As essential as it is to our daily lives, science is often relegated to the background. Its advancements take place in laboratories and classrooms that aren’t open to the public, meaning that it’s easy for life-changing discoveries to slip past us. But in spite of that, there are plenty of exciting ways to get involved with science without having to be an expert. Chicago Ideas collected five different science-based organizations that you can get involved with right now, offering you ways to learn, assist and spread the message of science in your daily life.

Future of Intelligence: Human, Machine and Extraterrestrial

On May 11, Chicago Ideas will host an event looking at the future of intelligence, seeing three of the leading minds in the field discussing what the future of the human race might look like. If you’ve ever been curious if artificial intelligence is a real possibility, or if contact with extraterrestrials is a realistic occurrence, this is the Conversation for you. As we continue to wonder what our future holds, Dartmouth physicist Marcelo Gleiser, philosopher Patricia Churchland and Jill Tarter, the astronomer who was the basis for Jodie Foster’s character in the film Contact, will shed some light on the topic. Here, you’ll see what the future of Earth looks like, offering a microscopic look at what might be next for us. What’s more, you can go to a screening of Contact the night before at the Logan Theatre, hosted by WBEZ‘s The Nerdette.

March For Science

On Earth Day—this Saturday, April 22—the March For Science will take place in downtown Chicago. Beginning at 10am, the march will take people down to Chicago’s Museum Campus for a science expo that will offer further activation for those looking for a way to get involved. The March For Science’s goal is one that organizers describe as promoting “an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible science that aims to serve all communities.” For those that can’t march, it’s still possible to donate to the cause, ensuring that inclusive, nonpartisan science is a viable part of our shared future.

Scientific American’s 60-Second Science podcast

Making science digestible is no easy feat but Scientific American has been at the forefront of this since 1845. The magazine has worked its way into our modern landscape by launching the 60-Second Science podcast, a tightly-edited work that explains a concept in a way that’s conversational and downright fun. Pair these with the 60-Second Mind and 60-Second Tech podcasts, and you get a good deal of knowledge in less than 10 minutes.

ChickTech

Though the fields of technology and science are often split apart, their link to one another remains indelible. Often times, the advancements going on in one field begets growth in the other. And while events like the March For Science champion inclusiveness, ChickTech makes that its entire model. By offering events that encourage women to enter the field, giving support and empowerment to those hoping to turn their interest in technology into a career, ChickTech works to make this space as inclusive as it always should have been. With chapters spread across the United States there are plenty of ways to get involved, be it through a donation of time or money.

Chicago Science Festival

This Friday, tickets go on sale for the third annual Chicago Science Festival. With an event highlighting how science is an art form on Thursday, May 18, and a full day of programs and demos on Saturday, May 20, the Chicago Science Festival functions as a science fair that’s geared toward adults. It’s full list of speakers, topics and demos will be announced soon, but be sure to grab tickets before they vanish.