Get Involed
Discover how to join the TOPSTSCHOOL community — whether you're an expert, contributor, or passionate about inclusive, open science. Learn how to collaborate, share knowledge, and make an impact in science education.
TOPSTSCHOOL Development Team
Open Science Contributor
We’re thrilled you’re interested in being part of the TOPSTSCHOOL community!
We believe in the power of collaboration as an important practice of open science in research. Whether you’re a Subject Matter Expert (SME), an open science enthusiast, or a newcomer excited to contribute, this guide will help you find your place in the movement.
From what we see, every contributor plays a vital role in our mission to create tools, tutorials, and resources that break down barriers to scientific knowledge. Your enthusiasm, whether you’re new to contributing or a seasoned professional, makes this community vibrant and impactful.
Why Contribute?
The NASA's Transform to Open Science (TOPS) Training initiative advocates for open science, a transformative approach to research that emphasizes transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration. By contributing you’re helping to:
Empower researchers, scientists and educators by providing clear, accessible resources.
Break down barriers to knowledge by creating tools and lessons that are openly available.
Foster a global community of learners dedicated to science and innovation.
Ways to Contribute
Become a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Are you an expert in climate, water, disasters, air quality, agriculture, or environmental justice? Join our advisory team and:
Provide expert input for thematic learning modules.
Participate in hybrid workshops and sprints.
Promote Open Science values through your guidance.
- email:
Join the Open Science Team Collaborate with educators and researchers to build FAIR, ethical learning tools. As a team member, you’ll:
Join collaborative workshops and content development sprints.
Offer feedback and improve module accessibility.
Champion inclusivity in pedagogy and design.
- email:
Contribute to the Documentation Ready to roll up your sleeves? Our documentation and learning resources are all open and maintained by contributors like you.
Here’s how to get started:
Explore the repository and structure. Understand where files live and what they do.
Learn the tools. We use Sphinx and reStructuredText (rST) for documentation. They’re beginner-friendly and powerful.
Make your first contribution. Whether it’s fixing a typo, improving a guide, or adding a new section, your effort counts.
Let’s Build the Future of Open Science Together
TOPSTSCHOOL is more than a platform—it’s a community-driven movement. With your help, we can make science education:
Accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Collaborative and continuously improving.
Transparent and rooted in ethical, inclusive practice.
Your contributions, no matter the size, ripple outward, touching the lives of people across the globe and paving the way for transformative scientific discoveries. Every effort you make is a part of something larger than all of us, and we are genuinely grateful to have you on this journey with us.