This session will explore three projects aimed at expanding informal science education and science communication practices to include the benefits of science as seen through the eyes of the public, not only the scientific community. In the first, the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network in collaboration with the Center for Nanotechnology in Society has developed educational activities and professional development of educators to build societal implications and public policy perspectives into science museum exhibits and programs. In the second, World Wide Views on Biodiversity engaged citizens in 25 countries globally in formulating lay perspectives on international public policy issues shared at the United Nations Eleventh Conference of the Parties (COP 11) meeting in India in October 2012. University and informal educators partnered to conduct the consultations in the U.S. and to engage the broader public in the issues nationwide. Presenters will share the outcomes of these projects together with relevant evaluation results and will offer access to educational materials that are freely available for others to use. The third project is the start of planning by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Association of Science-Technology Centers for a future citizen engagement about the societal implications and potential future impacts of synthetic biology. This session will present the case for such a consultation and engage the audience in brainstorming ideas for this project.