What exactly do we mean by civic engagement? Does it imply a way of thinking about knowledge in a democratic society? Or does it require personal action in a civic context? For the readers of this handbook, what relevance does civic education have for our role as science teachers? This chapter will explore three related perspectives. First, the author examines how John Dewey viewed the relationship between the educated individual and democratic society. Next, he highlights the ways in which contemporary authors are exploring the connection between science and civic engagement, both in broad terms and in specific applications. Finally, he summarizes the results of a recent survey that examined the civic viewpoints of high school and college students.