This document discusses open design and citizen science. It explores how open design, which allows for public contribution and modification of design projects, can form an alliance with citizen science, where members of the public engage in scientific research. Open design has the potential to increase participation in data collection and experimentation for citizen science projects by enabling anyone to improve sensor designs or build tools for scientific investigation through open collaboration and peer review. Forming connections between open design and citizen science communities could lead to new approaches in collaborative research that harness public interest and creativity.