Extra credit assignments are often viewed with disdain by educators as opportunities to earn points for students that lack the study skills to do well on exams and quizzes. However, these assignments can serve as a platform for students to apply the course material to their own lives, optimizing their strengths and creativity, and encouraging them to take ownership of their learning. In this paper we discuss how we used extra credit assignments in a two-semester Human Anatomy and Physiology course to develop community outreach, art exhibits, and education events to empower our students and make science accessible to the public.