2021-2026 Strategic Plan
Our Mission
The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is an education organization within the Smithsonian Institution. The SSEC’s mission is Transforming K-12 Education Through Science™ in collaboration with communities across the globe.
Our Work
As the only organization of the Smithsonian to focus on formal K-12 Science Education, we leverage the unparalleled network of scientists and artifacts across the Smithsonian’s museums, and research centers, bringing the science of this institution to students where they are—into their classrooms and homes. We do our work in two ways: (1) by developing and disseminating educational resources and (2) by offering professional development to science educators and leaders.
Our Priorities
Innovation: Promote active, inquiry-based teaching and learning in K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.
Inclusion: Ensure all students and teachers are included in STEM opportunities and recognize themselves in STEM.
Sustainability: Advance K-12 STEM education for a more sustainable future.
Our Goals
The SSEC achieves its programatic goals by:
- Developing exemplary standards-aligned curriculum materials and digital resources Smithsonian Science for the Classroom and Science and Technology Concepts for Middle School (STCMS), and our Smithsonian Science for Global Goals community research guides aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals).
- Supporting the professional growth of K-12 teachers and school leaders.
- Building awareness for STEM education and providing leadership development through our Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) model and our Network for Emergent Socio-scientific Thinking (NESST).
- Engaging in outreach and research to help schools, school districts, state education agencies, and ministries of education implement transdisciplinary, inquiry-based science education programs.
The SSEC achieves its pan-institutional goals by:
- Demonstrating that we are committed to collaborate with our Smithsonian colleagues, federal partners, and National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), and InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) colleagues to translate scientific research and collections into meaningful tools and convenings for K–12 teachers and students to spark their interest in STEM.
- Ensureing a sustainable and scientifically literate planet.
The SSEC achieves its operational goals by:
- Aligning with the work of our Finance and Administration, Advancement and Partnerships, and Executive Office.
- Transforming SSEC’s effectiveness and excellence, and position SSEC for success by achieving its organizational imperatives.
For more information about how we are achieving these goals download our Annual Report.