Support Us

When you were in school, did you or a friend ever feel that science was too hard, science was not for you, or I don’t have what it takes to be a scientist? The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is working to break down barriers to science so that all students—regardless of gender, geography, race, native language, ability, or socio-economic status—are engaged and challenged in school and equipped to be scientifically literate global citizens who can innovate, compete, and thrive in a world of unprecedented scientific and technological change.

For 35 years, SSEC has combined the vast resources of the Smithsonian Institution and decades of education research to contributed new knowledge within the field of K–12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. We work directly with teachers, school and district leaders, and community stakeholders to articulate their shared vision and execute their STEM education strategic plans to ensure buy-in at all levels. We provide teachers and education leaders with high-quality professional and leadership development, along with ongoing support, to help them achieve their education goals. We promote active, inquiry-based K–12 STEM teaching and learning by creating award winning curriculum and a robust library of digital resource materials (online STEM games, eBooks, activities, simulations, and videos) for K–12 teachers and students. Our integrated system for sustainable reform has proven to increase student achievement not just in science, but in reading and math as well, especially for students who are economically disadvantaged, require special education, or are English language learners. The bonus is that this successful community-driven model can be used by other disciplines beyond science and STEM.

Our internationally recognized work in this field is transforming K–12 education through science in collaboration with communities across the globe. SSEC has served more than 1,000 school districts and state education agencies in all 50 U.S. states, and Ministries of Education in 43 countries. Our focus is global. Student-centered learning and teaching concentrating on real world issues, such as our new COVID-19 learning resources, which takes advantage of students’ natural curiosity to explore their world. We challenge students to think globally and act locally—we give them the scientific knowledge and tools to be agents of change in their communities and the world, not just in the future but right now.

As the formal education arm of the Smithsonian Institution—the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex—SSEC is uniquely positioned to use an interdisciplinary approach to bring science, history, art, and culture to children in classrooms all over the world. SSEC in collaboration with its partners—the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), and 14 Federal agency partners in CoSTEM—provides a unique and impressive platform of expertise and resources that will help us continue to transform K–12 education through science.

How Your Donation Helps

The Smithsonian Science Education Center receives no federally appropriated funds. We rely on gifts from people like you. Your support helps us pave the way to greater success and impact on a national, and international, scale.

Whatever your focus, your investment will be transformative. We are dedicated to continuing our work to affect inquiry-based engagement in schools until every classroom, teacher and student is reached. Please join us in fulfilling our vision: teaching the next generation to embrace scientific curiosity as the pathway to successful careers and lives.