Our Vision: Every Young Person Can Become a Scientist or Engineer
Society for Science is committed to expanding access to high-quality STEM education for all students. Increasing STEM literacy empowers students with the critical thinking and decision-making skills necessary to live healthy, civically engaged and economically productive lives. In fact, the Society was founded on the belief that science literacy is essential to a well-functioning society – that fact holds true now more than ever.
With one quarter of US jobs in STEM fields — and job growth in this sector predicted to outpace non-STEM fields — it is vital that all students have an opportunity to explore and experience STEM. Those who gain an interest in STEM must have an opportunity to pursue their passion, which can open the door to high-paying STEM careers. It is the only way to build the strong and diverse STEM talent pipeline necessary to solve our global challenges and ensure a thriving economy.
Our STEM Outreach Programs
Through the Society’s STEM Outreach Programs, we seek to ensure that any student can become a scientist or engineer if that’s what they want to do. We work to reach young people across the country – in every state and in urban and rural areas, regardless of their socio-economic status.
Science News Learning
Through Science News Learning, the Society is expanding student science literacy across the U.S. by supporting a community of nearly 6,000 middle and high schools and more than 17,000 educators with equitable access to Science News Media Group’s award-winning print and online journalism, an expansive library of ready-to-use lesson plans — each designed to incorporate recent applications in STEM research into core curricula — and STEM literacy professional development opportunities. This program operates in every state in U.S. and is open to all.
High School and Middle School Research Teachers Conferences
Through the High School and Middle School Research Teachers Conferences, the Society brings together research teachers of all experience levels to share best practices, troubleshoot challenges and learn more about Society for Science and the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Popular sessions have touched on supporting students in research communication and strategies for managing research projects. Participants in this all-expenses-paid, peer-led conference are selected via a lottery and any STEM teacher, regardless of where they live or where they teach, is invited to apply.
Advocate Program
The Advocate Program is a year-long professional development program that supports teachers and mentors who are working to increase the number of students who enter STEM research competitions. The Advocates receive training and support from Society staff, mentorship, a stipend, and an all-expense-paid trip to attend the Advocate Training Institute in Washington, D.C. Educators across the country who want to expand scientific research in their schools are encouraged to apply.
STEM Research Grants
The STEM Research Grant program is an initiative dedicated to expanding inquiry-driven science education in middle and high school classrooms nationwide. The grants come in two forms: (1) research kits assembled and distributed to teachers by Society for Science and (2) funds paid directly to teachers intended for STEM equipment. STEM educators whose classrooms would benefit from additional equipment are encouraged to apply.
STEM Action Grants
The STEM Action Grants program provides small grants of up to $5,000 to innovative nonprofit organizations led by social entrepreneurs. The program aims to bolster and support community-driven nonprofit organizations that are working to enhance the public’s understanding of science and to increase participation in STEM for all communities.
Our STEM Competitions
The Society’s three STEM competitions – the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC) – are all merit-based competitions. The Society is continually seeking to expand the number of students who apply to Regeneron STS or compete in one of the Society’s Affiliated STEM Fairs so that they can earn a spot to participate in Regeneron ISEF or apply to Thermo Fisher JIC
Our Impact
Society for Science has built the largest STEM talent pipeline in the world. Â Our pipeline starts with building science literacy, then we seek to cultivate the future of STEM talent and lastly, through our competitions, the Society inspires and engages the next generation of STEM talent.
