Organizations that support science outreach

The websites below are great sources of information about all things outreach. They include examples of outreach projects, lists of successful funding applications and relevant evaluation methods.

• Informal science
  A growing online community site that strives to support knowledge-sharing, collaboration and the growth of innovation among diverse professionals in the field of informal science education.
• howtosmile
  Collects the best educational materials on the web and creates learning activities, tools and services — all designed especially for those who teach school-aged kids outside a classroom setting.
• AAAS Trellis
  Online database offering “a single place for anyone in science to engage with all of the communities to which they belong.”
• National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement
  UK-based site providing guidance and materials for academic institutions seeking to reach a wide audience. 

Organizations

These organizations are involved with organizing and supporting public outreach activities and programs.

• Association of Science-Technology Centers
  A nonprofit organization of science centers and museums dedicated to furthering public engagement with science among increasingly diverse audiences.
• Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education
  Works to advance and improve informal science education by catalyzing conversation and collaboration across the field.
• Coalition for Public Understanding of Science
  A grassroots effort to engage the public in science and increase public understanding of the nature of science and its value to society.
• Science Cafes
  The main aggregator and organizer for all things science cafe.
• Science Festival Alliance
  Coordinates science festivals across the country.

Funding

In addition to the ASBMB, several different organizations provide funding for science outreach and informal education activities. Science-oriented companies have philanthropic foundations that support educational initiatives.

• 3M
  A catalyst for cooperative approaches that engage students in science and math to make connections to everyday life and future careers.
• Abbott Fund
  Creates healthier communities worldwide by investing in ideas that promote science and medical innovation, expand access to health care, and strengthen communities around the globe.
• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
  Interested in projects that have a high expected return to society and for which funding from the private sector, government or other foundations is not yet widely available.
• Honda
  Helps meet the needs of American society in the areas of youth and scientific education by awarding grants to nonprofits while strategically assisting communities in deriving long-term benefits.
• Biogen
  Improves the quality of people’s lives and contributes to the vitality of the communities in which it operates, with a special emphasis on innovative ways to promote science literacy and encourage young people to consider science careers.
• Burroughs Wellcome Fund
  Advances the biomedical sciences by supporting research and other scientific and educational activities.
• Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
  Helps individuals attain economic independence by advancing educational achievement and entrepreneurial success, consistent with the aspirations of its founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman.
• ExxonMobil
  Encourages careers in the math and science fields.
• GlaxoSmithKline
  Supports innovative health and education programs designed to bring sustainable, positive change across America.
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  Enhances science education for students at all levels, from the earliest grades through advanced training.
• Intel Foundation
  Improves the educational opportunities and quality of life for communities worldwide.
• Northrop Grumman
  Provides unique education experiences related to STEM for students and teachers.
• Dow
  Connects the world with chemistry, with the wonder of the elements.
• The Kavli Foundation
  Advances science for the benefit of humanity, promotes public understanding of scientific research, and supports scientists and their work.
• Merck
  Fosters educational opportunity, eliminates achievement gaps among disadvantaged people, and expands quality education in science.
• Society for Science and the Public
  Works to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders through grants, media outreach and activities.

Government agencies

Several agencies within the federal government run their own formal and informal STEM education programs. These entities also offer grant programs and funding that support external programs.

Department of Defense

Within the Department of Defense, each of the three major branches of the military funds STEM educational programs.

• Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  Discovers, shapes and champions basic science that profoundly impacts the future Air Force.
• Army Educational Outreach Program
  Engages and guides students and teachers in STEM education.
• Office of Naval Research
  Fosters an interest in, knowledge of and study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics nationwide to ensure an educated and well-prepared naval and national STEM workforce.
• National Defense Education Program
  Fosters a new generation of scientists, mathematicians, engineers and technologists who will one day discover and problem solve in the nation’s defense laboratories.

Department of Education

The Department of Education promotes student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.

• Office of Innovation and Improvement
  Makes strategic investments in innovative educational programs and practices.
• Office of Postsecondary Education
  Administers programs that broaden access to higher education and strengthen the capacity of colleges and universities.
• Math and Science Partnership
  Raises the achievement levels of all students and significantly reduces achievement gaps in the STEM performance of diverse student populations.

Department of Energy

The Department of Energy provides funding for several fellowships, along with research training, and sponsors STEM events like the National Science Bowl and Solar Decathlon.

• Office of Science
  Reaches out to America’s youth in grades K-12 and their teachers to help improve students’ knowledge of science and mathematics and their understanding of global energy and environmental challenges.
• STEM education programs and resources
  The Department of Energy has many programs, internships, scholarships and research opportunities focused on developing the next generation of STEM professionals.

Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency seeks to engage and empower communities and partners in order to support and advance environmental protection and human health nationwide. 

• Environmental Education Program
  Leads and coordinates EPA programs to provide national leadership in promoting environmental literacy.
• President’s Environmental Youth Awards
  Honors a wide variety of environmental projects developed by young individuals, K-12 classes, summer camps, public interest groups and youth organizations to promote environmental awareness.
• Environmental Education Grants
  Supports environmental education projects.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Public education plays a strong role in every one of the separate missions within NASA.

• Aeronautics Research Mission Education Program
  Develops the future NASA aeronautics workforce, contributes to aeronautics research goals and objectives, and supports agency education and communication goals.
• Headquarters Education Programs
  Strengthens NASA and the nation’s future workforce, attracts and retains students in STEM disciplines, and engages Americans in NASA’s mission.
• Human Exploration and Operations Mission Education/Public Outreach
  Informs and educates the public about NASA’s plans for a new era in space exploration.
• Science Mission Education and Public Outreach Program
  Enhances the nation’s formal education system and contributes to the broad public understanding of science, mathematics and technology.

National Institutes of Health

Several of the individual institutes and centers across the NIH sponsor outreach and education programs.

• Office of the Director Science Education Partnership Awards program
  Increases the pipeline of future scientists and clinicians, especially from minority, underserved and rural K-12 students, and engages and educates the general public with the health-related advances made possible by NIH-funded research.
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Science Education Programs  
  Translates and applies research findings about the science of alcohol use and abuse in a variety of formal and informal educational settings.
• National Institute of Mental Health Outreach Partnership Program
  Works to increase the public’s access to science-based mental health information through partnerships with national and state organizations.
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Office of Science Education & Diversity
  Coordinates local, state and national outreach efforts designed to raise the awareness of students, teachers, parents and scientists regarding the mission, research and goals of the institute.
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Short-Term Education Program for Underrepresented Persons
  Builds and sustains a biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social science research pipeline focused on NIDDK mission areas.
• National Human Genome Research Institute Education and Community Involvement Branch
  Develops education and community involvement programs to engage a broad range of the public in understanding genomics and accompanying ethical, legal and social issues.
• National Institute of General Medical Science Education
  Strengthens public understanding and appreciation of science.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The education mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is to “advance environmental literacy and promote a diverse workforce in ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, weather and climate sciences, encouraging stewardship and increasing informed decision making for the nation.”

• National Sea Grant College Program
  Promotes better understanding, conservation and use of America’s coastal resources.
• Office of Education
  Implements and manages scholarship programs aimed at fostering American competitiveness in science by providing quality educational opportunities for the next generation and also offers competitive grant programs at the national and regional levels to promote environmental literacy efforts through collaboration with external partners.
• Teacher at Sea Program
  Provides teachers hands-on, real-world research experience working at sea with world-renowned NOAA scientists, thereby giving them insight into oceanic and atmospheric research crucial to the nation.
• National Ocean Service Education
  Builds ocean, coastal and climate literacy for students and educators.

National Science Foundation

At the National Science Foundation, education is a central component for funding programs within every directorate.

• Advancing Informal STEM Learning
  Increases interest in, engagement with and understanding of STEM by individuals of all ages and backgrounds through self-directed STEM learning experiences.
• Discovery Research K-12 program
  Enables significant advances in K-12 student and teacher learning of the STEM disciplines.
• Advanced Technological Education
  Promotes improvement in the education of science and engineering technicians at the undergraduate and secondary school levels.
• Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers
  Responds to current concerns and projections about the growing demand for STEM professionals in the U.S. and seeks solutions to help ensure the breadth and depth of the STEM workforce.
• Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring
  Identifies and supports outstanding mentoring efforts that enhance the participation and retention of individuals who might not otherwise have considered or had access to opportunities in STEM.
• Tribal Colleges and Universities Program
  Promotes high quality STEM education, research and outreach at Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions.

United States Department of Agriculture

Educational funding from the Department of Agriculture helps provide federal leadership in creating and disseminating knowledge spanning the biological, physical and social sciences related to agricultural research, economic analysis, statistics, extension and higher education.

• National Institute of Food and Agriculture K-12 and Higher Education Programs
  Funds programs that promote education in the food and agricultural sciences.
• USDA/1890 National Scholars Program
  Increases the number of minorities studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences and other related disciplines.