Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) was established in 1985 as the National Science Resources Center (NSRC) under the sponsorship of two prestigious institutions: the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academy of Sciences. In 2012, our name changed to the Smithsonian Science Education Center to reflect our mission: to transform and improve the learning and teaching of science for K-12 students. We are dedicated to the establishment of effective science programs for all students. To contribute to that goal, the SSEC builds awareness for K-12 science education reform among state and district leaders and Ministries of Education; conducts programs that support the professional growth of K-12 teachers and school leaders; and engages in research and curriculum development, including our comprehensive K-8, research-based science curriculum program: Science and Technology Concepts (STC), Science and Technology Concepts Middle School (STCMS), STC-Kindergarten, and our newest curriculum, Smithsonian Science for the Classroom. We have impacted all 50 of the United States and supported the systemic needs of over 1000 schools, districts, states, and teams from Ministries of Education across 43 countries through our proven Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) model, which we now know leads to higher student achievement in science and improved science teaching and learning. Legal: http://s.si.edu/legal