Our Mission
The Science Connected mission is to foster equity in education, create new STEM education pathways for historically underrepresented learners, and increase scientific literacy in under-resourced communities.
Our Values
Science Connected fosters equity in education, creates new STEM education pathways for historically underrepresented learners, and increases scientific literacy in under-resourced communities. We value lifelong learning, conservancy, and empowering others to make informed choices to support a healthy planet. We believe that cultivating an informed citizenry is vital to democracy. We support equitable, inclusive public education and using plain language to achieve clear and effective communication.
Climate Action is Urgent
Climate change is real, and humans caused a lot of it. But that’s no excuse to give up and do nothing; in fact, humans are the only species capable of reversing, or at least slowing, the effects of climate change and other ecosystem woes. A 2019 study conducted by Southern Cross University suggests that 77% of Americans and Australians want to learn how to live more sustainably. 93% of people surveyed expressed a general concern about the environment. And yet, Under the Trump administration, the United States became the first and only country to withdraw from the Paris Agreements, while the US Environmental Protection Agency rolled back many policies set to regulate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
There is a clear and present public need, as well as a desire, for free, informal education about environmentally-sustainable practices. The public wants and needs to know what research is being done and what they can do to preserve the planet for the enjoyment of their children, grandchildren, and beyond.
STEM Education is Needed
According to the National Science Foundation, only 21 percent of 12th grade students perform at or above grade level in science. We develop and distribute exciting, relevant, research-based resources for middle and high school science education, and give those resources to teachers and schools serving underprivileged students.
Why support science education?
Why should we invest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education? The benefits are many. We live in an era of constant scientific discovery and technological change. Science directly impacts our lives and requires our input as informed citizens. Moreover, as our economy increasingly depends on advanced in science and technology, new jobs are created in STEM fields. The success of nations depends on building a scientifically literate citizenry and a skilled, STEM-educated workforce.
Scientific literacy is essential to a post-industrial society. Companies often seek to hire STEM-literate employees, only to be met with a shortage of qualified applicants. By ensuring that all students have access to education in STEM subjects, we can close the so-called “skills gap.”
The Science Connected mission encompasses working with scientists and educators to provide children with the scientific knowledge that will help employ them, help them become the citizens, leaders, and innovators of tomorrow. But that’s not all. We also work with researchers, journalists, universities, and industry leaders to provide cutting-edge research findings to people of all ages who continue to change our world for the better.