Science Buddies

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"I recommend Science Buddies as an exemplary partner in sparking interest in science education, with an emphasis on 'partner.' Science Buddies has a unique flexibility that allows us both to seamlessly connect the pieces of our various initiatives, and more than a decade of experience in making the latest cutting-edge science relevant and accessible to students." 

-- Kris Fortman, Director, Global Engagement, Medtronic

Program Type

Hands on/Project-Based

Target Audience

All Students

Location

Nationwide

Grades

Grades 6 - 8
Grades 9 - 12

 Accomplished link

Program Impact

Science Buddies is one of the world's most popular science websites, having reached more than 16.9 million students, parents in teachers with award-winning ideas and other support for science projects. Young people who complete Science Buddies projects regularly report high enthusiasm for science and say they learned more than in a typical science class. Science Buddies is preparing to strengthen its hands-on science resources parents and afterschool educators can use with students outside the school day.

 

Program Overview

The award-winning, non-profit Science Buddies empowers K-12 students, parents, and teachers to quickly and easily find free project ideas and help in all areas of science from physics to food science and music to microbiology. Whether your goal is to find a fun science activity for your kids or win the international science fair, sciencebuddies.org puts comprehensive, scientist-authored tools, tips, and techniques at your fingertips.
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Science Buddies mission is to help students from all walks of life to build their literacy in science and technology so they can become productive and engaged citizens in the 21st century. We have created personalized learning tools, over 15,000 pages of scientist-developed subject matter (including experiments based on the latest academic research), and an online community of science professionals who volunteer to advise students.

We also provide resources to support parents and teachers as they guide students doing hands-on science projects. Representing much more than a website, Science Buddies quickly and efficiently matches students with the information that will hold their interest and answer their questions. We provide a bridge between scientists and students, giving students access to current scientific research and simultaneously giving scientists a way to reach out to young people interested in their fields.

 

How To Get Involved

Science Buddies is seeking funding to create user-friendly, hands-on science activities to help parents and other adults engage 1,000,000 young people a year in STEM outside of the school day. In addition, Science Buddies is seeking funds to create the 21st-century's answer to the chemistry set: hands-on science and technology kits to give young people more opportunities to tinker and experiment in STEM.The initiative also offers hundreds of scientists and other STEM professionals volunteer opportunities to create and review ideas for science projects and offer students guidance in online forums.

Contacts

Jayme Burke, Vice President
jayme@sciencebuddies.org
650-560-8730

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Design Principles

The programs in this database clear a high bar. STEMworks reviewed each program against the Design Principles for Effective STEM Philanthropy.

  • Accomplished
  • Developing
  • Undeveloped

Overarching Principles

  • Need

    Identify and target a compelling and well-defined need.

  • Evaluation

    Use rigorous evaluation to continuously measure and inform progress towards the compelling need identified.

  • Sustainability

    Ensure work is sustainable.

  • Replication and Scalability

    Demonstrate replicability and scalability.

  • Partnerships

    Create high impact partnerships

  • Capacity

    Ensure organizational capacity to achieve goals.

STEM Principles

  • Challenging and Relevant Content

    Offer challenging and relevant STEM content for the target audience

  • STEM Practices

    Incorporate and encourage STEM practices.

  • Inspiration

    Inspire interest and engagement in STEM.

  • Under-Represented Groups

    Identify and address the needs of under-represented groups.