Science Education and Outreach

Science outreach is the bridge between formal science education, public communication, and policy—it’s about engaging the wider public with science in meaningful ways. It can look like school visits, science fairs, art–science exhibits, or informal talks in cafes and libraries.

Professional societies now frame outreach as a core part of a scientist’s role, offering contests, webinars, and grants to help researchers connect with non‑experts. This shift reflects a growing recognition that a scientifically literate public is essential for tackling issues like climate change, health, and technology ethics.

Many programs literally take science on the road. The Maryland Science Center’s Traveling Science Program visits schools, homeschool co‑ops, and libraries across the Mid‑Atlantic, reaching more than 80,000 participants each year with assemblies and hands-on labs. This model reduces barriers for schools that may lack equipment, transportation, or specialized staff.

Universities are also opening their doors. Princeton’s Science Outreach initiative hosts large community events like "Spring Into Science," where hundreds of students engage in interactive exhibits, live demos, and workshops right inside research buildings. These experiences help young people see scientists and labs as approachable and relevant to their own lives.

Some outreach goes beyond a single event, immersing students in real research. Weill Cornell’s Catalyst Program, for example, pairs high school students with graduate or postdoctoral mentors for a six‑week biomedical research experience in active laboratories. Students not only do experiments but also join journal clubs and workshops, then present their work at a public symposium.

Programs like RockEDU at Rockefeller University emphasize inclusive, team-based research and mentorship, focusing on "supporting people first, science second" to cultivate diverse, curiosity-driven science communities. This people-centered model aims to make STEM pathways visible and attainable for students who might not otherwise imagine themselves as scientists.

At the national level, organizations like Society for Science run large-scale initiatives to expand inquiry-driven science education and literacy in middle and high schools. Their Science News Learning program provides thousands of schools and tens of thousands of educators with current science journalism, lesson plans, and professional development.

The same organization offers STEM Research Grants for classroom equipment and STEM Action Grants for community nonprofits, helping bring authentic research and engineering experiences to under-resourced settings. Federal agencies such as the Department of Energy, NASA, and NOAA also sponsor internships, competitions like the National Science Bowl, and teacher-at-sea programs to strengthen STEM education and workforce pipelines.

To reach new audiences, outreach increasingly taps into pop culture and creative media. Princeton’s "Swifty Science" event, for instance, used Taylor Swift songs to anchor hands-on activities in chemistry and physics, from dancing oobleck to memory metal experiments. By connecting science concepts to familiar music and stories, organizers lower the intimidation barrier and spark curiosity.

Professional societies such as the American Society for Cell Biology and the American Chemical Society support scientists with training, microgrants, and contests to experiment with new public formats—from 90‑second elevator talks to striking science images and videos. Combined with local school and community partnerships, these efforts are steadily reshaping science education into something more interactive, inclusive, and engaging for everyone.