The Smithsonian Science Education Center™ (SSEC) is a global leader in advancing high-quality, research-based science education for PreK–12 students. Its mission is to transform how science is taught and learned by developing instructional materials, assessments, and professional learning experiences that reflect how science is practiced in the real world.
Founded in 1985 as the National Science Resources Center (NSRC) through a unique partnership between the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academy of Sciences, the Center has more than three decades of experience supporting effective, equitable science education for all learners.
Today, the Smithsonian Science Education Center works with state, district, and school leaders to advance science education reform; supports the professional growth of teachers and instructional leaders; and leads research-driven curriculum and assessment development grounded in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
In partnership with Carolina Science, the exclusive publisher and provider of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™ and STCMS™, the Smithsonian Science Education Center brings evidence-based instructional resources to classrooms nationwide—helping educators engage students in asking questions, developing models, analyzing data, and thinking like scientists and engineers.
Together, Carolina and the Smithsonian Science Education Center deliver comprehensive solutions that support coherent science instruction, meaningful assessment of student understanding, and sustained improvement in science teaching and learning.
To learn more about the Center’s efforts, visit their website.