CityScience

What CityScience does

CityScience is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 in New York City that delivers place-based STEM education to K-8 students, using the city's natural and built environments as a learning laboratory. Headquartered in DUMBO, Brooklyn, the organization offers two core program formats: 10-week "Explorations" (Food in the Big Apple, Circuit City, Invertebrate Metropolis) delivered by trained instructors with bundled curriculum and supplies, and multi-year "Partnerships" such as the Building Robotics track (101-401) that progresses teams toward FIRST LEGO League competitions with dedicated STEM coaching, technical assistance, materials, and stipends. An optional Lending Library add-on ($100 kit-refresh fee) enables clients to independently run a second 10-week session after initial onboarding.

The business model blends fee-for-service program delivery with diversified nonprofit funding. School and after-school clients pay $345/week per Exploration and a $12,420 annual Robotics Partnership buy-in that covers roughly one-third of total cost of services. Revenue is supplemented by government contracts (notably NYC Department of Youth & Community Development for SONYC after-school and citywide summer programs), corporate sponsorships (Pinkerton Foundation, DataCubed, LES Ecology Center, Whole Foods Market), individual donations structured as both monthly recurring ($30-$300) and one-time ($50-$500) gifts, and in-kind support (e.g., City Harvest ingredients). Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on direct NYC school and CBO partnerships, a public STEM Map ecosystem tool, and presence at events like DYCD's "Day of Wonder" and FIRST LEGO League competitions. CityScience claims 74+ partner schools and CBOs, 90+ lifetime clients, and historical reach to 98 National Urban League affiliates via an 18-month National STEM Coach engagement; current operating status as of the available data is active but post-2018 momentum is not verifiable from the inputs.

Name

CityScience

Legal name

CityScience

Website

https://cityscience.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CityScience is a NYC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers place-based, hands-on STEM education programs (10-week Explorations and multi-year Robotics Partnerships) to K-8 students in schools, after-sites, and community organizations across New York City.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-8 STEM Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Earth Science & Geoscience Programs (EDAMABAI), Sustainable Cities, Urban Development & Green Infrastructure (BPADALAL), Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL)

Keywords

• STEM education programs
• K-8 science curriculum
• After-school enrichment
• Place-based learning
• Robotics education

Headquarters

HQ city

Croton On Hudson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Fees charged to schools and after-school programs for Explorations ($345/week) and Robotics Partnerships ($12,420/year buy-in). These are service fees for direct STEM education programs delivered to K-8 students.
2. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide funding and in-kind support. Lead sponsors include Pinkerton Foundation, DataCubed, LES Ecology Center, and Whole Foods Market who sponsor specific programs.
3. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals at various levels ($30-300/month recurring, $50-500 one-time) supporting teacher workshops, LEGO tournament registrations, field trips, and program supplies.
4. Government Contracts: Contracts with NYC Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD) to provide summer and after-school STEM programs citywide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CityScience is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that designs and delivers place-based STEM curricula to K-8 students in New York City. The organization provides on-site programming in public schools, after-school programs, and community-based organizations, using a city-as-classroom model to teach science, technology, engineering, and math.

Product overview

CityScience is a nonprofit STEM education organization that offers two main program types: Explorations (short-term 10-week programs) and Partnerships (long-term capacity building). The Explorations portfolio includes Food in the Big Apple (nutrition and cooking), Circuit City (electricity and coding), and Invertebrate Metropolis (biology). The Building Robotics Partnership provides long-term robotics education including LEGO Mindstorms and FIRST LEGO League competition preparation. An optional Lending Library allows clients to run programs independently after the initial session.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Explorations Place-based STEM curriculum program delivered on-site to K-8 students in NYC public schools, after-school programs, and community-based organizations.
• Food in the Big Apple (FITBA) Place-based STEM program focused on food, nutrition, and urban food systems, teaching K-8 students about science through the lens of New York City's food environment.
• Circuit City STEM program that teaches K-8 students about electrical circuits and engineering through hands-on, place-based learning activities.
• Invertebrate Metropolis STEM program exploring urban invertebrate biology and ecology, enabling K-8 students to study insects and other invertebrates in New York City environments.
• Building Robotics Partnership STEM program that partners with building engineering and robotics entities to teach K-8 students about robotics, construction, and engineering design.
• Lending Library Resource lending program that provides STEM materials, kits, and equipment to schools, after-school programs, and community-based organizations for hands-on learning.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,000 students visited Lowline Lab and connected activities to STEM concepts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• City HarvestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood rescue organization providing ingredients for cooking programs, helping fight hunger while supporting STEM education.
• SAYA (South Asian Youth Action)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRobotics Partnership site for 2.5 years, hosting FIRST LEGO League teams and providing girls' leadership in STEM programs.
• Brooklyn Bridge Park ConservancycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUses CityScience curricula to teach history and engineering of Brooklyn Bridge; host site for environmental STEM activities.
• Lowline Development CorporationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCityScience developed 9 activities for Lowline Lab, connecting STEM learning to underground park technology. 3,000 students visited during program period.
• National Urban LeaguecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCityScience served as National STEM Coach, providing practical tools and trainings to 98 NUL affiliates nationwide for 18 months.
• NYC First Lego LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobotics competition organization that CityScience prepares teams to compete in, providing tournament venues and official FLL competition structure.
• Partnership for After School Education (PASE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCityScience joined Strengthening STEM initiative with Hall of Science, TASC, Cornell, and FHI 360, training 100 Master trainers at 30 organizations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ScriptEd: NYC-based nonprofit that provides coding and computer science education to students in under-resourced schools. Comparable as a NYC STEM education nonprofit serving K-12 students in schools and after-school programs.
• Global Kids: NYC-based nonprofit providing educational programs for underserved youth, including STEM and civic engagement. Directly comparable in mission, target population (NYC youth), and capacity-building program model.
• ExpandEd: NYC nonprofit dedicated to expanding learning opportunities for NYC public school students. The board treasurer connection to ExpandEd (formerly TASC Science Manager) signals direct organizational overlap in after-school STEM capacity building.
• The After-School Corporation (TASC): NYC-based nonprofit that builds the capacity of after-school programs. A former CityScience partner (PASE/TASC) and a board member connection; comparable in operating model of training educators and supporting after-school STEM delivery.
• Citizen Schools: National nonprofit providing after-school and expanded learning programs that include STEM enrichment and real-world project-based learning. Comparable in expanded-learning model and STEM focus for underserved middle-school youth.
• Iridescent: National nonprofit that runs STEM education programs for underserved youth, including family engagement and mentor networks. Comparable in mission, capacity-building approach, and STEM education focus for under-resourced communities.
• mouse (MOUSE.org): NYC-based nonprofit that empowers youth to create with technology through STEM and maker education programs in schools and community sites. Highly comparable in target audience (K-12 NYC youth), in-school/in-CBO delivery model, and STEM focus.

Broad incumbents

• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): National nonprofit running FIRST LEGO League and other K-12 robotics competitions. A direct CityScience partner; comparable as the dominant K-12 STEM/robotics competition platform that CityScience prepares teams for.
• New York Hall of Science (NYSCI): NYC-based science museum and STEM education institution that partnered with CityScience in the PASE Strengthening STEM initiative. Comparable in NYC STEM education focus and after-school capacity building.

Emerging players

• MakerState: STEM education provider focused on maker education and project-based learning in NYC schools and camps. Comparable in K-8 STEM focus and direct service delivery in school and after-school settings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cityscienceorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/CityScienceOrg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cityscience

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CityScience