Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)

What Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) does

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is the only unit within the Smithsonian Institution dedicated solely to formal K-12 education, founded in 1985 and headquartered in Washington, D.C. SSEC develops inquiry-based STEM curriculum, professional development programs, and digital learning resources aimed at K-12 educators, students, and district administrators. Its core product portfolio includes Smithsonian Science for the Classroom (a K-5 curriculum published and distributed by Carolina Science that received All-Green ratings from EdReports for grades 3-5), Smithsonian Science for Global Goals (a UN Sustainable Development Goals-aligned series available free in multiple languages), STCMS middle-school curriculum, and digital games such as Aquation and Global Health Connect. Professional development is delivered through the research-validated LASER (Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform) systemic reform model, the Good Thinking! video series, the Strategic Planning Institute, and annual Science Education Leadership Summits that engaged 21 district leadership teams at Howard University in 2025.

SSEC is structured as a federally chartered nonprofit educational center within the Smithsonian Institution, a trust instrumentality of the U.S. government, and does not have external investors or venture backing. Revenue comes primarily from foundation and corporate grants (Caterpillar Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Shell Oil Company, General Motors), publishing/licensing royalties through Carolina Science, and individual donations processed via the Smithsonian donation infrastructure. Many of SSEC's core resources — including the Water! Guide, Smithsonian Science for Global Goals series, and digital games — are distributed free of charge globally, while paid curriculum products are priced through publishing partners. The organization operates around three intertwined goals: Innovation, Inclusion, and Sustainability, with global reach extending to Southeast Asia, West Africa, and Western Europe through translated resources and international summits.

Name

Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)

Legal name

Smithsonian Science Education Center

Website

https://ssec.si.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) develops inquiry-based K-12 STEM curriculum, professional development programs, and digital learning resources for educators, students, and school districts globally, operating as a nonprofit center within the Smithsonian Institution and funded primarily through foundation grants and publishing partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 STEM Education

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & STEM Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), STEM & Computer Science Curriculum (EDAGAAAB), STEM Research & Inquiry Programs (Research Mentorship, Science Fair Prep) (EDAMABAC)

Keywords

• K-12 STEM education
• Science curriculum
• Professional development
• Inquiry-based learning
• Educational resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Corporate Grants: SSEC receives funding from foundations and corporations including Caterpillar Foundation ($2.3M over three years for STEM and AI education), Johnson & Johnson, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Shell Oil Company, and General Motors for specific programs and initiatives.
2. Curriculum Publishing Partnerships: Curriculum products distributed through publishing partners like Carolina Science, with the Smithsonian Science for the Classroom curriculum published and sold through Carolina's distribution network.
3. Donations and Philanthropy: Individual donations supported through the Smithsonian's donation infrastructure, with the Director's Circle as a major donor recognition program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Smithsonian Science Education Center develops and distributes K-12 STEM curriculum, educational resources, and professional development programs for educators and school districts. Its core products include Smithsonian Science for the Classroom (K-5), Smithsonian Science for Global Goals (UN SDGs-aligned guides), STCMS middle school curriculum, and the LASER Model systemic reform framework. The center delivers professional development through video series, leadership summits, and strategic planning institutes, all supported by foundation and corporate grants.

Product overview

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) offers a comprehensive portfolio of K-12 STEM education products and professional development programs. The core curriculum offerings include Smithsonian Science for the Classroom (K-5 curriculum published by Carolina Science, EdReports All-Green rated), Smithsonian Science for Global Goals (UN Sustainable Development Goals-aligned guides), STCMS (Science & Technology Concepts/Molecular Machines curriculum), Smithsonian Science Stories (literacy-focused), Science for Makerspaces, and Computational Thinking resources. Professional development is delivered through the research-tested LASER Model framework, Good Thinking! video series, Strategic Planning Institute, and Science Education Leadership Summit. Leadership programs include Zero Barriers in STEM Education, NESST, and Smithsonian STEAM Schools. Digital offerings encompass educational games (Aquation, Global Health Connect, Whale Protection Corps) and the Stories of Women in STEM eBook series. Outreach programs include Smithsonian Science Summer School and Smithsonian Youth STEM Exchange. SSEC's work is organized around three strategic goals: Innovation, Inclusion, and Sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smithsonian Science for the Classroom: K-5 curriculum aligned to standards with All-Green ratings from EdReports
• Smithsonian Science for Global Goals
• STCMS
• Good Thinking!
• Zero Barriers in STEM Education
• LASER Model
• Earth Optimism

Products and services

• Smithsonian Science for the Classroom K-5 STEM curriculum aligned to standards with All-Green EdReports ratings, demonstrating full standards alignment, coherence, and usability. Published and distributed through Carolina Science publishing partnership for classroom adoption by elementary teachers and students.
• Smithsonian Science for Global Goals Series of educational guides aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals covering water, energy, biodiversity, climate action, sustainable communities, and agriculture for youth ages 11-18, designed for inquiry-based learning about real-world sustainability issues.
• STCMS (Science and Technology Concepts) Research-based, inquiry-driven middle school science curriculum covering topics including Matter and Its Interactions, designed for hands-on STEM learning.
• Smithsonian Science Stories Literacy-focused science curriculum connecting science content with reading and language development for K-12 classrooms.
• Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces Hands-on STEM activities designed for makerspace environments, encouraging creativity and innovation among K-12 students.
• Smithsonian Science for Computational Thinking Educational resources focused on developing computational thinking skills integrated with science education for K-12 students.
• Good Thinking! Professional development video series and resource for science educators exploring common student misconceptions and effective teaching strategies grounded in education research. Developed with FableVision Studios.
• LASER Model Research-tested systemic reform model for transforming science education with five components: research-based curriculum, professional development, materials support, community/administrative support, and assessment. Proven effective in five-year studies for school districts.
• Strategic Planning Institute Intensive week-long institute in Washington, DC where leadership teams develop strategic plans for transforming science education using the LASER model framework.
• Smithsonian Science Education Leadership Summit Multiday summit at partnering universities with goal to recruit, retain, and support 50,000 new and existing STEM teachers by 2030. Teams create action plans for building STEM teaching workforce.
• Zero Barriers in STEM Education Initiative focused on accessibility and inclusion in STEM education, including sourcebook and accessibility workbook providing strategies for Universal Design for Learning in K-12 STEM classrooms.
• Network for Emergent Socio-Scientific Thinking (NESST) Network focused on developing emergent socio-scientific thinking among K-12 students through STEM education.
• Smithsonian STEAM Schools of Distinction Program for education toward a more sustainable future integrating STEAM disciplines for participating K-12 schools.
• Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game Digital educational game focused on freshwater access and sustainability education for students.
• Global Health Connect Digital educational game focused on global health education for students.
• Whale Protection Corps Interactive educational game focused on whale protection and marine conservation education for students.
• Pick Your Plate: A Global Guide to Nutrition Digital educational game focused on global nutrition and food systems education for students.
• Stories of Women in STEM eBook Series eBook series celebrating women in STEM fields, including volumes on Artificial Intelligence, Climate Health, Energy, and Space, with translations in multiple languages.
• Smithsonian Science Summer School (S4) Summer school program bringing Smithsonian science education to K-12 students during summer months.
• Smithsonian Youth STEM Exchange Program enabling youth STEM exchange and engagement across communities for K-12 students.
• English Learners in STEM Resources and professional development focused on supporting English learners in STEM education, including language scaffolding strategies for teachers.
• Building Awareness for Science Education (BASE) Initial step in collaborative process engaging communities to improve teaching and learning of STEM through half-day or full-day programs.
• Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (SSEAT) Professional development academies bridging formal and informal science education for K-12 teachers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Significant gains in science, reading, and math test scores demonstrated through five-year LASER model study
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• MultipureminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026Multipure donated 100 drinking water test kits to support development of the Water! Guide educational resource for students ages 11-18. Kits distributed to volunteer teachers globally for hands-on STEM lessons on water quality testing.
• Howard UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSEC collaborated with Howard University on NSF INCLUDES Planning Grant for Building Networks in the K-12 STEM Teaching Workforce project. Jointly hosted 2-day virtual STEM Education Summit Alumni Workshop.
• Carolina SciencecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarolina Science publishes and distributes the Smithsonian Science for the Classroom curriculum, which received All-Green ratings from EdReports for grades 3-5.
• Climate WordsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the Rosenberg Youth Manifesto for Action developed during Rosenberg House Davos at the 2026 World Economic Forum week, designed for students aged 6 to 18.
• MITminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in development of Rosenberg Youth Manifesto for Action, a student-authored framework for accountable implementation in education, industry, and governance.
• ETH ZurichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in development of Rosenberg Youth Manifesto for Action at 2026 World Economic Forum week.
• UC BerkeleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in development of Rosenberg Youth Manifesto for Action at 2026 World Economic Forum week.
• Points of LightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecipient of remaining funds from Caterpillar Foundation's $2.5 million initiative, supporting Points of Light's national volunteerism campaign with Caterpillar employees aiming for 250,000 volunteer hours.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Project Lead The Way (PLTW): PLTW is a leading nonprofit provider of K-12 STEM curriculum with a comparable mission-driven, grant-supported model and similar district-focused GTM.
• Accelerate Learning (STEMscopes): STEMscopes is a widely adopted K-12 STEM curriculum that competes for the same district science adoption budgets as Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, particularly in Texas and other large states.
• Amplify (Amplify Science): Amplify publishes a leading K-8 NGSS-aligned science curriculum with hands-on inquiry kits, directly competing with Smithsonian Science for the Classroom for district adoption contracts.
• FOSS (Full Option Science System): Developed by the Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley, FOSS is a research-based inquiry-driven K-8 science program with a comparable pedagogical approach to SSEC's curriculum offerings.
• Carolina Biological Supply Company: Carolina is both SSEC's publishing partner for the Classroom curriculum and a major competitor in K-12 hands-on science kits, materials, and curriculum.
• Great Minds: Great Minds is a curriculum publisher behind Wit & Wisdom and PhD Science, a K-5 NGSS-aligned science curriculum competing in the same district adoption processes as SSEC.

Emerging players

• OpenSciEd: OpenSciEd offers an open-source, NGSS-aligned middle school science curriculum that competes on quality and price (free) against SSEC's STCMS and Smithsonian Science for the Classroom in district adoptions.
• PhET Interactive Simulations (University of Colorado Boulder): PhET provides free interactive STEM simulations widely adopted in K-12 classrooms; like SSEC's Global Goals guides, it competes for digital engagement time within the same science curriculum.

Broad incumbents

• Discovery Education: Discovery Education operates a broad K-12 digital learning platform that includes Mystery Science (K-5 science) and competes with SSEC for both content distribution and professional development budgets.
• National Geographic Society: National Geographic Society produces science education resources and curricula for K-12 with comparable brand authority and content-quality positioning as a Smithsonian-affiliated institution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SmithsonianScie
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@smithsonianscie
• Facebookfacebook.com/SmithsonianScienceEducationCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smithsonian-science-education-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/smithsonianscie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)