REGIONAL SCIENCE CONSORTIUM AT PRESQUE ISLE CENTER

What REGIONAL SCIENCE CONSORTIUM AT PRESQUE ISLE CENTER does

The Regional Science Consortium (RSC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research consortium founded in 2004 and headquartered in the research wing of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. Its mission is to promote understanding of Lake Erie and the Ohio River Basin ecosystems through shared research infrastructure and education. RSC serves a consortium of universities, K-12 school districts, and state and federal agencies, providing them access to eight fully equipped research laboratories (Aquatics, Biological Preparation, Chemistry, Culture, Microscope, Plant/Greenhouse, and instrumentation), a field marina lab, field equipment, and a 1991 Pursuit research vessel.

RSC's core technical products center on environmental monitoring and education. Operationally, RSC runs weekly Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) sampling at 33+ Lake Erie shoreline sites from May to October using ELISA testing for four cyanotoxins; daily beach water quality testing for E. coli and Enterococcus with results posted by 11 a.m.; the Lake Erie Nearshore Buoy System publishing real-time weather, water, and wave data; drone-based remote sensing with multispectral imaging for wetland restoration monitoring; and biological monitoring using Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter SM4 acoustic recorders, seine net fish surveys, and macroinvertebrate/mussel assessments. Educational products include SS&EL Summer Camps, RSC Mobile Education delivered at member schools, the Mobile HAB Lab traveling exhibit, the Hack-a-Thon, the annual Forensic Science Escape Room (developed with Mercyhurst University's Applied Forensics program), online STEM lessons, and citizen science programs (HAB Spotter, Weed Warriors). Program brands include Go Native Erie!, Weed Warriors, Mobile HAB Lab, and SS&EL Summer Camps.

RSC's revenue model combines (1) annual institutional membership dues at $3,000 (Full) or $1,000 (Associate), each subject to a 3% service fee, providing laboratory access, equipment use, research vessel access, grant collaboration, and Annual Research Symposium participation; (2) tax-deductible donations supporting research, the Deb Beard Memorial STEM Scholarship ($250 to high school seniors), and specific assets such as the buoy; (3) event and program fees including $35 symposium presentation fees, $60/person Escape Room fundraiser tickets, and summer camp tuition with optional $10 add-ons; and (4) implicit grant funding from government partners (notably PA DEP for cyanotoxin monitoring and PA DCNR for wetland/dune work). The organization is governed by an Executive Board drawn from member institutions and is led by Executive Director Jeanette L. Schnars, Ph.D.

Name

REGIONAL SCIENCE CONSORTIUM AT PRESQUE ISLE CENTER

Legal name

Regional Science Consortium

Website

https://regsciconsort.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Regional Science Consortium is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research consortium in Erie, Pennsylvania that operates shared environmental monitoring laboratories and field infrastructure for universities, K-12 schools, and government agencies studying Lake Erie and the Ohio River Basin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Research and Education Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Water & Wastewater Compliance (NPDES/Stormwater, Pretreatment, Drinking Water/SDWA) (EUAHABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Compliance & Permitting (BPAHAJAA), Nature & Biodiversity Reporting (TNFD, natural capital) (EUAHAJAM)

Keywords

• Environmental research services
• Water quality monitoring
• Citizen science programs
• Stem education programs
• Research laboratory access

Headquarters

HQ city

Erie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Full Membership at $3,000 plus 3% service fee; Associate Membership at $1,000 plus 3% service fee. Members receive access to laboratory facilities, equipment, research vessels, grant opportunities, and participation in annual Research Symposium.
2. Donations for Research: 501(c)3 non-profit accepts tax-deductible donations for research-supported projects and programs, including Student Mini-grant Program and Annual Research Symposium support.
3. Event Registration Fees: Research Symposium presentations $35/person; Forensic Science Escape Room fundraiser $60/person including appetizers, beer, wine. Summer camps with additional optional add-ons (early drop-off $10, late pick-up $10).
4. Scholarship Donations: Accepts donations specifically designated for the Deb Beard Memorial STEM Scholarship Program to support high school students pursuing STEM careers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Regional Science Consortium (RSC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit consortium providing shared environmental research infrastructure and STEM education programs focused on the Lake Erie and Ohio River Basin ecosystems. It operates eight fully equipped research laboratories, a field marina, and a research vessel within the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, and delivers services such as beach water quality monitoring, Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) monitoring, real-time nearshore buoy data, wetland restoration monitoring with drone remote sensing, K-12 and university education programs, summer camps, and an annual Research Symposium to its member institutions.

Product overview

The Regional Science Consortium (RSC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing centralized research facilities and environmental education programs centered on Lake Erie and Ohio River Basin ecosystems. The organization operates a suite of eight fully equipped research laboratories within the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, including Aquatics, Chemistry, Culture, Microscope, Plant/Greenhouse, and Biological Preparation labs, complemented by field equipment, instrumentation, and a research vessel. Core research offerings include beach water quality monitoring, Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) monitoring with Mobile HAB Lab education, the Nearshore Buoy System for real-time weather/water data, and wetland restoration with drone remote sensing capabilities. Educational products span K-12 programs (summer camps, field trips, Hack-a-Thon, Mobile Education, online lessons), citizen science (HAB Spotter, Weed Warriors), and professional programs (Research Symposium, working groups). The organization also operates the Go Native Erie! initiative and Clean Marinas program for community environmental stewardship. Membership provides access to laboratory facilities, equipment, grant opportunities, and research collaborations across multiple institutional members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Go Native Erie!: A working group operating under the RSC that educates the public about the importance of native plants while discouraging the use, sale and trade of invasive plant species.
• Weed Warriors
• Mobile HAB Lab
• School of Sustainability & Experiential Learning (SS&EL)

Products and services

• Membership Program Institutional membership tiers (Full Membership at $3,000/year; Associate Membership at $1,000/year, each plus 3% service fee) providing access to RSC laboratories, equipment, research vessels, and research collaboration opportunities for universities, colleges, K-12 school districts, and government agencies in the Lake Erie/Ohio River Basin region.
• Beach Water Quality Monitoring Daily water quality sampling and bacterial testing at public swimming beaches at Presque Isle State Park, with results provided to the Erie County Department of Health and PA DCNR for public health advisories.
• Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Monitoring Program Weekly algal toxin monitoring at 33+ Lake Erie shoreline locations using ELISA testing, with data used for public health advisories.
• Lake Erie Nearshore Buoy System Real-time Lake Erie weather, water, and wave monitoring buoy system providing continuous coastal data to government agencies, researchers, and the public.
• Wetland Restoration Program Wetland restoration services at Presque Isle State Park including invasive species management, native plant propagation, and biological monitoring (fish, mussels, amphibians, macroinvertebrates).
• SS&EL Summer Camps Multi-week summer camp program for middle school students (grades 4-8) delivering hands-on environmental science and sustainability education at Presque Isle State Park and the Glinodo Center.
• Annual Research Symposium Annual regional research symposium with oral and poster presentations, student research awards (Jerry Covert Student Awards), and proceedings published to facilitate knowledge exchange among member institutions.
• Forensic Science Escape Room Fundraiser Team-based escape room experience developed with Mercyhurst University Applied Forensics students, offered as a fundraiser event for the consortium.
• Deb Beard Memorial STEM Scholarship $250 annual scholarship for high school seniors from member school districts pursuing STEM careers, funded by donations to the RSC.
• Go Native Erie! Initiative Native plant promotion initiative combining a Native Friendly Greenhouse certification program with public outreach, education, and native plant donations to greenspace projects.
• Drone Remote Sensing Service Drone-based remote sensing with photomosaic and multispectral imaging for wetland habitat assessment and invasive plant management at Presque Isle State Park.
• Mobile HAB Lab Traveling educational exhibit delivering Harmful Algal Bloom awareness programming to communities, schools, and student groups.
• RSC Mobile Education Mobile in-classroom STEM enrichment programs delivered to member K-12 schools, including robotics, water quality, Hack-a-Thon, and wetland modules.
• Weed Warriors Volunteer Program Volunteer stewardship program focused on invasive plant identification, removal, and monitoring at Presque Isle and Erie Bluffs State Parks.
• HAB Spotter Citizen Science Program Citizen science training workshops that teach participants to identify and report potential harmful algal blooms along Lake Erie.
• Clean Marinas and Lake Friendly Program Education and certification program encouraging marina operators and recreational boaters to adopt environmental best management practices on Lake Erie.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,286 water samples tested for HAB toxins in Erie County in 2018, resulting in 100+ advisories posted for public safety
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Go Native Erie!coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Initiative targeting homeowners, landscapers, developers, greenhouses, and nurseries to promote native plants. Founded by Jen Salem in 2014. Operates as a working group under RSC with donated native plants to public greenspace projects.
• Great Lakes Observing SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on implementation of the Lake Erie Nearshore Buoy System through grant funding. The buoy provides real-time weather, water, and wave data for the region.
• National Weather ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with NOAA National Weather Service on the Nearshore Buoy System implementation to provide coastal storm and weather data for Lake Erie.
• Boat U.S.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided grant funding for equipment and promotion of the Lake Erie Nearshore Buoy System.
• Mercyhurst University Applied Forensics ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity graduate students develop labs for the annual Forensic Science Escape Room event. Students assist with programming during the event.
• E. coli TaskforcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking group composed of RSC, Erie County Department of Health, Gannon University, Penn State Erie, PA DCNR, PA DEP, PA Sea Grant, and USGS. Develops strategies for monitoring bacterial concentrations at public swimming beaches at Presque Isle State Park.
• P.A.S.S.T. (Pennsylvania Archeological Shipwreck and Survey Team)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking group dedicated to documentation, scientific study, and educational promotion of Pennsylvania's underwater archeological resources. Members include RSC, Flagship Niagara League, Indiana University of PA, PA DCNR, PA DEP, PA Sea Grant, S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie, and Tri-County Intermediate Unit #5.
• PA DCNRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on wetland restoration via invasive species removal methods (backpack herbicide, mechanical removal, aerial application). Provides funding and operational support for Presque Isle State Park management.
• Erie Bird ObservatoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on wetland restoration monitoring, collecting data on bird species including endangered and migratory species that utilize PISP wetlands.
• Erie County Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on beach water quality monitoring and E. coli Taskforce. Receives RSC HAB monitoring data for posting public health advisories.
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental ProtectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on HAB monitoring program and coastal management. Funding received for cyanotoxin monitoring along Lake Erie coastline and inland lakes.
• Gannon University GreenhouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner greenhouse location where Go Native Erie! grows plants alongside the RSC Greenhouse at Tom Ridge Environmental Center.
• State University of New York (SUNY) - SyracuseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColleagues at SUNY-Syracuse provide analyses of samples collected from dogs exhibiting cyanotoxin poisoning symptoms for the HABs and Veterinarians program.
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceives HAB sighting reports and collaborates on environmental monitoring. PADEP hotline for reporting blooms.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Great Lakes Observing System: A regional association delivering Great Lakes observation data and forecasts. Highly comparable as a Great Lakes-specific environmental monitoring consortium that already collaborates with RSC on the Nearshore Buoy System.
• Pennsylvania Sea Grant: Penn State-based program supporting research, education, and outreach on Lake Erie and the commonwealth's coastal resources. Shares RSC's mission of advancing Lake Erie/Ohio River Basin science with overlapping partners.
• Ohio Sea Grant: Ohio State University-based Sea Grant program serving Lake Erie. Direct counterpart to Pennsylvania Sea Grant with parallel research, education, and HAB monitoring mandates on the same lake.
• Stroud Water Research Center: Independent freshwater research nonprofit in Pennsylvania with a long-running education and citizen-science program. Closely comparable as a freshwater-focused research/education nonprofit with strong community engagement.
• Great Lakes Environmental Center: Michigan-based environmental research organization focused on Great Lakes water quality, toxicology, and field studies. Comparable in providing contract research and environmental monitoring services to government and industry.
• Center for Great Lakes Literacy: Sea Grant network coordinating Great Lakes education. Comparable in mission of advancing Great Lakes literacy through educator training, curriculum, and student programs.

Broad incumbents

• Great Lakes Commission: Binational U.S.–Canadian agency coordinating policy and programs across the eight Great Lakes states. Comparable in Great Lakes mission scope but broader policy/regulatory remit versus RSC's monitoring/education focus.
• Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University: Major natural history research and education institution with freshwater and environmental programs. Comparable mission of research and public education, but at much larger scale and broader scientific scope.

Regional players

• Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant: Purdue/University of Illinois joint Sea Grant program. Same model as Pennsylvania Sea Grant but serving a different Great Lakes sub-region; comparable in mission and structure.
• Cleveland Water Alliance: Lake Erie-focused water innovation and stewardship organization. Comparable in promoting Lake Erie health and convening cross-sector partners, though with greater emphasis on technology and economic development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWQL9jkHGOHMXu5A3wJTlnA
• Facebookfacebook.com/RegionalScienceConsortium
• Instagraminstagram.com/regsciinsta/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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