What Headwaters Science Institute does

Headwaters Science Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit science education organization founded in 2014 by Megan Seifert with initial seed capital of $600. It is headquartered in Soda Springs, California and operates with an estimated 1-10 employees. The organization delivers K-12 science enrichment programs built around a proprietary "Student Driven Research" methodology, in which students design and conduct original scientific investigations under the guidance of scientist-mentors.

Its core product offering consists of multi-week student research programs, summer camps, mentoring hours, and topical programs such as Girls Science Camp and Lunch With a Scientist. Programs are delivered in partnership with schools, school districts (including Tahoe Truckee Unified School District and West Contra Costa Unified School District), state and national parks, and universities (including Seton Hill, Duquesne, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania). Geographically, the organization serves students primarily in California's Tahoe Truckee region and the San Francisco Bay Area, with an expanding presence in Pennsylvania.

The business model combines program fees paid by schools, districts, and parents with donations and grants from foundations and corporate donors. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The organization relies on scientist-mentor talent (including PhD-level staff) and embedded institutional relationships as its primary operating inputs.

Name

Headwaters Science Institute

Legal name

Headwaters Science Institute

Website

https://headwatersscienceinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Headwaters Science Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers K-12 student-driven science research programs, summer camps, and mentoring across California and Pennsylvania, serving school districts, students, and families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Science Education Programs

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEM Research & Inquiry Programs (Research Mentorship, Science Fair Prep) (EDAMABAC), Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD), Biology & Life Science Enrichment (Biotech, Genetics, Anatomy) (EDAMABAF)

Keywords

• Science education programs
• Student-driven research
• K-12 STEM programs
• NGSS-aligned curriculum
• Hands-on field science

Headquarters

HQ city

Soda Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Revenue from school programs, summer camps, and after-school programs. Schools pay for field science programs and professional development services.
2. Donations and Grants: Nonprofit funding through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. The organization has received support from Powdr Corp Community Foundation, Martis Camp, Donner Party Charitable Fund, Tahoe Mt. Resorts, Truckee Airport Foundation, Truckee Rotary, North Tahoe Kiwanis, Tahoe League for Charity, and others.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Headwaters Science Institute delivers hands-on, student-driven science education programs in which students design and execute their own research projects following the scientific method. Offerings include in-school full research programs, overnight immersive experiences at Donner Summit, day-long field trips, summer camps (including girls-only and intro-to-research formats), extracurricular mentoring, and teacher professional development, all aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Product overview

Headwaters Science Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit science education organization founded in 2014 with a mission to foster curiosity through science. The organization operates a multi-format educational program portfolio centered on 'Student Driven Research' — teaching students the scientific method through hands-on, inquiry-based learning. The core programs include Full Research Programs delivered at schools, Overnight Programs (3-5 day immersive experiences on Donner Summit), and Summer Camps at multiple California locations (Truckee, Kirkwood, Serene Lakes, North Lake Tahoe, East Bay). Supporting offerings include Field Days, Mentoring Hours, the Headwaters Research Experience, and Bay Area Youth Programs. Teaching resources include Lunch With a Scientist, Science Curriculum, and Professional Development for educators. The organization serves K-12 students primarily in California, with recent expansion to Pennsylvania and the Bay Area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full Research Programs School-based program where students learn the scientific method by designing their own research projects and collecting data at nearby field sites; meets NGSS standards and is delivered at K-12 campuses.
• Overnight Programs Immersive 3-5 day experiences on Donner Summit in Northern California where students learn science by designing their own research projects and collecting field data.
• Field Days Day-long field experiences at various field sites throughout California where students engage in hands-on science activities and data collection.
• Headwaters Research Experience Extracurricular research program providing students hands-on experience with the scientific method outside of regular school hours.
• Summer Camps Seasonal residential and day camps including Intro to Research, Girls Research Camp, and location-specific camps in Truckee, Kirkwood, Serene Lakes, North Lake Tahoe, East Bay, and WCCUSD areas.
• Girls Summer Science Camp Scholarship-supported overnight science camp specifically designed to increase representation of women in science fields, providing hands-on research experiences.
• Intro to Research Camp Entry-level summer camp introducing students to the scientific method and research process through guided hands-on projects.
• Lunch With a Scientist Virtual or in-person sessions connecting students with working scientists for informal Q&A and exposure to scientific careers.
• Science Curriculum Curriculum materials and lesson plans aligned with NGSS standards for teaching the scientific method through student-driven inquiry.
• Professional Development Hands-on training workshops for educators on Student Driven Research methods, enabling teachers to implement inquiry-based science education in their classrooms.
• McKeesport Area High School Research Field Science Program Introduction to Research Field Science Program for 10th-12th grade environmental science and biology students at McKeesport Area High School, including preparatory sessions, field data collection at Cedar Creek Park, and data analysis presentations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of students reported gaining new problem-solving skills during the McKeesport program
• +2 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

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Seton Hill UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity mentors from Seton Hill University supported the McKeesport Area High School research program, sharing expertise in ecology and environmental science with students. This partnership provides college-level mentorship to high school students.
• Duquesne UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity mentors from Duquesne University supported the McKeesport Area High School research program, contributing expertise in ecology and environmental science.
• Indiana University of PennsylvaniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity mentors from Indiana University of Pennsylvania supported the McKeesport Area High School research program, providing ecology and environmental science expertise to students.
• Donner Memorial State ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerField research site partner for Alder Creek Middle School programs. The park provides field space for student data collection on human impacts research projects.
• Central Sierra Snow LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch site partner for Sierra Expeditionary Learning School and La Fuerza Latina Truckee students. Students tour the lab and conduct smaller-scale research in the surrounding area.
• Cedar Creek ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerField research site for McKeesport Area High School students in Belle Vernon, PA. Park staff helped plan the program and provided field space for student data collection.
• GiveButtercoreTechnology or IntegrationDonation processing and newsletter signup platform used by Headwaters for accepting charitable contributions online.
• SpondcoreTechnology or IntegrationProgram and camp registration platform handling enrollment for school programs, summer camps, and other activities. Registration data collected by Spond per their privacy policy.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Science Buddies: Nonprofit providing K-12 STEM project resources, mentorship, and science fair support — overlapping with Headwaters' focus on student-designed research and inquiry-based methodology.
• Project WET Foundation: Nonprofit focused on water and environmental education for K-12, providing curricula, teacher training, and student programs — overlaps in audience and inquiry-based environmental science delivery.
• NatureBridge: NatureBridge is a national nonprofit delivering immersive, student-driven field science education programs in national parks (Yosemite, Olympic, etc.). It is the closest comparable to Headwaters in mission, methodology, and K-12 audience.
• The Ecology School: Nonprofit delivering place-based environmental science education programs for K-12 students in Maine, with overnight and field-based formats analogous to Headwaters' Donner Summit and California field programs.
• Science from Scientists: Nonprofit that places real scientists in K-12 classrooms for hands-on STEM modules, sharing Headwaters' emphasis on inquiry-based learning and educator support.
• Catalina Sea Camp / CIMI: Marine science overnight camp for youth delivering hands-on field research at a specific natural site — closely mirrors Headwaters' overnight, field-based science camp model.

Broad incumbents

• The Lawrence Hall of Science (UC Berkeley): University-affiliated public science center offering K-12 STEM programs, curricula, and PD for educators. Overlaps with Headwaters' school-based programs and PD offerings but at significantly larger institutional scale.
• Pacific Science Center: Established science education nonprofit with exhibits, school programs, and camps — broader portfolio than Headwaters but overlapping in K-12 STEM enrichment and field experiences.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/headwaters-science-institute

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Headwaters Science Institute