Annual Report 2021
SELECT SECTION
2021 Annual Report: Science News in High Schools
During the 2020–2021 school year, Science News in High Schools made an impact in more than 5,000 schools across the country and around the world. More than 5 million students and 17,000 educators had access to the program’s unparalleled educational resources for the classroom. At a time when many teachers were teaching virtually, Science News in High Schools provided a helpful resource.
Program teachers receive 10 issues of Science News every two weeks, as well as an Educator Guide that includes lesson plans based on articles. They also receive digital access to Science News archives, weekly e-newsletters containing the latest educator content, professional learning webinars where teachers share how they integrate the resources into their own classroom, and access to an online community to connect with other educators in the program.
In 2021–2022, for the first time, over 250 middle schools took part in a pilot to bring the program to younger audiences. At the end of the school year, the program name changed to Science News Learning to accommodate its expanding audience.
“Science News helps to bring alive concepts that we are studying in class and allows students to see the real-world applications of what they are learning. In addition to using the Science News articles in the classroom, I have put the periodicals on bulletin boards and in prep areas so that anyone in the school can read them.”
– Teacher Jennifer Reisener of Cave Creek, Ariz.
How Eight Teachers Use Science News in High Schools in Their Classrooms
In 2021, the Society asked several teachers to share how they use Science News in their classrooms in order to help educators who were new to the resource. Eight teachers created webinars aimed at helping others get the most out of Science News in High Schools.
Read the Blog Post
Watch the Webinars on YouTube
Teacher Testimonials
Hear from educators about the impact that Science News in High Schools has in their classrooms, and how these resources help their students.
Read the Testimonials
Why We Volunteer
Energizing the Next Generation
“In the two decades since our retirement, we have been involved with ISEF and more recently with Science News in High Schools. We have really enjoyed encouraging the next generation of scientists and engineers to pursue their dreams. It has been an honor for us to work in collaboration with the dedicated and talented executive team and staff at Society for Science to help achieve this goal.”
William & Lorna Glaunsinger
ISEF Judge Advisory Committee Members
William and Lorna have been ISEF Judge Chairs and Category Co-chairs as well as Science Coaches for Science News in High Schools. They have also supported Society for Science as donors and fundraisers. Lorna is a retired secondary school science teacher who played a leadership role in promoting hands-on science curricula. William is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State University and is the Dean of Sciences and Professions in the ASU Emeritus College.
Outreach & Equity Programs
Investigating the Wide World Around Us
Through the STEM Research Grant program, the Society provided research kits to 100 middle and high school science educators to help their students conduct scientific research outside the classroom during the 2020–2021 school year. The teachers, who hail from 38 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, each chose from a selection of 13 high-quality kits valued at $1,000 each.
Reunited and Reaffirmed in Supporting Students Everywhere
In the first hybrid High School Research Teachers Conference, high school teachers from around the country gathered online while those living near the Society’s home of Washington, D.C., met in person. The conference welcomed 130 teachers and included peer-led sessions that focused on topics ranging from leading students in independent scientific research to engaging students from underserved communities.
Supporting STEM Champions Across the Country
The Advocate Program provides training, stipends, equipment and year-round support to mentors working with underrepresented and low-income students interested in entering science research competitions. In 2020–2021 school year, students of the 66 Advocates took part in over 1,000 fairs and competitions.