Society for Science & The Public

Society for Science seeks to:
1) ignite a passion for science in tomorrow’s leaders and innovators by executing world-class annual science and technology competitions.

2) share the power and wonder of science by producing top-flight science journalism focused on high
quality and accurate content.

3) expand the visibility and reach of the Society for Science to include new audiences, underserved
communities, innovative STEM opportunities and our alumni base

4) ensure fiscal, technological and organizational excellence with a commitment towards diversity, equity and inclusion.

5) raise the funding needed to meet our mission and carry out our programming with the highest quality.

The Society plans and runs the annual Regeneron Science Talent Search, the annual Broadcom MASTERS competition for middle school students, and the annual Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair.

We recruit and involve thousands of students, teachers, and volunteers as we run our competitions.

We publish 21 issues of Science News per year, make even more articles available online, and constantly update the web-based Science News for Students.

We administer equity and outreach programs, including two Research Teacher Conferences, STEM Research and Action Grants, a Science News in High Schools program in over 5,000 U.S. high schools, and the Advocate program that provides mentorship to underserved and underrepresented students interested in science research.

The Society’s efforts are overseen by three boards: our governing board, the Board of Trustees; an Honorary Board, made up of esteemed leaders in science and technology; and a National Leadership Council made up of competition alumni.

The Society hires science experts, many with advanced degrees, as writers for Science News and Science News for Students.

Our experts in secondary education and event planning, several of whom have taught young people, ensure that our competitions are fair, safe for participants, and intellectually rigorous.

Our equity and outreach team, who use best practices to ensure that our programs reach the underrepresented and underserved individuals who would benefit most from our interventions.

We have seasoned professionals in finance, communications, advancement, and long-range planning who keep the Society thriving and ensure it is nimble and fiscally sound.

The Society’s CEO, Maya Ajmera, is an alumna of our competitions, a children’s book author, and an expert on supporting young people around the world as they become productive adults.

Our community of institutional partners, members, donors, subscribers, volunteers and judges, mentors and educators, students, and friends on social media help publicize our programs as we expand the reach of Science News’ independent journalism, improve scientific literacy, promote science research and competition, and effective science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.

Society for Science’s alumni community is a global network of more than 70,000 distinguished professionals who have participated in one or more of our competitions. They connect and collaborate on the alumni network and social media, at small casual get-togethers, judging projects at ISEF, or attending the annual Alumni & Friends Signature Event.

The Society’s CEO, Maya Ajmera, is an alumna of our competitions, a children’s book author, and an expert on supporting young people around the world as they become productive adults.

Our community of institutional partners, members, donors, subscribers, volunteers and judges, mentors and educators, students, and friends on social media help publicize our programs as we expand the reach of Science News’ independent journalism, improve scientific literacy, promote science research and competition, and effective science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.

Society for Science & the Public’s alumni community is a global network of more than 70,000 distinguished professionals who have participated in one or more of our competitions. They connect and collaborate on the alumni network and social media, at small casual get-togethers, judging projects at ISEF, or attending the annual Alumni & Friends Signature Event.

The International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s most powerful STEM talent pipeline, was held in person for the first time since 2019 with 1,750 young scientists representing 49 states and 63 countries, regions and territories across the world showcasing their projects and competing for Grand Awards and Special Awards. Over 50% of ISEF 2022 finalists were women.

From a pilot of 270 schools in 2015, Science News in High Schools has grown to be used in 5,068 high schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories, reaching approximately 17,000 educators and providing access to more than 5.4 million students.

Science Talent Search (STS) was held in-person after virtual competitions in 2020 and 2021. 40 finalists were honored during a livestreamed award ceremony and more than $1.8 million was awarded to the finalists, who were evaluated based on their projects’ scientific rigor, their exceptional problem-solving abilities and their potential to become scientific leaders.

All of these accomplishments would not have been possible without an increasing number of supporters including the volunteers and judges who participate in our science fairs, our generous sponsors, and the thousands of other financial supporters who help fund all our work.