named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Engaging Mathematics (EM)
NSF-funded initiative to transform math education by applying the SENCER model, empowering a national network of scholars to develop innovative, civic issue-based teaching methods.
International Water and Wastewater-Based Epidemiology, Research, and Surveillance
Supports scientists from the global south through training, equipment, and collaboration in wastewater-based disease surveillance, expanding capacity in Kenya, Uruguay, India, and Mexico.
Learn Through the Universe (LTTU)
Interactive web-based tool that uses scale models of the universe to connect scientific concepts with human culture and disciplinary learning.
SENCER (Science Education for New Civic Engagement and Responsibilities)
Flagship program that connects STEM education to real-world civic issues, using public challenges as a lens to teach science and mathematics across undergraduate disciplines.
SENCER-ISE (Informal Science Education)
Fosters partnerships between colleges and informal science institutions like museums and zoos to create civic engagement programs for K-12 and undergraduate students, as well as the general public.
Transcending Barriers to Success: Connecting Indigenous and Western Knowledge
Builds partnerships between indigenous communities and educators to improve STEM education outcomes by integrating indigenous knowledge with formal science learning.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
-
Educator Conferences & Professional Development Events 2 activities
- Organize national conferences and institutes on civically engaged STEM educationHosts major annual events including the SENCER Summer Institute and SENCER West, convening thought-leaders, educators, and researchers to advance STEM reform. Events feature keynotes, oral and poster presentations, and interactive sessions focused on humanizing STEM and broadening participation in climate and civic education.
- Provide professional development for STEM educators in civic engagementOffers workshops, symposia, institutes, webinars, and mentoring to support higher education faculty and informal STEM educators in integrating civic issues into science education. Programs include course design support, grant-writing assistance, leadership development, and regional conferences, serving a national network of over 5,000 participants.
-
-
Academic Research Dissemination 1 activity
- Conduct research on STEM education and civic engagementProduces peer-reviewed research through the SENCER Scholars program and publishes findings in the International Journal of Science Education and Civic Engagement (SECEIJ). Also produces Background Papers synthesizing scientific and civic dimensions of complex public issues for educational use.
-
-
Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
- Develop and disseminate civically engaged STEM curricula and teaching resourcesCreates and distributes model courses, teaching manuals (including Engaging Mathematics), and open-access course materials that integrate rigorous STEM content with civic challenges such as climate change and public health. Resources are shared through digital platforms, YouTube, and public archives.
-
-
Film Festival and Screening Programming 1 activity
- Host public events and screenings on math and science in societyOrganizes public and virtual screenings of the film "Counted Out: Math is Power" with unlimited registration, along with symposia and interactive sessions exploring the role of mathematics and science in addressing societal crises and democratic participation.
-
-
Organization Website and Online Platform Management 1 activity
- Maintain digital platforms and communications for civically engaged STEM communityOperates websites, a biweekly e-newsletter with over 4,500 subscribers, and digital archives to share updates, events, resources, and publications. Hosts journal submissions, recorded webinars, and conference materials to sustain a national community of practice.
-
-
Research and Scholarly Fellowship Support 1 activity
- Support international and cross-cultural STEM research collaborationsFunds and hosts professional development, laboratory experiences, and intensive workshops for international scientists from Kenya, Uruguay, India, and Mexico to conduct water and wastewater-based epidemiological research, promoting global scientific collaboration.
-
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$96K
Contributions & grants$25K26%
Program service revenue$69K72%
Investment income$140%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$51K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$195K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$122K
4 years on record · 2022–2025 · YoY revenue +90.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eliza Jane Reilly | President | 25 | $2K |
relationships · 41
Who they work with
- AAAS Partner — Collaborates with AAAS to support evidence-based and inclusive STEM education
- AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition Coalition — Longstanding member participating in the Working Group on Student Engagement; continues work post-discontinuation of the Coalition.
- Alliance for Higher Education Partner — Collaborates by hosting a dedicated web space for the Alliance's STEM Working Group to support academic freedom in higher education.
- American Association for the Advancement of Science Partner — Co-hosted a national thought-leaders meeting on undergraduate STEM education at AAAS headquarters.
- American Association for the Advancement of Science Partner — Collaborated on foundational science education reform through the 1990 "Liberal Art of Science" report.
- American Association for the Advancement of Science Partner — Collaborated on hosting a meeting of thought-leaders in undergraduate STEM education at AAAS headquarters
- American Association for the Advancement of Science Partner — Collaborated with AAAS to host a meeting of undergraduate STEM education thought-leaders at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.
- Bellevue College Partner — Partner on NSF Award #2413264 to expand civic engagement in undergraduate STEM education at two-year colleges.
- Binghamton University Partner — Collaborator on NSF Proposal #196565 for accelerating adoption of high-impact practices in STEM education across SUNY.
- BioQUEST/QUBES Partner — Collaborates by supporting and contributing resources to the NSF IUSE-AID proposal for STEM education reform.
- Dr. Krista Hiser Partner — Led interactive sessions including the Truth Mandala and Climate Futures Activity at a conference hosted by NCSCE.
- Harvey Mudd College Partner — Co-hosted a conference on broadening participation in undergraduate climate education.
- Harvey Mudd College Partner — Hosted the SENCER West conference on broadening participation in undergraduate climate education
- Harvey Mudd College Partner — Hosted the SENCER West event on broadening participation in undergraduate climate education in September 2025.
- Insight Assessment Partner — Collaborates with or is referenced by NCSCE in connection with the film screening and promotion of numeracy.
- K-12 schools Partner — Collaborates with K-12 schools as part of its community of educators and learners.
- Keck Foundation Funder — Provided a grant in 2015 to support partnerships between indigenous communities and educators to improve science education outcomes.
- NASEM Partner — Engages with NASEM to share reports and analysis on inclusive STEM education
- National Center for Science and Civic Engagement Network — Eliza Reilly, Director of NCSE at NCSCE, co-organized the meeting as a representative of the organization.
- National Science Foundation Funder — Funded the Engaging Mathematics initiative through the TUES-II program (DUE-1322883).
- National Science Foundation Funder — Funded the Engaging Mathematics initiative to transform math education using the SENCER model.
- National Science Foundation Government — Provided awards supporting the organization of the undergraduate STEM education thought-leaders meeting.
- Pullias Center for Higher Education Partner — Collaborates on the concept of “communities of transformation” in STEM reform, referenced through a linked publication from pullias.usc.edu.
- RIOS/QUBES Partner — Collaborated on a learning community focused on science education as civic education in November–December 2025
- RIOS/QUBES Partner — Collaborated on a learning community titled "Science Education as Civic Education" in November-December 2025.
- RIOS/QUBES Partner — Collaborated with RIOS/QUBES on a learning community focused on science education as civic education.
- Rutgers University Partner — Originated the SENCER program through a biology course focused on the HIV epidemic.
- SECEIJ Network — Hosts and publishes the journal SECEIJ as part of its digital platform for civically engaged STEM education.
- SENCER Center for Innovation Partner — Collaborated with SENCER Hawaiʻi and others to organize a climate change curriculum workshop
- SENCER Hawaiʻi Partner — Co-organized a workshop on sustainability and climate change across the curriculum in March 2025
+ 11 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Civic Contextualization of STEM Learningmethodology: civic-contextualization-of-stemBy using unsolved civic problems as a framework for science education, we enhance student engagement and scientific literacy because real-world relevance increases motivation and supports applied learning.
- Distributed Leadership Network Modelmethodology: distributed-leadership-networkBy cultivating a decentralized network of SENCER Ambassadors, Scholars, and Diplomats, we scale civically engaged STEM education nationally and internationally because distributed leadership enables localized adaptation and peer-driven diffusion of innovation.
- Science Education as Civic Educationmethodology: science-education-as-civic-educationBy teaching science through the lens of civic issues, we produce more engaged and socially aware learners because connecting STEM to real-world democratic challenges makes learning meaningful and motivates deeper understanding.
- Tiered Engagement with Open Access Infrastructuremethodology: tiered-engagement-modelBy maintaining open access to programs while offering enhanced support to highly engaged members, we maximize reach and deepen impact among change agents because this model lowers entry barriers while building capacity in committed leaders.