Youth Programs

The Science Action Club Program ignites the spark for science in middle school youth and their afterschool Activity Leaders. The Academy provides afterschool programs with blended professional development, science-themed activity modules, and remote support for youth to explore science content and participate in authentic science experiences. Science Action Clubs are part of afterschool programs in eight San Francisco Unified School District's Middle Schools.

Learn about how SAC is bringing technology into afterschool programs

For more information please contact:

Courtney Rudd

(415) 379-5274

Science Action Clubs are generously supported by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

Youth volunteers in the Teen Advocates for Science Communication program engage with the Academy's mission of exploring, explaining and protecting the natural world through the creation of innovative public programs. Youth 8th-12th grade work with Academy professionals to create experiences for museum visitors that communicate science in a fun and exciting way such as flash mobs, collections based fashion shows, or pop ups. Joining the TASC Force is a great way to help the Academy create fun and lively experiences for museum guests. Volunteer credits available.

For more information please contact:

Luke Martin

(415) 379-5104

TASC Force is generously supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

The Pearson Young Scientists program provides both middle and high school youth opportunities to work alongside Academy professionals. With programs ranging from one week to one year, youth collaboratively work to understand a project theme, opportunities for impact and then work alongside our Digital Learning team to create a digital project. All Pearson young scientists programs focus on topics of civic engagement.

Some examples of Pearson Young Scientists high school programs include creating educational gaming experiences about earthquake safety and preparedness and youth research on digitally based, community-oriented solutions regarding the problem with plastics in the San Francisco area.

For more information please contact:

Rik Panganiban

(415) 379-5830

The Pearson Young Scientists program is generously funded by the Pearson Foundation

The Careers in Science program offers a year-round science education and youth development internship with three major components: learning science, teaching science to others, and conducting scientific research. High school interns learn about the findings and processes of science and the natural world through hands-on trainings, field science experiences, and peer and professional mentorships. This multi-year paid internship serves San Francisco youth typically under-represented in the sciences. Interns are typically accepted during 10th or 11th grades.

Learn more about the Careers in Science Intern Program

Read our blog!

For more information please contact:

Neal Ramus

(415) 379-5109

Careers in Science in generously supported by the GGS Foundation; Hearst Endowment for Science Education; Joseph R. McMicking Foundation; Kenneth Edward Olivier and Angela Nomellini; San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Their Families; The Sato Foundation; Onnolee and Orlin Trapp; and Wells Fargo.

Youth volunteers in the Teen Advocates for Science Communication program engage with the Academy's mission of exploring, explaining and protecting the natural world through the creation of innovative public programs. Youth 8th-12th grade work with Academy professionals to create experiences for museum visitors that communicate science in a fun and exciting way such as flash mobs, collections based fashion shows, or pop ups. Joining the TASC Force is a great way to help the Academy create fun and lively experiences for museum guests. Volunteer credits available.

For more information please contact:

Luke Martin

(415) 379-5104

TASC Force is generously supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

The Pearson Young Scientists program provides both middle and high school youth opportunities to work alongside Academy professionals. With programs ranging from one week to one year, youth collaboratively work to understand a project theme, opportunities for impact and then work alongside our Digital Learning team to create a digital project. All Pearson young scientists programs focus on topics of civic engagement.

Some examples of Pearson Young Scientists high school programs include creating an educational gaming experience geared towards teaching elementary age youth about earthquake safety and preparedness and having youth research and come up with digitally based, community oriented solutions regarding the problem with plastics in the San Francisco area.

For more information please contact:

Rik Panganiban

(415) 379-5830

The Pearson Young Scientists program is generously funded by the Pearson Foundation

The Science in Action High School program focuses on connecting digital media with science investigation and learning. Youth who participate will develop skills in communicating science to the public through the creation and delivery of science stories using different media types.

Some examples of Science in Action high school programs include creating informational and engaging media stories about issues of sustainability, and exploring the universe with planetarium software and access to the Academy's all digital planetarium dome.

For more information please contact:

Rik Panganiban

(415) 379-5830

The Science in Action High School Program is generously supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

The Student Science Fellows program pairs highly motivated youth with Academy researcher scientists to conduct authentic research and disseminate the results of their work. Youth in this program have already shown a serious commitment to science and work directly with Academy researchers on a co-created research project. Fellowships require a one-year commitment and are available to 11th and 12th graders from the Bay Area.

For more information please contact:

Roberta Brett

(415) 379-5224