• Science for the Public is a grassroots nonprofit organization committed to improving public understanding of important scientific concepts, developments, and issues. We provide the best information we can obtain with the help of outstanding scientists who are committed to informing the public. We do this through our programs and supplementary resources on our website.

Director: Yvonne Stapp

Board of Directors

• Kamaljit S. Bawa, Ph.D. , Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology, University of Massachusetts-Boston, DIrector Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & Environment (ATREE) additional background
• Gerald V. Denis, Ph.D., F.T.O.S, Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology, Boston University School of Medicine; Co-Director, BU-BMC Cancer Center Section of Hematology/Oncology
• Robinson W. Fulweiler, Ph.D., Professor of Earth, Environment and Biology, Boston University
• Brian Helmuth, Ph.D., Professor of Marine and Environmental Sciences; also Professor, School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs; and Director, Sustainability Science and Policy Initiative, Northeastern University
• Markus Klute, Ph.D., Humboldt Professor of Physics, Karlesruhe Institute of Technology (Germany)Markus Klute, Ph.D.
• Andrew Knoll, Ph.D., Fisher Professor Emeritus of Natural History and Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences), Harvard University
• Amala Mahadevan, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Sameer Sonkusale, Ph.D., Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Tufts University; PI, Nanoscale Integrated Sensors and Circuits Laboratory (NanoLab).
• David Toomey, Ph.D., Professor of English and Co-Director of the Program for Professional Writing and Technical Communication. University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Our Mission

Science is essential in today’s global society. For this reason, modern citizens need a basic understanding of issues such as climate change and environmental threats, health essentials such as vaccines and nutrition, and advances in astronomy, technology, mathematics.Science for the Public promotes science literacy by providing information by experts on a wide range of science topics. Our broad focus is represented in our several programs (an interview show, a lecture series, lab visits).These programs are supplemented by multiple resources on our website.While our major target is the adult population –because adults vote and make decisions that often require scientific knowledge-- our material is generally accessible for sixth grade students and up.

Means: SftP provides quality scientific information through a variety of means:

• Weekly newsletter Sci-News Roundup : links to 35 articles from quality sources
• Video-recorded programs
  • Contemporary Science Issues & Innovations (monthly interview show)
  • SftPublic Lecture Series
  • SftPublic Working Science Lab Visits
  • Our programs are produced through, broadcast & distributed by Belmont Media Center Community TV, & uploaded to WGBH Forum Network and to the SftPublic website and online channels.We produce occasional webinars through WGBH Forum Network
• Website Resources: (for general public and STEM)
  • Videos of all programs are available on the SftPublic website in respective categories: Cosmos, Life, etc
  • Information resources on the SftPublic website:
  • Things to Know (basic information about science)
  • They Didn’t Believe It (scientific facts that were initially resisted)
  • Heads Up! Science literacy information
  • Science Issues
  • Resources (multiple categories)
  • Guest Profiles
  • Authors (guests who discuss their popular science books)

We welcome input from the public as well as from the science community.

Strategic Plan

• Develop effective means for communicating important science concepts, issues, and innovations
  • We are considering short-videos, podcasts, and an e-zine
• Provide accurate science resources to counter increasing misinformation and disinformation
  • Expand our Resources section and develop outreach system
• Improve public understanding of and appreciation for scientific research
  • Include explanation of scientific method(s) in each video program
• Transition from volunteer organization to grant-financed organization with full staff