UC Science Connect
Increasing Public Engagement and Confidence In Science
UC Science Connect is a public‑facing resource to increase engagement with, and confidence in, science across California’s diverse communities. Rather than focusing only on individual scientific literacy and mastery of science facts or skills, we highlight the ways science works, why it can be trusted, and how people’s everyday lives benefit. We invite youth and adults to see themselves as partners in the scientific process!
We showcase proven, community‑relevant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs that blend hands‑on STEM learning with reflection on culture, ethics, and civic action. By strengthening scientific literacy and critical thinking, we cultivate thriving people and communities — equipping them with skills to make informed decisions, actively engage in civic life, and lead with confidence and effectiveness — while also inspiring some to pursue careers in STEM.
Resources
Resources are organized so educators, families, and community leaders can quickly find ready‑to‑use lessons, evaluation tools, and stories of impact.
Curricula
- 4-H Water Wizards (guided inquiry water education) [Grades 4-6]
- Ag from Above × Ag for All (youth drone mapping for agriculture curriculum) [High school]
- iCode (identity exploration through computer science curriculum) [Grades 6-8]
- Junk Drawer Robotics (engineering design) [Grades 5-8]
- Sustainable polymers (helping youth learn about plastics curriculum) [Grades K-12]
- iThrive: Leadership, Science & Me! (leadership & STEM curriculum) [Grades 7-12]
Partnerships
Programs
UC Science Connect is managed by the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) Science Literacy and Critical Thinking Program Team. Please reach out to Steven Worker at smworker@ucanr.edu.