Our History
For over four decades, we have worked to ensure that what is taught in science classrooms and beyond is accurate and consistent with the best current understanding of the scientific community.
For over four decades, we have worked to ensure that what is taught in science classrooms and beyond is accurate and consistent with the best current understanding of the scientific community.
NCSE forms in 1982 with the purpose of serving as a national coordinating center for local grassroots pro-science organizations working to prevent creationism from being taught alongside or instead of evolution.
Eugenie C. Scott, a physical anthropologist, becomes the organization’s first Executive Director and its first full-time employee.
NCSE is profiled in The New York Times and garners national attention.
NCSE is a driving force for the plaintiffs in the landmark 2005 case Kitzmiller v. Dover, which established the unconstitutionality of teaching “intelligent design” in public schools.
NCSE hires a staff member to focus exclusively on providing support and resources to science teachers. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR TEACHER SUPPORT PROGRAM
NCSE adds climate change to its mission after it becomes clear that politicization of the topic is affecting how it is being taught.
Ann Reid, director of the American Academy of Microbiology, is named NCSE's new Executive Director.
NCSE, with researchers from Penn State University, conducts the first nationwide survey of climate education in public schools, which shows only 30% of science teachers provide their student with the scientific consensus on the human causes of recent climate change. READ OUR WHITE PAPER ABOUT THE SURVEY
NCSE expands its reach to educators with the publication of a monthly newsletter
SIGN UP FOR NCSETEACH
NCSE pilots its first volunteer-led outreach effort in Iowa City, Iowa. These local affiliates provide accessible and fun evolution and climate change activities and help break down the barriers to science and science education that can sometimes exist in local communities.
NCSE unveils a capacity-building model focused on equipping master teachers with high-quality lesson plans and professional development opportunities to give colleagues and peers the skills and confidence they need to teach evolution and climate change. Meet Our Teacher Ambassadors
NCSE, in collaboration with the Texas Freedom Network Education Fund, releases "Making the Grade?" which analyzes all 50 states' climate change standards and assigns a grade to each from A to F. Learn More About the Study
NCSE updates the names for its three core programs: Investigating Science Education is the new name for its research work, Catalyzing Action defines its efforts to monitor and mobilize against anti-science legislation, and Supporting Teachers encompasses its direct work with science educators.
NCSE unveils 15 lesson sets, free for any teacher to use, that help students overcome the most common misconceptions about climate change, evolution, and the nature of science.
Download the Lesson Sets
Amanda L. Townley, an associate professor at Georgia Southern University, is named NCSE's new Executive Director.