At SASSAk12, we believe science is more than collecting data and testing hypotheses. Science is a way of thinking, questioning, and connecting with the world, which is why we bring together diverse perspectives and expertise from within the community to enhance K–12 education. Whether in the classroom or in the field, our hands-on activities encourage the development of critical thinking skills and offer students innovative, inquiry-based approaches to learning complex subjects. These materials are also adaptable to accommodate various learning styles – not just those designed for mainstream settings.

One thing that sets us apart is that almost everything we build, we build together. The vast majority of our learning modules are custom designed in collaboration with educators or community partners to meet specific goals and needs. These are not off-the-shelf activities. Our projects and activities are shaped through dialogue and shared purpose. Some are later adapted for broader use (with permission from all collaborators), while others are intentionally community-specific. Even when a PREP participant doesn’t yet have a school partnership, we help them build public-facing learning tools from their research. These efforts support lasting skills in communication and community connection. Collaborative content building means K-12 students and teachers gain access to exciting, relevant learning experiences. Researchers deepen their impact, gain new insight about their own research, and build lasting relationships.