NFD Partners - Public and Science Outreach Organizations

American Institute of Biological Sciences

The American Institute of Biological Sciences is the national scientific organization that promotes the use of science to inform decision-making that advances biology for the benefit of science and society. AIBS works to ensure that the public, legislators, funders, and the community of biologists have access to information that can guide informed decision-making.
https://www.aibs.org/home/index.html

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Archaeologists for Autism

The Archaeologists for Autism mission is to unlock the potential of children with developmental disabilities. We aim to provide children with autism spectrum disorders and their families a chance to experience archaeology in a fun, low stress environment. At our Archeologists for Autism event, children on the autism spectrum and their families will be walking the grounds of an actual archaeological site and be able to enjoy a wide range of activities related to archaeology and paleontology, live music, face-painting, and much more. Participants will be able to use social skills, and use various functional skills, all while having fun! This is a very special day where children with ASD can interact with typical peers and wow families with their capabilities.
http://archaeologistsforautism.org/index.html


Archaeo-Nevada Society (ANS)

The Archaeo-Nevada Society (ANS) was incorporated in the State of Nevada as a nonprofit organization in 1966. It is a local group of individuals interested in various aspects of archaeology such as history, prehistory and historic preservation. The purpose of the ANS is to preserve Nevada's antiquities, encourage the study of archaeology, and to educate the public on the aims of archaeological research.
http://www.archaeonevada.org/


The Big Horn Basin Foundation

The Big Horn Basin Foundation was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization dedicated to geological research and education. Our Mission Statement is as follows: To discover, preserve, study and interpret geologic and paleontologic materials with emphasis on the state of Wyoming. To present and exhibit our findings for the benefit of all. To advance the fields of geology and paleontology by promoting cooperation among researchers and institutions. To foster the education of students, professionals and the general public.
http://bhbfonline.org/


Canyon Country Discovery Center

Four Corners School of Outdoor Education and Canyon Country Discovery Center's mission is to create lifelong learning experiences about the Colorado Plateau for people of all ages and backgrounds through education, service, adventure, and conservation programs.
http://www.fourcornersschool.org/


Cave Research Foundation

The Cave Research Foundation is a private, non-profit organization that developed out of exploration efforts at Floyd Collins Crystal Cave in central Kentucky in the early 1950's. After being incorporated in 1957 as a not-for-profit scientific foundation, the Cave Research Foundation was eventually able to partner with the National Park Service and expand its operations to include the caves in Mammoth Cave National Park. This partnership eventually led to multiple cave connections being made, extending the length of the Mammoth Cave system to over 400 miles. At the same time, the Cave Research Foundation has grown and added operations and projects in the Ozarks, California, the southwest and various other places, mainly working on federal lands under agreements with various governmental agencies. Since its inception, the Cave Research Foundation has primarily been concerned with cave mapping.

Cave Research Foundation is dedicated to:

  • facilitating research, management and interpretation of caves and karst resources,
  • forming partnerships to study, protect and preserve cave resources and karst areas, and
  • promoting the long term conservation of caves and karst ecosystems.

http://www.cave-research.org/


Collaborative Summer Library Program

The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) is a consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children at the lowest cost possible for their public libraries.

By combining resources and working with an exclusive contracted vendor to produce materials designed for CSLP members, public libraries in participating states or systems can purchase posters, reading logs, bookmarks, certificates and a variety of reading incentives at significant savings.

The participating systems and states develop a unified and high-quality promotional and programming product. Participants have access to the same artwork, incentives and publicity, in addition to an extensive manual of programming and promotional ideas.

CSLP began in 1987 when ten Minnesota regional library systems developed a summer library program for children, choosing a theme, creating artwork and selecting incentives that public libraries in the regions could purchase to use. State libraries and systems continue to join and CSLP continues to evolve, but its guiding principle remains the same, librarians sharing ideas, expertise and costs to produce a high-quality summer reading program for children.
http://www.cslpreads.org/


COPUS

COPUS is a network that connects individuals who are passionate about advancing the public understanding of science.
http://copusproject.org/


Dallas Zoo

The Mission of Dallas Zoo Inc. is to inspire passion for nature and conserve wildlife. One way this is achieved is through our Nature Exchange, located in the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo. Nature Exchange is a learning environment that encourages people to get out into nature and actively observe, collet, study and share the world around them.
http://www.dallaszoo.com/


The Dinosaur Fund

The Dinosaur Fund is a not for profit program to help raise monies for dinosaur research in the national capital region.
http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~gdouglas/index.html


The Dinosaur Society

The Dinosaur Society's mission is to encourage everyone to learn about and enjoy the fascination of dinosaurs, and to support the work of people engaged in forwarding science of paleontology.
http://www.dinosaursociety.com/


Earth Science Education

Earth Science Education takes advantage of Utah's spectacular geology to enhance children's inherent interest in science. We teach courses and develop resource materials. We give Utah teachers confidence and competence to teach Earth science principles hands-on, outdoors, in their neighborhoods. Courses encourage teachers and informal educators to witness the Earth science that surrounds them, including ordinary rocks, scruffy fossils, and common landforms. With our coaching, teachers write stories, essays and songs that they use to teach Earth science as they teach English language arts.

Earth Science Education is a small not-for-profit led by Genevieve Atwood, PhD, former State Geologist of Utah. We multiply our impact by mostly coaching teachers, the people who can turn kids on or off to science. Courses are taught for Utah teachers through school districts. Resource materials are for teachers and others, including scout leaders and parents. We partner with organizations and volunteers who share our vision.
http://www.earthscienceeducation.org/


Florida Geological Foundation

The mission of the Florida Geological Foundation is to continue ongoing scientific and educational research in the fields of geology and paleontology within the state of Florida and to recover and provide specimens for donation to museums and educational institutions that would otherwise not be made available to the public. We are a not-for-profit organization currently focused on paleontological specimen recovery for the state’s museum research collections.


The FOSSIL Project

The FOSSIL Project (Fostering Opportunities for Synergistic STEM with Informal Learners) is an initiative designed to improve interaction and learning between amateur and professional paleontologists. FOSSIL aims to increase the opportunities for informal STEM learning in paleontology, both for amateur paleontologists and the general public, including underserved audiences. FOSSIL is designed to be a web-based community, primarily driven by the participants themselves. The myFOSSIL web space is a portal through which FOSSIL participants can interact, engage in training, attend meetings and workshops, and conduct K12 outreach.
http://www.myfossil.org/


howtosmile

Hosted by the University of California, Berkeley Lawrence Hall of Science in partnership with science museums and the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), the howtosmile.org website is an online collection of thousands of hands-on interactive science and math activities designed especially for those who teach school-aged children in non-classroom settings. All activities at howtosmile.org are freely accessible and do not require a registration or subscription. Users can search the more than 2,000-activity collection by age or grade, materials cost, preparation time, source institution, language, and by a broad array of STEM topics.
https://www.howtosmile.org/


Jim Henson's Dinosaur Train

PBS KIDS series Dinosaur Train embraces and celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains, while encouraging basic scientific thinking skills as the audience learns about life science, natural history and paleontology. Each episode features Buddy, an adorable preschool-age Tyrannosaurus Rex, and includes two 11-minute animated stories along with brief live action segments hosted by renowned paleontologist Dr. Scott Sampson. Young viewers can join Buddy and his adoptive Pteranodon family on a whimsical voyage through prehistoric jungles, swamps, volcanoes and oceans, as they unearth basic concepts in life science, natural history and paleontology. The learning and fun continue online at PBSKIDS.org/dinosaurtrain, where kids can play games with their favorite characters, print activity pages and watch clips from the show.
http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/


John D. Cooper Archaeological and Paleontological Center

The Cooper Center is divided between the two disciplines of archaeology and paleontology.Archaeologists are concerned with evidence of past human cultures, while paleontologists are interested in the history of life on earth (exclusive of Homo sapiens). Environmental mitigation from construction in the county results in the recovery of artifacts and fossils that pertain to each of these disciplines, and is the source of the bulk of the material in the Cooper Center Collections.

The Cooper Center is named in honor of the late emeritus professor of geological sciences at C.S.U.F, Dr. John D. Cooper. Dr. Cooper led efforts to create a curational facility for the Orange County Archaeology and Paleontology Collections.
http://www.jdcoopercenter.org/


Ka'u Learning Academy

The mission of Ka’u Learning Academy is to provide the children and families of Ka’u, Hawai’i with an education choice. The Academy’s curriculum is focused primarily on academic achievement that will prepare our students for success in an increasingly competitive world. Whether our students are bound for college or choose to enter the workforce, we will provide them with lifelong tools that will allow them to excel. Ka’u Learning Academy will celebrate fossils in 2014 with real and virtual talks! Presented by Ka’u Learning Academy and Science Camps of America, these National Park Service sponsored events will be held in Hilo and Honolulu. The talk will feature paleontologists from Hawaii and, via video conferencing, the mainland. Ask questions of paleontologists who have discovered fossils all over the world! You will learn about native Hawaiian fossils and we’ll compare these to some of the fossils found in other parts of the world – including some very special dinosaur fossils. Speakers will include Hawaii’s own dinosaur expert Joe Iacuzzo, who will discuss the amazing Dinosaur Mummy, the most complete dinosaur fossil ever discovered. Prior to the talks, a special showing of the Discovery Channel documentary “Secrets of the Dinosaur Mummy” will take place.
http://www.kaulearning.com/


Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics

The Leave No Trace concept was born in the 1960s with the U.S. Forest Service when recreation visits to wilderness areas were flourishing. With the need to serve a greater audience, a national organization was formed in 1994, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Since 1994, the major federal land management agencies have been active participants in the Leave No Trace program as the Center has built environmental educational programs, curriculum and messages for all types of outdoor recreation and ecosystems. In its 19 year history, the organization has trained millions of people, delivered a national youth program in English and Spanish, made grants to organizations and environmental educators around the country, and conducted scientific research with some of the nations leading universities and research bodies. Today, the organization engages with over 30,000 active volunteers and enjoys 500 partnerships from buisnesses, nonprofits, youth organizations, corporations and schools.
https://lnt.org/


Marine and Paleobiological Research Institute

The mission of the Institute is education, research and public participation in marine and paleobiological sciences. The Institute does classroom programs and public outreach to inform and interest young people in these areas of science. The institute is an ambassador for international cooperation and understanding by encouraging communication and research among scientists of different countries. MPRI promotes the preservation of our world fossil heritage for education, museum exhibits and research. Emphasis is on fossils that are poorly represented in public institutions. Our website is maintained as an online resource to foster our mission, to communicate with our supporters, and to be an educational tool.
http://www.mprinstitute.org/


National Cave and Karst Research Institute

The goals of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute are to:

  • Advance cave and karst science by conducting, coordinating, and facilitating research.
  • Serve as a repository for and provide analysis and synthesis of speleological (cave related) information.
  • Foster partnerships and cooperation in cave and karst research, education, and management programs.
  • Promote and conduct cave and karst educational programs.
  • Promote national and international cooperative programs that further cave and karst research, education, and stewardship.
  • Develop and promote environmentally sound and sustainable cave and karst management practices.

http://nckri.org/


National Center for Science Education

The National Center for Science Education (NCSE) is a not-for-profit, membership organization providing information and resources for schools, parents, and concerned citizens working to keep evolution and climate science in public school science education. We educate the press and public about the scientific and educational aspects of controversies surrounding the teaching of evolution and climate change, and supply needed information and advice to defend good science education at local, state, and national levels. Our 5000 members are scientists, teachers, clergy, and citizens with diverse religious and political affiliations.
https://ncse.com/


National Environmental Education Foundation - Classroom Earth

Classroom Earth, a program of The National Environmental Education Foundation, is an online resource designed to help high school teachers include environmental content in their daily lesson plans. The website includes a resource library, success stories, funding opportunities, professional development opportunities and more.
https://www.neefusa.org/greening-stem/environmental-education-week


National Park Foundation

The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks. For over 40 years NPF has worked hand in hand with the National Park Service to strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks. Chartered by Congress, NPF raises private funds, makes strategic grants, creates innovative partnerships and increases public awareness so that our national parks may be preserved and enjoyed for generations to come.
https://www.nationalparks.org/


National Park Trust

The National Park Trust's mission is to provide important recreational and educational parkland opportunities for current and future generations. As we spend more time indoors and as successive generations grow up with less of a connection to nature we need to build greater awareness and appreciation for the importance of our country's public lands and parks.
https://www.parktrust.org/


National Parks Conservation Association

Created 90 years ago, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is the leading voice of the American people in protecting and enhancing our National Park System, the largest and most diverse park system in the world. NPCA strives to preserve our natural, cultural and historical heritage for our children and our grandchildren and works with park advocates, community leaders, our members and legislators to ensure that our parks are welcoming, well funded, well managed and well protected.
https://www.npca.org/#sm.0001grysvwc3ves8xky1sz8fabgdv


Natural Science Collections Alliance


NSC Alliance is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit association that supports natural science collections, their human resources, the institutions that house them, and their research activities for the benefit of science and society. NSC Alliance members are part of an international community of museums, botanical gardens, herbariums, universities and other institutions that house natural science collections and utilize them in research, exhibitions, academic and informal science education, and outreach activities.
http://nscalliance.org/

Paleo Nerds: A Prehistoric Podcast

The Paleo Nerds Podcast follows Alaskan artist, Ray Troll, and his friend ventriloquist David Strassman, as they host exciting interviews with paleontologists, scientists and fellow paleo nerds from around the world. They take what would’ve been a boring science class and turn it into an exciting party.

https://www.paleonerds.com/


Paleobiology Database

The Paleobiology Database (PaleoDB) is an open resource for the global scientific community managed and run by a diverse group of paleobiologists. Its purpose is to provide global, collection-based occurrence and taxonomic data that are both temporally and bibliographically referenced for organisms of all geological ages, as well as software for analysis of the data. The long-term goal is to encourage collaborative efforts to answer large-scale paleobiological questions by developing a useful infrastructure and development of large, publicly accessible data sets (Alroy, 2000).
https://paleobiodb.org/#/


Prairie Oak Nature Center

We are a dedicated team of professionals, committed to beautifying the Cityscape and providing progressive leisure opportunities.
http://www.leawood.org/parks/naturecenter.aspx


Science News for Kids

Science News for Kids (SNK) is an award-winning online publication dedicated to children 9-14, their parents, and their teachers. It was launched in 2003 by the nonprofit organization Society for Science & the Public (SSP) as a youth edition and companion to SSP's Science News magazine.
https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/


Two Medicine Dinosaur Center

Our mission at the Two Medicine Dinosaur Center (Bynum, Montana) is to provide hands-on educational experiences for the public, based as much as possible on actual research sites and utilizing research personnel; to promote research and publications on the objects and information collected; and to collect, preserve, and interpret for the public, items relating to physical and cultural heritage of the world. This organization is dedicated to the sharing of information with other organizations for the advancement of science and the education and enjoyment of the public.
http://www.tmdinosaurcenter.org/

White Mountain Dinosaur Exploration Center/Zuni Dinosaur Institute for Geosciences

White Mountain Dinosaur Exploration Center (WMDEC) is founded and run by Paleontologist Douglas Wolfe, wife Hazel, and son, Christopher in participation with institutions and researchers locally and internationally.

WMDEC is dedicated to providing opportunities for citizen scientist to participate in scientific research that provides a deeper knowledge of Earth’s past, assisting all humanity as we go forward in time.

The center features the research of the Zuni Basin Paleontological Project and the Menefee Project, both located on Federal Bureau of Land Management land in New Mexico. All specimens are property of the public and are held in trust at Arizona Natural History Museum, Mesa, AZ and the Utah Natural History Museum, Salt Lake City, UT.
https://www.whitemountaindino.com/

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Many additional partnerships are in the planning stage. Please check back soon.

To add your organization's support for National Fossil Day to this page, please contact us for information about partnerships.

Last updated: September 28, 2020