Society for Science & the Public

Society for Science & the Public (SSP), formerly known as Science Service, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of science, through its science education programs and publications, including the bi-weekly Science News magazine and the free-accessible online Science News for Students.

The organization has headquarters in Washington, D.C. Its vision is to promote the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform, educate, and inspire. In pursuit of this goal, it publishes Science News and Science News for Students, and sponsors events including the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the Regeneron Science Talent Search, and the Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) competition.

SSP was founded in 1921 by journalist Edward W. Scripps and zoologist William Emerson Ritter. Originally named Science Service (and previously, the American Society for the Dissemination of Science), its goal was to inform the public of the latest scientific discoveries and achievements.

Scripps and Ritter accomplished their goal by distributing the latest science research to the public through a news service for reporters. In 1922, due to interest from non-journalists, Science Service started distributing Science News-Letter, which became a magazine in 1926. It quickly grew into a prime source of science news for libraries, schools, and individuals. In 1942, Science Service launched the first of its prestigious education competitions, the Westinghouse Science Talent Search.