About Us

From a modest, grassroots organization at its inception in 1983, FFSE has grown to become a national leader in pre-college science education.

Since the first Summer Institute for Science Teachers held in the very early years, programs sponsored by FFSE have increased in number, size and quality. Over the years, participants from more than 500 schools have benefitted from programs supported by FFSE, including Summer Secondary Science Institutes, Beauty and Charm, Particles and Prairies, Science Adventures, Lederman Science Center exhibits, the Teacher Resource Center and more.

Participants in FFSE programs come from increasingly diverse demographics thanks to today's leading-edge technology, which enables us to expand our offerings to include virtual programming that's accessible from anywhere in the world.

FFSE is a volunteer organization, completely independent of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), Fermi Research Alliance, LLC (the manager and operator of Fermilab), and the US Department of Energy. We receive no direct funding from either Fermi Research Alliance, LLC or the Department of Energy.

Programs continue to be developed through a partnership between FFSE and Fermilab Office of Education and Public Engagement. FFSE is a fully-independent organization and we do not receive funding from Fermilab or the federal government. Instead we depend solely on membership, donations, and grants to fund our operations.