Established in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has used its unique, publicly accessible collections, research, and staff to inform, educate, and inspire a diverse public. These resources have allowed the Smithsonian to become one of the most widely recognized institutions in the world for both its contribution to science and its unparalleled ability to make its research and collections accessible to people of all ages.

In response to the 1983 report "A Nation at Risk" and the need it identified for exemplary teaching resources and curriculum material, the Smithsonian and the National Academies established the National Science Resources Center (NSRC) in 1985. The mission of the NSRC is to improve the teaching of science in the nation’s schools. To accomplish this goal, the NSRC developed the STC Program™, which offers teachers and students the unique advantage of access to the knowledge and expertise of the Smithsonian and the National Academies. As a result, the STC Program™—which includes STC– Elementary™ and STC–Secondary™—is second to none.

The STC Program™ is comprised of 36 instructional units that explore the life, earth, and physical sciences.