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The Willis Harlow Shapley Education Fund at Science Service
1719 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

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Science Service

Founded in 1921, Science Service’s mission is to advance public understanding and appreciation of science among people of all ages through publications and educational programs. A non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, Science Service has encouraged students, parents, teachers, and communities to explore the vast world of science. Science Service began the task of promoting science education early in its 83-year history with “Radio Adventures in Science;” hands-on experiments for students, called “Things of Science;” administration of Science Clubs of America; and finally, the evolution of two of the most prestigious competitions in pre-college science.

Through publications and programs, science fairs and scholarship competitions, Science Service helps young people utilize and strengthen their knowledge in science, math, and engineering. Many credit these experiences as a decisive factor in choosing a scientific career.

The Willis Harlow Shapley Education Fund at Science Service

Established in memory of Willis Harlow Shapley, Member of the Science Service Board of Trustees (1981 - 2005), the Fund will support education programs at Science Service including:

Science News for Kids
Science News for Kids is dedicated to science news for children of ages 9 to 13 and offers timely items of interest to kids, accompanied by suggestions for hands-on activities, books, articles, Web resources, and other useful materials.

• Kid-friendly, weekly science articles
• Science fair tips, topics, and news
• Brainteasers and online games
• Cool hands-on activities
• Science fiction fun
• Resources for teachers and parents

Science Service
Science Education Programs

Intel Science Talent Search
The Intel Science Talent Search is America’s oldest and most highly regarded science contest for high school seniors. The STS provides an incentive and an arena to complete an original research project and have it recognized by a national jury of highly regarded professional scientists.

Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) is the world’s largest pre-college celebration of science. The Intel ISEF brings over 1,300 finalists in grades 9-12, from all over the world, to a different host city every year.

Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge
The Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge is a middle school competition developed in partnership with Discovery Communications, Inc. for 5th-8th grade students. Emphasizing the communication of science, the DCYSC provides a national “next step” for middle school
science fair participants.

Willis Harlow Shapley
1917-2005

Willis H. Shapley was born in 1917 in Pasadena, California and educated at Harvard College and the University of Chicago.

He joined the Bureau of the Budget in 1942 where he oversaw military research and development programs for 23 years. Mr. Shapley helped to craft the 1958 National Space Act  that created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In 1961 he helped write the memorandum that President John F. Kennedy used as the basis for the program for landing man on the moon.  In 1965 Mr. Shapley became Associate Deputy Administrator of NASA. He retired from NASA in 1975 but returned to the job in 1987-88. He was author or co-author of 11 annual reports on federal R&D for the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Willis Shapley received the Bureau of the Budget Exceptional Service Award (1963), the Rockefeller Public Service Award (1956), NASA's Distinguished Service Medal (1969 and 1988) and the Career Service Award of the National Civil Service League (1971). He served as a Trustee of Science Service from 1981 until his death.