Last updated 27 March 2023.
Why do we exist?
Science Journal for Kids is a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve scientific literacy and students’ access to the latest scientific discoveries. We produce K-12 science teaching resources adapted from published peer-reviewed academic research. All our content is free to download.
The adaptation process
- Our team writes the first draft of the kids’ version of the research paper and sends it to the researcher for review. Our editor works with the original researchers until they are satisfied that the adaptation is correct while remaining sufficiently kid-friendly.
- Our graphic designer creates cartoons, adapted scientific diagrams, and other suitable illustrations, and completes the layout. The researchers review and approve the page proofs.
- Based on the research, we prepare a packet with educators’ resources consisting of a student assessment questionnaire with a teacher’s key, related teaching resources, video and audio content, curriculum alignment, etc.
- We publish all this content on our website which has hundreds of thousands of visitors per year – most of them science teachers. (For most up-to-date data on reach, see our latest annual report.)
As a researcher, why should you have your paper adapted?
- Your research will have a broader impact beyond the scientific community, as required by many research grants. We track download statistics to quantify the paper’s reach.
- You retain authorship and full control over the adapted paper avoiding any possible miscommunication or misinterpretation of your research.
- The adaptation process is straightforward and requires a minimal time commitment from you. We have a quick turnaround time – on average 3 months from start to completion.
The cost
Producing one of our adapted articles (and related teaching resources) costs us between USD 1500 and USD 2500. Our organization is fortunate to receive support from a number of foundations which covers this cost in most cases. If a particular paper is not eligible for funding under those programs, the researchers could use the university or research lab’s public outreach/discretionary funding to cover the cost. The publication cost and funding source are determined and agreed upon in writing before we begin work on the adaptation but we usually invoice after publication.
Learn more about us
- Learn more about our Organization, our Team, and read our Annual Impact Reports.
- Review our Frequently Asked Questions section.
- Find non-English language translations for many of our articles.
- See our past collaborations and read other researchers’ testimonials.
Contact us
Reach out to editor @ sciencejournalforkids.org