A Mission Rooted in Culture, Committed to Learning
Ciencia Puerto Rico (CienciaPR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to transform how science is perceived, taught, and used across Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican diaspora. Since its founding in 2006 by neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Colón-Ramos, the organization has grown into a dynamic, global network of over 15,000 scientists, educators, students, and allies. 
CienciaPR stands on a simple but powerful principle: “Science should be accessible, culturally relevant, and rooted in the realities of the people it seeks to serve.” Through this lens, CienciaPR is not just sharing knowledge—it’s building bridges between science and society.
Making Science Culturally Relevant
Understanding that learning is most effective when it resonates with students’ identities and lived experiences, CienciaPR creates educational resources that weave Puerto Rican culture and values into science instruction. These tools support teachers and inspire students by showing that science isn’t just something learned in textbooks—it’s part of their everyday lives.
“Cuando se enseña ciencia desde nuestra realidad cultural, dejamos de verla como algo lejano y comenzamos a verla como una herramienta para cambiar nuestras comunidades,” the organization shared on Instagram. (Translation: “When we teach science from our cultural reality, we stop seeing it as something distant and start seeing it as a tool to change our communities.”)
Responding to Crisis with Community Science
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, CienciaPR collaborated with educators to create “Aquí Nos Cuidamos” (“Here We Take Care”), a public health and science communication toolkit grounded in local language and community needs. Their innovative approach turned disaster response into an opportunity for education and empowerment, helping communities understand the science behind their recovery.
This spirit of resilience is echoed in another message on their social media:
“La ciencia salva vidas, pero solo si es accesible.” (Science saves lives, but only if it’s accessible.)
Through hands-on science and problem-solving in the classroom, students learn critical thinking and begin to see themselves as agents of change.
Collaborating for Greater Impact
CienciaPR partners with leading institutions, such as Yale University through the Yale Ciencia Initiative and the National Science Foundation, to increase the representation of underrepresented groups in STEM and improve science education in Puerto Rico. They develop projects that reflect academic rigor and local relevance by combining scientific expertise with community insight. 
Programs like Científicos al Servicio connect students directly with scientists in Puerto Rico, while other initiatives promote community-led data collection and research, amplifying voices often left out of traditional academic spaces.
On Instagram, the organization says it best:
“La ciencia es más poderosa cuando se hace en comunidad.” (Science is more powerful when done in community.)
Programs That Educate, Connect, and Inspire
Ciencia Puerto Rico’s initiatives are far-reaching and impactful:
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Científicos al Servicio: Mentorship and guest speaker programs that connect students with Puerto Rican scientists.
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Community Science Projects: Collaborative research that invites local residents to explore and solve issues through science.
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Educational Tools: Open-access materials designed for classrooms that incorporate Puerto Rican stories, language, and challenges.
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Aquí Nos Cuidamos: A communications campaign focused on public health, empathy, and mutual care during crises.
These efforts advance STEM education, build community resilience, and create a sense of shared responsibility for Puerto Rico’s future.
A Recognized Force for Good
CienciaPR’s transformative work has been widely recognized. The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics named it a “Bright Spot in Hispanic Education,” and the Union of Concerned Scientists honored it as a “Science Defender.” These accolades reflect the organization’s national leadership in education equity, scientific outreach, and social responsibility.
But beyond awards, the real measure of impact lies in classrooms, community centers, and homes where young people begin to dream bigger, because they’ve seen themselves in science.
How You Can Support the Mission
Ciencia Puerto Rico is a community effort. Its success depends on people—scientists, educators, parents, students, and supporters—who believe in the power of knowledge to transform lives.
Get involved today:
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Visit www.cienciapr.org to explore programs, tools, and resources.
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Volunteer your skills, time, or voice to help bring science into more classrooms and communities.
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Donate to sustain and expand their initiatives—every gift empowers the next generation of problem solvers.
Ciencia Puerto Rico is lighting a path toward a more informed, empowered, and resilient society grounded in science, community, and cultural pride.
CONTACT Ciencia Puerto Rico 
Telephone: 203-868-0824
Email: contact@cienciapr.org
Website: cienciapr.org
Facebook: cienciapr
YouTube: CienciaprOrg
Photos: Ciencia Puerto Rico
