HURST, Texas - Marylandian -- The Mensa Foundation has launched Excellence in Science, a new educational program designed to inspire hands-on exploration and reward curiosity.

Building on the success of Excellence in Reading — which has encouraged thousands of students to discover new worlds through books — Excellence in Science brings that same spirit of exploration into the physical world, where learning happens through touch, observation, and experimentation.

Developed in alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards, the program features four grade-banded badge workbooks — K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 — filled with creative, research-based activities. Students might collect and classify leaves, test bridge designs with string and pennies, or measure how sunlight heats different surfaces. Each completed badge earns participants an Excellence in Science certificate and T-shirt — symbols of discovery, not competition.

"The Foundation's Excellence programs help ignite a love of learning that can last a lifetime," said Jill Beckham, the Mensa Foundation Director. "Excellence in Science takes that same spark of curiosity into the world of exploration and experiment, helping kids see themselves as problem-solvers."

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The program is open to everyone, not just Mensa members. Parents can use it to spark after-school adventures, teachers can incorporate it into classroom lessons, and lifelong learners can join in simply for the joy of discovery. Activities can be adapted to suit each learner's environment and imagination.

The Mensa Foundation developed Excellence in Science as part of its ongoing mission to support gifted youth, educators, and families through free, high-quality programs that make intelligence a living, practical force for exploration and growth.

To start your own Excellence in Science adventure, visit mensafoundation.org/what-we-do/excellence-in-science/ and see where curiosity leads.

The Mensa Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to unleashing intelligence for the benefit of humanity. Through scholarships, research, and educational outreach — including Excellence in Reading and Excellence in Science — the Foundation supports gifted youth, educators, and lifelong learners around the world. Learn more at MensaFoundation.org.