FAQ
What’s in the name? Did you misspell curious?
Our spelling is very intentional. Curieus' name pays homage to chemist and physicist Marie Curie's work in paving a path for women in science, including being the first female to receive a Nobel Prize, among many other firsts. We believe Curie's historical role in breaking the gender barrier in STEM reflects our own mission to strengthen diversity in these fields by inspiring underrepresented students to be curious about the world around them.
Where is Curieus based in?
We are based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with chapters in communities across the country and abroad.
Is Curieus a non-profit?
Yes, and we are a registered 501(c)(3) organization, so all donations are tax deductible!
How is Curieus funded?
Curieus is entirely funded by the public, with grants from various organizations as well as individual donations from supporters. So far, we have raised over $18,000 that went directly to our students’ education. If you are interested in contributing, we would love your support! Please refer to the Donate page for more information.
What is the Presidential Service Award?
We recognize the work of our dedicated student volunteers every year as a certifying organization of the President's Volunteer Service Award. With this honor, individuals who meet a certain number of service hours over a twelve-month period receive presidential recognition along with a personalized certificate, an official pin, medallion or coin, and a congratulatory letter from the president of the United States. Based on the number of hours volunteered, recipients can receive three different levels of the award (gold, silver, and bronze). More information can be found here.
What makes Curieus special?
Curieus works to increase access to STEM education for underrepresented students, with the ultimate goal of achieving equality of opportunity for scientific studies and careers. We are entirely volunteer-run, with all of the money we raise going directly to our students. One key pillar of Curieus’ approach is our youth-to-youth format—by maintaining stable groups of high school teachers and younger students, we foster a sense of community and support for those we teach. In addition, all of our curriculum is original, and made by our volunteers. Last but not least, Curieus builds a sense of community for both our volunteers and students, and we are there for them in times of need, including the pandemic.
How can I help?