Created through a unique partnership between the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academies in 1985, the Smithsonian Science Education Center is committed to improving "the learning and teaching of science in school districts in the United States and throughout the world." The materials on the site are divided into areas that include Books & Kits, Innovation & Leadership, and Smithsonian. In the Books & Kits area, visitors can browse through a number of lesson plans, fact sheets, and other educational materials designed to help students learn about 20 different topics, including technology, geology, botany, and meteorology. The Innovation & Leadership area provides access to resources on increasing diversity in the science classroom and improving K-8 science education. The website is rounded out by a range of social media links where visitors can keep tabs on new additions to the site.