Frederic Bertley, 2025 Prize Winner
By re-envisioning how science is shared, taught, and experienced, Dr. Frederic Bertley has ignited a lifelong love of STEM learning in millions. As president and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, Ohio, he has transformed a regional science museum into a globally recognized leader in STEM education. With his signature blend of visionary leadership and infectious curiosity, Bertley makes science relevant, accessible, and inspiring for learners of all ages.
COSI now reaches more than one million learners annually through immersive exhibits, hands-on outreach, and Emmy Award–winning media programs that extend science education far beyond museum walls. COSI’s Learning Lunchbox kits—filled with at-home experiments and easy-to-follow guides—have brought hands-on science to more than 400,000 learners across the U.S. and abroad, many of them students without regular access to lab-based learning. His popular video series, Dr. B in 3, breaks down complex topics like CRISPR and climate change in three-minute segments, making science relatable and fun for audiences of all ages.
A trained immunologist, Bertley brings scientific rigor and deep humanism to his work. His pioneering initiatives—including the STEM kits, the Extracurricular Intellectual Property Innovation Center (EiPICTM) , the Color of ScienceTM, and Science Meets SocietyTM—bridge STEM education with entrepreneurship, diversity, and civic engagement. Honored with 13 Emmys and numerous global recognitions, Bertley exemplifies Harold W. McGraw Jr.’s belief that education is a lifelong pursuit—and a catalyst for individual and societal progress.
