Science is Cool After School (SICAS) began as an after school project that was offered for two hours twice a week. The initial goal was to demonstrate to students how science impacts their lives every day. Once that had been achieved, students began to realize that science could improve their lives by providing them with the skills necessary to obtain a quality job with potential for personal growth. The first official meeting only attracted six students. After incorporating SICAS into the after school program and four branches of the local Boys and Girls clubs, the program now reaches around 400 students every month. The SICAS program has also created an educational television show that is broadcast on a local station to an average of 15,000 viewers every month. Show content has included programs on the scientific method, the environmental threats to Sarasota Bay, and on the creation of artificial reefs.

In the summer of 2003, SICAS was granted permission by the Manatee County Department of Environmental Protection to begin building 900 artificial reef balls to help improve water quality in Sarasota Bay. After deployment, SICAS formed a partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County and the Manateens to begin maintaining the thirteen artificial reefs created offshore. This group will be collectively known as the "The Reef Rakers". They will learn how to scuba dive and will work cleaning the reefs and monitoring surrounding water quality.

SICAS has also worked with the Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program and the Manatee County government to develop a new county park project known as Robinson Preserve. They have joined forces with the local chapter of the Audubon Society to create a bird sanctuary and learning center. In cooperation with the "Keep Manatee Beautiful" campaign, SICAS has adopted a four-mile stretch of shoreline to improve the health of area waters. Students have had the opportunity to work on several hands-on projects including estuary restoration, field identification, water quality monitoring, and overall habitat management. SICAS has received recognition in the National Guardians of the Gulf program and was given the Award of Excellence for Outstanding Achievement in Water Conservation and Education from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The program has also expanded and created an Enviro-Camp Program. According to their teacher Rick Smith, "Every community or school should provide a vision for the future of that entity and then allow the students to find their place in that vision."

The Nature Conservancy stated, "The Nature Conservancy applauds the Science is Cool After School program for empowering students to make a positive impact on their environment. This program has introduced the students to a wide variety of environmental threats and proactive solutions to these threats. One of the Nature Conservancy's main initiatives is to protect marine ecosystems. We are glad the Science is Cool After School program is also helping to safeguard these precious places."