The Southern California Academy of Sciences is dedicated to promoting fellowship among scientists and those individuals interested in science; to contributing to scientific literature through publication of pertinent manuscripts; to fostering scholarship among young scientists; and to providing information to the membership, to the public, and to public agencies on matters of mutual interest and concern to the sciences and society.

These goals are approached annually by:

1. Conducting symposia and an Annual Meeting that draws together the academic and applied sciences community and students pursuing a career in the sciences.
2. Disseminating the results of original research through the BULLETIN of the Southern California Academy of Sciences, which is published three times a year.
3. Providing Research Grants to students in Undergraduate, Masters, or Doctoral programs who are investigating scientific questions related to the Southern California area.
4. Honoring best student papers and posters at the Annual Meetings with multiple awards.
5. Enabling high school students to conduct original research in a professional laboratory setting through the Research Training Program of the Junior Academy.