Show HN: LunchSTEM (probably) the best STEM knowledge base in the world
LunchSTEM is a non-profit, open-source project that aims to provide a comprehensive STEM knowledge base for free. With its user-friendly interface, robust search functionality, and collaborative features, LunchSTEM is set to revolutionize the way we learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Think of LunchSTEM as a hybrid between Wikipedia and FreeCodeCamp, but with a focus on documents rather than just software engineering. The project's goal is to create an evolving knowledge base that can be reviewed and improved by humans and AI agents alike.
Key Features
- Browser App with author homepages, keyword/semantic search, discussion forums, content previews, interactive content visualizations, content starring/tagging/favouriting, making notes on top of documents, trending/popular documents, statistics for documents and authors, and more.
- MCP Server: useful for AI Agents doing complex engineering work or scientific research.
- Proper CLI where users can do keyword and semantic search.
Directory Structure and Naming Conventions
The LunchSTEM directory structure is well-organized, with files and folders named using a consistent convention. The __Loopback directory contains pointer files (.sym.txt) that point to the actual files located inside it, making it easier to navigate the repository.
Files and Folders Naming Conventions
- .sym.txt: a pointer file that points to the actual file located inside the __Loopback directory.
- to_add.txt: a file that contains links to materials to be included later in LunchSTEM.
- Files or folders starting with MEGA indicate aggregator materials (materials that aggregate a bunch of links regarding a specific topic).
- Files or folders starting with Awesome indicate super high-quality content.
Contributing to LunchSTEM
LunchSTEM is an open-source project, and contributions are welcome. If you're interested in contributing to the project, please check out our CONTRIBUTING.md file for guidelines on how to get involved.
Guidelines for Content Removal Requests
If you find any copyrighted content or content without proper credit attribution data, please open an issue and/or make a PR and/or send an email to bruno.c.scaglione@gmail.com. We aim to resolve the problem in 24 hours.
Streamlined Protocol for Content Removal Requests
This option is faster and more friendly than a DMCA notification. If we receive multiple DMCA notifications, the project risks being removed from GitHub (even after taking down the contents) and a lot of people that could benefit from it will be affected.
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Compliance
We comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). For formal takedown requests, please follow the DMCA process. Credit attribution data of a pdf file is stored in
Sponsorship and Grants
We welcome sponsors and grants to support our app hosting; build a dedicated team of LunchSTEM maintainers; pay experts for peer-review processes; and route a percentage of the money to contributing authors. All sponsorship money would be reinvested in the project, it's a non-profit project.
Want to Be a Sponsor?
Send an email to bruno.c.scaglione@gmail.com with the subject "[lunchSTEM] Sponsorship" To all the authors that made their content publicly available. To our contributors, maintainers and sponsors that keep the project alive and evolving.