WELCOME
TO THE DISCOVERY INSTITUTE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE
AND
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
The
DISCOVERY INSTITUTE is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) tax exempt
organization (EIN - 20-2949009), dedicated to the improvement
of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at all levels,
particularly in informal settings. We directly address the crises in education at all grade
levels and the alarming fact that less than half of our students are proficient in science. Our number one priority is Inspiring STEM education for the new
melinneum where the schools must be different to meet the needs of a changing society. What will schools of the future be like?
The Discovery Institute provides informal and formal learning experiences for all ages, educational resources, and professional development for teachers. We emphasize hands-on, minds-on approaches
with goals for improving conceptual understanding, problem-solving
skills, and use of advanced technologies.
DISCOVERY
INSTITUTE FLYER
DISCOVERY INSTITUTE IS NOW ON FACEBOOK!!!
EVENTS and ACTIVITIES
On Satuday, June 4th, 2011 we hosted the Annual STEM Showcase. Students from San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara Counties demonstrate exciting and innovative projects in Science-Technology-Engineering-Math
(STEM). We are planning an edge-of-your-seat robotics competition ( Robots Invade SLO campus) and an inspiring keynote address.
We were co-planners the Central Coast STEM Education Forum, held May 24th at Rancho El Chorro. This event brought together professionals, business leaders, non-profits, STEM education organizations, and education, community and governmental leaders to discuss the condition of K-12 STEM education on the Central Coast. Chris Roe, Director for the California STEM Learning Network and General Susan Helms were our guest speakes. One outcome was the development of the Central Coast STEM Education Collaborative which will focus on better STEM opportunities and experiences for students at all grade levels.
We have also been part of the P-16 Mathematics and Science Task Force which promotes STEM education professional develoopment at all grade levels to open a wider STEM Pipeline that will prepare students for a STEM-based future.
Additionally,
we coordinate the "Science
In Our Community Lecture Series." which
involves a series of evening presentations for the general
public by local and visiting scientists about "hot
topics" in science, technology, engineering or
mathemmatics (STEM). Our fist lecture on July 21st,
2007 was given by Jim Wheeler, was “Human-Primate
Communication: My Life with KOKO." This well attended talk was a fabulous success and generated much
interest in non-human intelligence. If you have a speaker in mind please contact us to discuss.
COURSES
We support ISLAND BIOLOGY , an awesome field-based course, held at the USC Marine Science Center on beautiful Catalina Island. The course examines principles of island ecology, evolution, and biogeography with a special emphasis on the channel islands of southern California, specifically Catalina Island. It is currently being offered for credit through Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, California
STEM RESOURCES
STEM Education Coalition
CSLNet
Endeavor Institute
Central Coast STEM Collaborative
Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative
Walt Reil's STEM Links
OUR DREAM
Our
vision is to create the "The San
Luis Obispo Discovery Center," to promote informal
education through exciting interactive hands-on, minds-on
learning experiences in all fields of science, health,
math, engineering, and techology for all ages. We have a business plan and architecural renderings. If you or your organization would like to be a part of this endeavor, then please contact us.
Utilizing green building architecture,
this unique Discovery Institute will provide state-of-the-art
for hands-on exhibits, classrooms, conference center,
IMAX theater, planetarium/observatory, organic research
farm, organic food restaurant, and much much more.
As the primary tourist attraction of San Luis Obispo
County, the San Luis Obispo Discovery Center will
draw visitors from around the world to the central
Coast area. The impact for tourism, family wellness,
and education is simply awesome.
CONTRIBUTIONS
to the DISCOVERY INSTITUTE from individuals, families,
agencies, corporations, and the government support
its programs, activites, and mission.
We do not discriminate on the basis of sex,
creed,or ethnicity
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STEM
SHOWCASE
2011
Last year's showcase took place on June 4th at Cuesta College. It was a grand success!
Please visit the web page to see pictures and hear more about this fabulous event. |
ISLAND
BIOLOGY Course
SUMMER 2012
June 9th - 15th
Learn about the ecology of Catalina Island while hiking, snorkling, and doing scientific research. Credit is offered through CUESTA COLLEGE
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