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 provide a variety of educational resources and programs for teachers, students, and researchers. We emphasize hands-on, minds-on approaches with goals for improving conceptual understanding, problem-solving skills, and use of advanced technologies.

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Our nation is facing multiple crises in education at all grade levels. Addressing our EDUCATIONAL NEEDS should be the number one priority for the new melinneum.

To address our critical needs the Discovery Institute provides informal leanring experiences for all ages. We have hosted the YOUNG SCIENTISTS RECOGNITION BANQUET where local middle school, high school, and college level students displayed there research projects in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

We also host the annual STEM Showcase for San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara Counties. Here is where local projects in Science-Technology-Engineering-Math (STEM) are displayed for all to see and appreciate - similar to a Science Fair format. For STEM Showcase 2009 John Linsey was our keynote speaker and the big excitement was a on-the-edge-of -your-seat robotics competition (see Robots Invade SLO campus). This year's STEM Showcase 2010) is scheduled for March 13. Hope you can make it.

This coming summer we are offerring ISLAND ECOLOGY which is an exciting field-based course for teachers which will take place at the USC Marine Science Center on beautiful Catalina Island August 2nd through August 7th, 2010.   The course is designed for teachers at all grade levels and involves the principles of ecology applied to islands of the world with a special emphasis on the channel islands of southern California, specifically Catalina Island. You do not have to be a teacher to attend this course.

We provide science tutoring for middle school, high school, and college level. Our tutors are experienced teachers who will significantly increase your satisfaction and understanding in your science classes. W

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.

Our dream 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 help or support this endeavor, then please contact us.

SAN LUIS OBISPO DISCOVERY CENTER

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.