CARLSBAD, Calif. — Ocean Discovery Institute surprised attendees with news that their $15 million Living Lab capital campaign has reached completion at their annual Bubble Up! gala on Saturday, August 22 at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa.
The black-tie affair attracted over 300 business and philanthropic leaders in support of Ocean Discovery’s tuition-free science education programs, which will expand to reach 20,000 students in City Heights with the creation of the Living Lab, a science education facility opening in 2017.
The Living Lab capital campaign has reached completion thanks to a $150,000 contribution from the California State Coastal Conservancy (CSCC), making CSCC the first and final donor giving more than $1.1 million throughout the campaign.
“For years, I have seen this organization take the seed of an idea and grow it into something great,” said Joan Cardellino, the South Coast Regional Manager of the CSCC. “The State Coastal Conservancy knows that if you really want to make a difference, you should give to Ocean Discovery. They will use what you give far beyond what you think is possible.”
Though fundraising for the facility is now complete, these capital funds cannot be used to provide programs for students, making gala contributions critical to bring science opportunities to underserved young people each and every day. Gala attendees raised more than $380,000 to continue Ocean Discovery’s transformative education programs.
At the gala, attendees had several opportunities to interact with Ocean Discovery students, past and present, to see how their contributions helped these individuals succeed.
Public officials in attendance included U.S. Congressman Scott Peters, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, San Diego City Councilmember Marti Emerald and San Diego Unified School District Trustee and Board President Marne Foster, and San Diego Unified School District Trustee Kevin Beiser.
Bubble Up! was made possible by sponsors Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves, & Savitch; Boeing; RECON Environmental; aTyr Pharma; Cox Communications; The San Diego Foundation; KP Environmental; San Diego Gas & Electric; Waitt Foundation; Hughes Marino; NRG Energy; and the Beverly J. Gepfer Charitable Foundation.
About the Living Lab
Designed by renowned architect Rob Wellington Quigley, the Living Lab will be a 12,000 square foot, LEED-platinum, cutting-edge facility, strategically located in City Heights within walking distance for thousands of students.
The Living Lab will be more than just a building. It will be a place where:
- Students and teachers explore the fields of science during and after school
- Youth define their college and career aspirations
- Families engage in science and conservation activities relevant to their daily lives
- Scientists from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and other partners conduct research alongside students
- An entire community is transformed through science and conservation
A unique aspect of the project is the joint venture agreement between Ocean Discovery Institute and San Diego Unified. The partnership with San Diego Unified School District will provide San Diego Unified students with more than 70,000 hours per year of standards-based, curriculum-aligned science education during the school day and hands-on experience at all hours.
A ceremonial groundbreaking for the Living Lab will be held in spring 2016.
About Ocean Discovery Institute
Ocean Discovery Institute uses science to empower young people from underserved urban communities to transform their lives, their community and our world as scientific and conservation leaders. Ocean Discovery supporters empower change all year long. There are three ways to participate: donate today, give monthly, or volunteer your time and expertise. Learn more at www.OceanDiscoveryInstitute.org.
###
