To inspire the next generation of science leaders, Ocean Discovery Institute creates learning experiences for young people traditionally excluded from science due to race, income status, and educational opportunity. Our students will join high-paying fields, break generational poverty, and change the future of science.
Believe, Achieve, & Lead
As a result of our educational programming, our students will:
- Believe that science is something they can do and a scientist is someone they can be.
- Achieve in science and think critically.
- Lead in science and conservation to make a difference.
Our model provides science opportunities and experiences, mentoring, and tools for success to build belief, achievement, and leadership in underserved young people from kid to career. We provide continuous, tuition-free science education across our “school-shed” – defined as the young people that feed into and through a single high school cluster, the Herbert Hoover High School cluster in City Heights. To reach our entire school-shed, Ocean Discovery Institute offers three levels of participation.
Check out our 2023-24 Evaluation Report (PDF) to learn more about how we evaluate our programs.
In-School Programs
By partnering with every school in the Hoover High School school-shed, our In-School programming ensures that every student has the opportunity to believe that science is something they can do and a scientist is someone they can be.
Elementary School Through three experiences each year, elementary school students 1) build community in their classroom, 2) explore a coastal watershed habitat, and 3) make a difference, both today and tomorrow, during a trip to the Living Lab.
Middle School In middle school, students build their community’s resiliency to climate change through experiences in their classrooms and at the Living Lab.
High School At the high school level students will dialogue with science leaders and program alumni about pursuing science and becoming a leader who makes a difference in the face of systemic barriers.
Out-of-School Programs
In partnership with families, our Out-of-School programming provides place-based science and conservation programming for K-8th grade students after-school and during the summers. Longer-term relationships with students and families promote attendance at multiple programs each year of a student’s academic pathway. Programs are designed to provide students the opportunity to believe that science is something they can do while demonstrating they can achieve a positive academic performance and greater understanding of scientific concepts.
After-School and Summer Camps provide week-long experiences for students K-8. Curriculum themes change each academic year and summer, allowing each young person the opportunity to participate in unique programming twice a year. For students K-8.
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Monthly Field Trips enable families to explore coastal environments, experience college campuses, and science and science-related companies. For students K-8. Field Trips are currently on hold.
Community Events generate collective energy and a sense of belonging. For students of all ages and families. In-person events are currently on hold.
Leadership Programs
Our Leadership Programs are our most intensive level and offer young people who want to do more, the opportunity to do more, as they progress on their pathway from middle school through college and beyond. By pairing rigorous science programming and experiences with college and career support services, this initiative aims to develop young people who lead using science and conservation to make a difference in their community and our world.
Ocean Leaders Each year, a new cohort of 8th grade students are recruited to be part of the Ocean Leaders program. Over the course of 4+ years, participants will build their research experience through intensive summer programs. During the school year, Ocean Leaders participate in regular science programming, coaching, mentoring, and practice in their tools for success. For 8th Grade students who will attend Hoover High School. Application and Interview required.
Discovery Fellows Through fellowships for high school students, college students, and college graduates, individuals gain professional work experience at Ocean Discovery Institute. Working in these job settings, young people take an important exploratory step along their pathway and develop the skills needed to compete in the marketplace. See our AmeriCorps page for current opportunities.