Imagine a nation where all of our young people succeed. Imagine these young people become the diverse and thoughtful leadership we need. And because of this, cities are resilient to climate change, ecosystems thrive, and discoveries are made that protect our loved ones and make our time on earth even richer.
Ocean Discovery Institute imagines just that. But we aren’t there yet.
Today, many young people in our country live in poverty and lack opportunities to succeed. One of the opportunities that is glaringly absent is access to rigorous science education. Because of this, kids who grow up in underserved communities don’t believe science is something they can do or that a scientist is someone they can be. This means that we are missing the chance for great discoveries by not including all young people.
Ocean Discovery Institute has a solution. By providing continuous science opportunities paired with mentoring and the tools to overcome challenges, young people unlock their potential.
Today, Ocean Discovery reaches 4,000 students in San Diego, CA. We provide tuition-free opportunities – in and out of the classroom. In California, a state that ranks second to last in science test scores, our in-school program participants increase their science knowledge by 30%. Against a backdrop in which less than 10% of low-income, first-generation college students earn a degree, 70% of our after-school participants earn a college degree within six years.
Ocean Discovery students defy the odds.
Our students believe that a scientist is someone they can be. They think critically and they achieve because of it. They enter the fields of biotech, engineering, environmental consulting, fisheries, marine biology, education, and public policy. They are committed to making a difference.
