What's New! 

Science Discovery Development Board
Science Discovery has a new development board.  We are thrilled to have such a talented and committed group of supporters join us for this important mission. See our board members >>

The Outdoor Classroom 2006-2007
The Outdoor Classroom has received generous funding from the Denver Foundation. This allows Science Discovery to provide Outdoor Classroom experiences to several 5th grade classes at North Star Elementary in Thornton, as well as in other selected Denver area schools. The Outdoor Classroom receives financial support from a number of foundations to develop future leaders of our community who have an eye on a healthy environment. This funding also allows us to continue our collaborative effort with Exempla West Pines Training Center where the focus is on leadership development utilizing adventure education modalities. The Outdoor Classroom has been successful in providing opportunities for urban students to visit Colorado's ecosystems, investigate local wetlands and trails, learn about winter ecology on snowshoes, and discover the mountains during an overnight cabin camping excursion.

This spring, as part of the Outdoor Classroom program, the Alpine Ecology Project is being developed in conjunction with graduate students in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder.  Alpine ecology topics focusing on animal and plant adaptations will be brought to life in three 5th grade classrooms at Goldrick Elementary in Denver.  CU graduate students will facilitate several hands-on classroom lessons sharing University resources, followed by a residential alpine education immersion experience at the CU Mountain Research Center near Nederland, Colorado.  Students will have the opportunity to visit research labs at CU, explore the sub-alpine ecosystem, and participate in follow-up activities while at the CU Mountain Research Station. More about the Outdoor Classroom >>

Math, Science and Technology Classes Summer 2007
Exciting new advanced classes, along with many of our most popular science enrichment classes are being offered this summer!

In collaboration with ATLAS Institute and Science Discovery, Advanced Film and Advanced Animation uses the latest software in digital animation and filmmaking for students to produce their own movie.

To further support and challenge our advanced students we are offering:  Advanced Astronomy, Advanced Lego Mechanics, Astrobiology, Cardiology 101, Electronic Fashions, Robotics, Video Game Creations, and Star Lab – Create your own star show!, to name a few.

In addition, we continue to offer exciting and challenging programming to enrich all students ages 4-16.  New classes for 2007 include:  Lego Mindstorms, Solar Racers, Art & Science classes and much more.

Check out the After-School Classes and Summer Classes for more information on all of our classes.

Science Explorers
Kristi Dahl is the new Science Explorers Program Director. Lannie Hagan, who directed Science Explorers for ten years, retired this past summer.  After 17 very successful years of providing a unique and exciting professional development program for 5-8th grade teachers, we have taken this year to hire the new director and to seek sustainable funding for the program.

We will resume this exciting program in Fall 2007, offering a full day of hands-on science for teams of one teacher and five students.  The topic will be: The Nature of Light: Optics, Lasers, and Animal Vision.  We will collaborate with the NSF Extreme Ultraviolet Light Engineering Research Center to provide this exceptional workshop, curriculum, and material’s kit to each team that attends. 

Please contact Kristi Dahl at Kristi.dahl@colorado.edu for more information or see Science Explorers: Professional Development >>

Science From CU
In Science From CU’s newest program, The Heart of the Matter, students learn about the structure and function of their hearts.  Science From CU presenters bring a plastinated cow’s heart for students to study, touch and explore.  Using the latest educational technology, students view an EKG and learn just what those high and low spikes on an EKG mean and how they can be used to diagnose abnormal heart function.  In Pump it Up! How the Heart Responds to Exercise, students learn how the heart functions to meet the energy demands of humans and other animals.  They will hypothesize and test predictions to the heart’s response to exercise and how it will affect heart rate and C02 levels.  We anticipate an enthusiastic response to this new classroom presentation that will reach students and teachers statewide.

For more information about Science From CU contact Hester Nadel at 303-492-8640 or hester.nadel@colorado.edu, or see Science From CU >>

Physics for Fun
Our great curriculum and video series is now available on DVD. Topics include: Force and Motion; Light; Electricity; Sound; and The Convection Connection. Please call (303) 492-8640 for more information or see Physics For Fun >>