Making Waves with the Ocean Discovery Institute

How You Can Help a Charity for the Future

For many San Diego is the Jewel- a city that represents warm beaches, lovely parks, beautiful scenery, vibrant neighborhoods and the even the world-famous zoo. However, some children experience their city in quite a different light. For example, many children living in the community of City Heights, San Diego, have never visited these city highlights and also lack natural areas to explore within their immediate environment. Additionally, many of these children have a limited science education due to a scarcity of resources at their school.

What is the Ocean Discovery Institute?

The Ocean Discovery Institute is an organization whose main goal is to revolutionize young lives through science by starting where there is much diversity and need for such a project. The theory is that by exposing the young children of City Heights to real-life science both in the classroom and on the shores of the nearby ocean, the children will become curious and develop a lifelong thirst for knowledge (especially regarding science and conservation). And this theory has been proven true by the institute’s success rates. In fact, Ocean Discovery students are eight times more likely to earn a college degree within five years compared to the average low-income college student. Furthermore, nine out of 13 schools served by the institute have seen a significant increase in science test scores, and seven out of ten Ocean Discovery college students choose to major in a scientific field. Plus, in 2016, 100 percent of the students in the College Access Mentor Program were accepted into college. This organization has been so successful and inspiring, in fact, that founder and executive director Shara Fisler changed her career path to make it grow from a simple summer camp to what it is today.

Programs

The Ocean Discovery Institute has three major programs that help ensure a successful future for the young people of City Heights. Starting with the program that partners with the schools to work with them to ensure better science education. Through working with students alongside their teachers, students are engaged in hands-on science to fully excite their minds. Ocean Discovery Institute also encourages families to get involved by sponsoring community programs that encourage student leadership and conservation through restoration of some of the canyons in the area. They also have leadership programs that help ensure that children interested in a career in science and conservation have the right tools to achieve their goals. Through after-school and summer programs, students become "Ocean Leaders" who learn about the world of science by working alongside actual scientists and teachers conducting research and helping with projects. These experiences allow the children to get excited about their education and their future by showing them first-hand what the future could hold for them as scientists.

What Does the Future Hold for the Ocean Discovery Institute?

Soon the Ocean Discovery Institute will be opening the doors to their new Living Lab, which will be the Ocean Discovery Institute’s permanent site in the middle of City Heights. The science and conservation education facility has partnered up with the San Diego Unified School District and is often within walking distance for most kids. It will be a place where students and teachers can learn science alongside scientists and researchers. Unfortunately, construction delays have postponed the initial grand opening, but by the beginning of next year we can all look forward to wonderful things taking place at the Ocean Discovery Institute.

How You Can Help

To get involved and help with this wonderful cause check out the Ocean Discovery Institute’s available volunteer positions on their website. Or, if you’re short on spare time, consider making a donation. You can also check out the list of non-cash donation options on the website including donating lab supplies, diving supplies, food, etc. www.oceandiscoveryinstitute.org