The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center announces the successful halfway point of 52 Weeks of Science, a science learning initiative created in partnership with the communities of Barrio Logan and Logan Heights.

52 Weeks of Science was created by San Diego's science, cultural and educational institutions and individuals and organized by the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

San Diego--The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center announces the successful halfway point of the first year of 52 Weeks of Science, an ambitious neighborhood initiative to bring science learning events to the communities of Barrio Logan and Logan Heights every week of the year.

More than 3,000 people have participated in the neighborhood science events since the program's inception last October. The network of collaborating organizations partnering with the neighborhoods of Barrio Logan and Logan Heights has increased from 30 partners at the outset to 56 different science, cultural, educational and community partners today.

The concept behind 52 Weeks of Science is simple: connect the community of Barrio Logan and Logan Heights with local scientists and organizations that have an interest in giving back to the community through science education. The partner scientists and organizations offer free science events hosted by community organizations, schools and parks in the Barrio Logan and Logan Heights neighborhood.

52 Weeks of Science is run by a steering committee that connects the partner scientists and organizations with the community organizations, schools and parks to facilitate the venues for the events and the outreach to the community for attendance. Instrumental groups in the steering committee have included the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego, the Logan Heights Branch Library, Logan Elementary School and Burbank Elementary School. Additional backers of the project include representatives from San Diego City Council District 8, neighborhood schools, nonprofit organizations, volunteer associations and more.

At 52 Weeks of Science events, attendees can enjoy hands-on demonstrations and interact with local scientists, researchers, engineers and more as they share their knowledge and love for science. Recent and u pcoming 52 Weeks of Science events include simple but fascinating physics experiments from the UCSD Young Physicists Program, an opportunity to learn where clouds come from and how they affect weather from the UCSD Center for Aerosol Impacts on Climate and the Environment (CAICE), an encounter with fascinating insects and arachnids with The League of Extraordinary Scientists and a presentation on cell biology given in Spanish by a researcher from the Salk Institute. The venues for these events include the Boys & Girls Club William Oakes Branch, Burbank Elementary and Logan Heights Branch Library.

52 Weeks of Science Success Stories

This initiative's primary success has been increased impact, achieved through multiple organizations working together with the goal of bringing accessible science learning to the community every week.

The 52 Weeks of Science steering committee, headed by Melba Novoa, the program manager of 52 Weeks of Science from the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, has been instrumental in facilitating connections between the community and science organizations with an interest in giving back. One such connection was between Burbank Elementary and the UCSD Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment and Teaching Excellence (CREATE).

"We were fortunate enough to have the science students from UCSD CREATE visit Burbank Elementary to help facilitate the 52 Weeks of Science activities," said Kristen Hurst, 4th grade teacher at Burbank Elementary School. "After the program I had many female elementary students express interest in pursuing a career in science. They particularly enjoyed interacting with the female scientists and even began asking me questions about how to go to UCSD themselves! Inspiring young students to attend college is fantastic and the added benefit of getting female elementary students interested in pursuing a degree in science makes my heart melt!"

Logan Elementary has also been a frequent hosts of 52 Weeks of Science events.

"The Logan K-8 community has been very fortunate to be a part of the 52 Weeks of Science," said Antonio Villar, principal of Logan K-8 School. "Melba [Novoa] and the 52 Weeks of Science Planning Committee have brought a great sense of energy to our campus. Students and parents are joining in conversations on important scientific topics, and learning more and more each day to about the important role scientific inquiry and curiosity play in all of our lives."

The 52 Weeks of Science program has also been a leading force in building the infrastructure of connections to allow education and community organizations to move quickly on new opportunities.

For example, the Fleet Science Center was able to facilitate the Boys & Girls Club William Oakes Branch receiving a grant to share nanotechnology education through the National Informal STEM Education Network. Not only was the grant facilitated through new connections created by 52 Weeks of Science, but the Boys & Girls Club was also able to connect with UCSD CREATE to bring in experienced science educators to facilitate and enhance the learning component of the grant.

Another such example is the Creativity Garden grant awarded to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center by the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), with the generous support of Disney. The aim of the grant is to work with ASTC members, such as the Fleet, to promote collaborations for STEM opportunities in the community. Through the collaborations that have been born out of 52 Weeks of Science, the Fleet and other partners have been able to quickly and efficiently put together a science fair event for the community that meets the parameters of the grant and provides yet another science learning opportunity for the community. This will be the third major science fair of the year in the Barrio Logan and Logan Heights neighborhood as a result of the 52 Weeks of Science program.

"The relationships created by 52 Weeks of Science allow us to act quickly to bring programs to the area when the opportunity arises," said Novoa. "The collaborations happen because we are talking to each other. People are ready to jump in because we have already built up the trust and understanding that comes from working with each other. The relationships are in place that allow for a more organic exchange of resources to bring higher quality STEAM education to these communities."

"The long-term goal of 52 Weeks of Science is to celebrate the wealth of interest and support for STEM education that already exists and to bring science learning to San Diego neighborhoods every week of the year," said Steve Snyder, CEO of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. "For us, the most important benchmark is the level of engagement. For us to have over 2,730 community participants and nearly sixty educational partners in the program at the halfway point is a wonderful success."

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is currently in the process of seeking funding to extend the program beyond the current fiscal year in the communities of Barrio Logan and Logan Heights, and also to expand the program out into other communities.

The Fleet has recently received a $75,000 grant from The Parker Foundation toward the funding of 52 Weeks of Science. The grant was composed of an initial award of $25,000 with a unique matching opportunity if the Fleet was able to raise another $25,000 from additional donors by May 1, 2016. The Fleet did indeed raise the additional $25,000, which the Parker Foundation matched for a total of $75,000.

For more information about 52 Weeks of Science and the current schedule of events, please visit: www.52weeksofscience.org.

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To schedule an interview with the Fleet Science Center, scientists or community representative and partners for 52 Weeks of Science, please contact Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Public Relations Manager Nathan Young at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org.

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52 Weeks of Science is created by San Diego's science, cultural and educational institutions and individuals and organized by the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

52 Weeks of Science partners:

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Association for Women in Science--San Diego

BAME Community Development Corporation

Balboa Elementary School

Barrio Logan College Institute

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego-William J. Oakes Branch

Bradley Zink, Author

Burbank Elementary School

California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC)

City of San Diego

CP Kelco