Q. WHAT IS PROJECT EXPLORATION?
A. Project Exploration is a nonprofit science
education organization that makes science
accessible to the public—especially
minority youth and girls—through personalized
experiences with scientists and science.
Cofounded by paleontologist Paul
Sereno and educator Gabrielle
Lyon, Project Exploration specifically
works to
- Create opportunities
for meaningful interactions between science
and the public—especially populations
least likely to have direct access to
science;
- Equip minority youth
and girls with the inspiration and tools
to transform their lives by offering opportunities
to interact with scientists and hands-on
experiences with the wonders of science;
- Connect students, teachers,
and families with authentic science and
practicing scientists to support lifelong
learning, equal access to opportunity,
and scientific literacy.
Q. WHO DO YOU SERVE?
A. Students least likely to get involved
with science and underrepresented in professional
scientific careers participate in our youth
development programs—Services for
Girls, Junior Paleontologists, and Dinosaur
Giants. These intensive programs currently serve more than 250 students annually, ranging in age from 12-17. We also reach more than 60 active alumni, ranging in age from 18-21, through our annual youth development programs and science leadership opportunities. Statistically, an estimated 85%
of our students are from low-income families;
73% are female, 65% are African American,
and 25% are Latino.
Q. DO YOU WORK WITH SCHOOLS?
A. Our services for schools and teachers
focus on offering professional development
opportunities relating to “big ideas”
in science and providing opportunities for
students and teachers to meet and work with
scientists first hand. In the summer of
2006 we will pilot a professional development
field camp for teachers. This camp is designed
to provide personalized experiences with
science and scientists that will strengthen
a teacher’s ability to teach science
through skill-building activities that provide
a scientific toolbox for classroom application.
Q. DO YOU ONLY SERVE THE CHICAGO
REGION?
A. Our public educational exhibits and online
initiatives currently reach more than two
million people worldwide. Regionally, we
have partnered with civic and cultural institutions—Garfield
Park Conservatory, Navy Pier, Chicago Children’s
Museum , and the Gail Borden Public Library
in Elgin—to provide high-quality educational
exhibits at little to no cost. Internationally
our exhibits have been viewed by families
as far as Tokyo, Japan; Sao Paulo, Brazil;
and Leiden, The Netherlands. Lastly, through
our online expeditions we provide regional
teachers and their classrooms direct links
to discovery as it happens.
Q. WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF PROJECT
EXPLORATION’S PROGRAMS?
A. Project Exploration is a high-impact
organization that has developed a track
record of success at
- Enabling students to graduate
and go to college: 96% of the
students who participate in our field
experiences graduate high school. Additionally, Project Exploration students
are 3.4 times more likely to enroll in
a four-year college than a typical Chicago
Public School student.
- Placing students on a pipeline
to professional careers in science: 34%
of all students and 43% of all girls who
graduate from high school as Project Exploration
field alumni have gone on to major in
science.
- Creating educational revenue-generating
entrepreneurial programs that enable access
to science: Through innovative
partnerships with regional and international
cultural institutions, our educational
exhibits bring the wonders of discovery
all over the world while generating revenue
that complements our fundraising efforts.
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