In 1983, two public school teachers, Jackie Jackson and Gail Whitney, noticed that children in their classrooms had individual interests or “sparks” that couldn’t be fully addressed within the regular school day. They believed that giving students access to experts in their fields of interest would both inspire them and showcase the careers that follow education. This was, and still is, a particular need for children interested in science and technology, fields that advance faster than most schools can keep up with. Jackie and Gail also felt that this out-of-school supplementary education would help prevent students from dropping out or losing interest in school.
Today, our programs—Classes for All Ages, Camps, School Residencies, Days Off! (K-5), Days Off! (9-12), and Apprenticeships for Science and Engineering (ASE)—inspire K-12 students through hands-on education, led by community experts during out-of-school time. In total, we serve approximately 5,000 students annually. Our focus remains on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Over our 40 years, we have educated, motivated, and challenged generations of young people to follow their curiosity, learn new skills, and connect with local professionals to explore rewarding careers.