The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center announces the Kick-Off Party for 52 Weeks of Science a new science learning initiative in partnership with the communities of Barrio Logan and Logan Heights.

The initiative will feature a free science learning event every week in Barrio Logan and Logan Heights.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

San Diego—More than thirty organizations have come together in partnership with the communities of Barrio Logan and Logan Heights to launch 52 Weeks of Science, an ambitious program to celebrate the wealth of interest and support for STEM education and to bring science learning to San Diego neighborhoods every week of the year.

The initiative will begin with a community kick-off party on Tuesday, October 6, 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Logan Heights Branch Library, 567 S 28th St, San Diego, CA 92113. The public is invited to attend.

The kick-off party will highlight the level of engagement in the already existing STEM education programs in the neighborhood, bring awareness to how the impact of such programs can be magnified when multiple organizations work together and introduce the collective initiative of 52 Weeks of Science as a means to unite with the goal of bringing accessible science learning to the community every week of the year.

The public is invited to join representatives from San Diego City Council District 8, neighborhood schools, nonprofit organizations, volunteer associations and more to learn about 52 Weeks of Science and offer their support and encouragement toward getting the community further involved. Kick-off party attendees will also enjoy free food, music, hands-on activities, interactive science demonstrations and more.

The concept behind 52 Weeks of Science is simple: to leverage the existing investments in STEM education and enhance the efforts that many organizations are already making by further connecting the community of Barrio Logan and Logan Heights with local scientists and organizations that have a deep interest in giving back to the community through science education. In the initiative, partner scientists and organizations offer free science events for a full year, hosted by community organizations, schools and parks in the Barrio Logan and Logan Heights neighborhood.

At 52 Weeks of Science events, attendees can enjoy hands-on demonstrations and interact with local scientists, researchers, engineers and more as they reveal their cutting-edge work. One week, a science author will share his illustrated book highlighting the journey of a tiny seed to a full-grown plant. On another week, astronomers will invite visitors to see through their telescopes and learn about the mysteries of space. Other 52 Weeks of Science events might include spectacularly messy science demonstrations, interactions with robots or fun science projects that participants can take home.

The first scheduled event in 52 Weeks of Science is the Kick-Off Party at the Logan Heights Branch Library, which will also include a Mini-Science Fair. Next, on October 15 from 5 to 6 p.m., SouthWest Robotics will host a demonstration at Logan Elementary School. On October 21 from 6 to 7 p.m., local science author Bradley Zink will share his book, It Starts With a Seed, in the Community Room of El Mercado Apartments. And on October 29, Mad Science will conduct a special demonstration from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Logan Heights Branch Library.

Instrumental groups in the 52 Weeks of Science steering committee include 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.

52 Weeks of Science aligns with the Fleet Science Center's mission "to inspire lifelong learning by furthering the public understanding and enjoyment of science and technology."

"52 Weeks of Science further helps neighborhoods become places where scientific passions can be fed and nourished, motivating the next generation of scientific thinkers," said Steve Snyder, CEO of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. "By partnering with community organizations, 52 Weeks of Science creates a network of STEM education providers with a common goal, to broaden and expand hands-on science activities and learning. By working together we can provide every resident of Barrio Logan and Logan Heights with weekly access to science learning experiences."

The Kick-Off Party for 52 Weeks of Science takes place on Tuesday, October 6, 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Logan Heights Branch Library, 567 S 28th St, San Diego, CA 92113. The event is free and open to the public.

52 Weeks of Science begins October 6 and will last one year.

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 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:

Association for Women in Science—San Diego

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

Dolores Magdaleno Memorial Recreation Center

Dr. Jose Agraz Research

El Mercado Apartments/MAAC