Sally Ride Science has been expanding and evolving in both its audience and scope since its inception, but the last five years have been especially important in this regard.
One of the most recent significant expansions has been the opening of the Sally Ride Science Academy.
“Before the Academy, Sally Ride Science focused only on 4th through 9th grade students,” said Megan Lancaster, Assistant Director for Pre-college Programs and Community Outreach for UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies and acting Director of Sally Ride Science. “We really wanted to expand the reach for both older and younger students. We’re excited to have made that happen.”
Today, the Academy serves students from kindergarten through high school, reaching nearly 800 K–8 students last summer alone. Classes range from marine biology, robotics, pharmaceutical science, filmmaking, sustainable city design, and more.
“We’re bringing in instructors who are industry experts themselves,” Lancaster added. “If a student takes a marine biology course, they’re learning from an actual marine biologist, which is pretty cool.”
But growth hasn’t just been about numbers. It’s also been about meeting students where they are. This means fostering curiosity and confidence for younger program participants, and layering in career exploration and interdisciplinary thinking as they mature.
“Our goal is to make sure our scholars reach just beyond where they are and realize they are capable of more,” said Morgan Appel, Assistant Dean for Teacher and Community Education at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies. “That little extra reach is where young brains get excited.”