Acceso a la Ciencia

Acceso a la Ciencia is a National Science Foundation-funded grant that aims to increase the involvement of Latino students and families in informal science education opportunities, increase parental awareness and involvement in science education, and increase the number of Latino students pursuing undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. Acceso a la Ciencia is a partnership between Yakima Valley/Tri-Cities MESA, Washington State University Tri-Cities, Radio KDNA, and Pacific Science Center.

Pacific Science Center created 30 portable, hands-on exhibits, two 30-minute science shows, and two fliers with fun activities to try at home. One show, flier, and 15 exhibits focus on the different sciences involved in agriculture. The other show, flier, and exhibits focus on getting youth interested in science careers. Visitors investigate a model tidepool, design a girder bridge, learn how bees pollinate plants, and see how grain can be easily moved from a truck up to a silo with the three-foot tall Corn Screw (pictured here to the left). We take all these materials to events such as the Pasco Cinco de Mayo Festival and other family festivals events in the Tri-Cities area.

Yakima Valley/Tri-Cities MESA works to support underrepresented students in achieving and contributing their full potential in the areas of Math, Engineering and Science. Yakima Valley/Tri-Cities MESA recruits student interns from MESA classes at the high school level and parent mentors are engaged through their MESA students. The MESA/Acceso student interns are trained by Pacific Science Center staff to present the exhibits and to perform shows at local events. MESA/Acceso parents serve as mentors in the community and introduce informal science activities to families at local Latino community events.

Radio KDNA publicizes events, creates Spanish science programming, and staff share their perspective on grant materials and approaches.

Washington State University Tri-Cities staff evaluates the impact of the grant and monitor the level of collaboration among partner institutions.

Acceso a la Ciencia is made possible through a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Acceso a la Ciencia is a partnership between Pacific Science Center and ...