Champions of Science

Thank you for your interest in the Champions of Science! We are not currently accepting new students or applications, but we hope to relaunch this enrichment program for middle school students in the future. Please check back for updates on our enrollment process for the Champions of Science program.

Champions of Science has two primary goals:

• to interest and retain students’ knowledge and excitement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) subjects and potential careers at a critical time in adolescent development;
• to create a pipeline to Chabot’s high school community service and internship program, the Galaxy Explorers.

Champions of Science exclusively serves underserved middle school students from the Oakland Unified School District. Champions develop students knowledge and excitement about STEM and gives participants exposure to various careers. Champions learn how to think critically through scientific inquiry based activities and experiments and participate in educational games, attend CSSC’s featured planetarium shows, and explore our state of the art exhibits.

Champions of Science is an after-school program that meets one day per week. Students work both inside and outside of the classrooms, investigating age appropriate topics such as earth sciences, climate education, Nano technology, space exploration, media production, and robotics. Our classroom serves as a fully functional science lab, giving students access to sophisticated technology and equipment they may not have access to at school.

Champions are inspired and mentored by our dynamic educational staff, as well as by our teen volunteers, the Galaxy Explorers. With classroom experience and mentorship from the Galaxy Explorers, Champions will gain the skills and confidence to work with the public doing science demonstrations on the Center floor  during  events throughout the school year. Champions also have an opportunity to participate in a week-long science-based summer camp.

The Champions of Science program is made possible by the generous support of:

• The Clorox Foundation
• PG&E
• Cisco