Discovering the Science of the Environment (DSE) is an inquiry-based, interactive science education program for central Indiana 5th through 12th grade students and education professionals.
Discovering the Science of the Environment: earth and environmental science programs for schools
Community Science
Science teachers: learn more about community-based science projects that provide opportunities for involving your students in the scientific process and contributing to actual research.
Informed by research in earth & environmental sciences and ecology, this program provides specially designed curriculum and state-of-the-art technology resources to help educators utilize school ground natural areas and nature centers to instruct students in an experiential environment.
Educator professional development, education program delivery with a mobile science lab, and after school science clubs provide unique opportunities to raise the level of environmental awareness and science aptitude for Indiana youth.
Discovering the Science of the Environment is offered by the Center for Earth and Environmental Science (CEES). The program seeks to:
- fundamentally change the way students and the public view the environment and their role in improving environmental quality;
- develop scientifically and technologically skilled students and teachers who are engaged in scientific inquiry and;
- interest students in career pathways in science, math, engineering, and technology.
Opportunities offered through the DSE program
Science! Sprinter
Mobile STEM lab programs
Equipped with a variety of field gear and technology tools, the Science! Sprinter travels to your school to provide education programs using school ground* natural areas. Please contact: cees@iu.edu for more information.
*Nearby parks or nature centers are also options.
Professional Development Institutes
Summer and academic year workshops
CEES offers professional development workshops designed to help teachers broaden their environmental science skills and earn continuing education credits. Please contact cees@iu.edu to suggest potential topics of interest for future workshops.
After School Science Clubs
Science without stress.
CEES is looking for teachers/schools interested in participating in extracurricular science activities designed to foster student appreciation of science, increase interest in STEM careers, and enhance student learning outcomes. If interested, please contact the Center at cees@iu.edu.
Past Support for DSE
Discovering the Science of the Environment has benefitted from wide ranging support from private and public partners. Veolia Water Indianapolis made the lead philanthropic gift to create the program in 2007. Additonal major donors for creating and sustaining the program have included the Duke Energy Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Citizens Water, NASA, Indianapolis Power & Light, Dr. Laura Hare Charitable Trust, Dow AgroSciences, UPS, and DJ Angus-Scientech Education Foundation, Inc.
A significant grant from the Duke Energy Foundation in 2016 allowed us to build a new mobile technology vehicle; the new mobile unit is enabling CEES to expand the DSE curricula to include energy programs as well as environmental programs. Support from DowAgroSciences in 2013 allowed us to expand our mobile technology trailer programming, provide enhanced STEM support in IPS schools, and offer informal education experiences, including after-school and summer programming. A major gift from Citizens Energy in 2012 provided broad support of CEES programming, including support for the mobile trailer and special event programming. A grant from NASA in 2013/14 supported upgrades to the mobile technology equipment.
