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| Last updated on July 21, 2008 |
The Discovery Center of Idaho, Inc., (DCI) provides an entertaining hands-on environment where children and adults are encouraged to learn by experience and discovery. The center enriches and supplements formal education through an interactive approach to exploring basic and applied science.
Description:
The Discovery Center of Idaho (DCI) is Idaho's premiere hands-on science center and is recognized as a science resource for the entire state. Since December, 1988, DCI has built strong educational programs including Science Saturday and Summer Camp classes for children; School presentations; Outreach classes and presentations; teacher workshops; Star Lab planetarium training; the Statewide Invent Idaho competition; and more. The positive response of teachers, youth, families, and the public toward DCI emphasizes that the center has established itself as a focal point for informal science education.
History:
In 1982 a committee of the Junior League of Boise began research on participatory science centers, having identified a need to enhance science related skills by providing experiences similar to those which children in San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and Spokane enjoy. In the fall of 1984, the league sponsored a 4-week exhibit consisting of a traveling exhibit and exhibits built by local volunteers. 10,000 children and adults visited during the four-week period. In the spring of 1986, a six week traveling exhibit was sponsored and staffed by the League. Exhibits were also built by numerous community volunteers. Ten local corporations provided equipment and expertise. 15,000 visitors including scheduled school field trips participated. Surveys of teachers and visitors from both exhibits indicated the viability of a permanent hands-on science center. A community Board of Directors was established in the fall of 1986. It incorporated separately from the Junior League of Boise, which remained active by committee until 1990-91. The Discovery Center of Idaho opened to the public in 1988, with 27 hands-on exhibits in two exhibit halls. DCI now houses over 150 exhibits in three large exhibit halls and two smaller ones and has just recently added the center's first lab, a computer lab.
Contact people:
 |
Jeanie Hoover, Volunteer Coordinator, (208) 343-9895 ext. 228, (email)
Susan Dittus, Public Programs Director, (208) 343-9895 ext.233, (email) |
Office fax number: (208) 343-0501
Address:
Web Site: http://WWW.scidaho.org
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