City of Diamond Bar
2024‐27 Educational Outreach
Proposal
About Discovery Cube
The mission of Discovery Cube is to inspire and educate young minds through engaging and impactful science‐ based programs and exhibits. With more than 120 hands‐on exhibits at Discovery Cube locations and 300 remote‐based activities hosted online at Discovery Cube Connect, Discovery Cube offers families, teachers, and students fun and innovative ways to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEM/STEAM).
At Discovery Cube, we imagine a world of positive change through science education. As a national award‐winning science center and a champion of STEM education, we strive to enrich young minds in a safe and constructive environment. Our commitment begins with setting educational goals that focus on important scientific principles that are a part of our everyday lives, influencing the lives of children and their families both on‐site at Discovery Cube Orange County and in Los Angeles, and off‐site in six Counties across Southern California.
Background
Discovery Cube is committed to offering environmental educational programs through the highly successful Eco Challenge interactive exhibits. These exhibits, which have been part of the City of Diamond Bar’s initiative, have reached numerous City of Diamond Bar students through the Assembly and Fieldtrip program and families at community events such as Earth Day, inspiring significant positive change in the community.
Discovery Cube has introduced an Organic Waste Lab as a new addition to the Eco Challenge Exhibits at Discovery Cube OC. With the implementation of SB 1383, this outdoor exhibit is an important educational tool for students and residents to learn about preserving environmental resources through organic recycling and composting. In addition to the Exhibits, we have updated our educational curriculum to include organic waste diversion, recycling, and reduction as outlined under our curriculum overview. We are excited and eager to continue our close collaboration with the City of Diamond Bar community, leveraging our shared resources and expertise to deliver tangible results.
Curriculum Overview
Discovery Cube’s innovative environmental science program, 'Greener Pathways: Exploring our Environment,' is a transformative journey for students. It aims to ignite a passion for environmental stewardship from first through sixth grade. Each year, the program will guide students on an inspiring path, shaping them into Earth Guardians – individuals dedicated to protecting our environment, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable living. As they progress through the program, they will delve deeper into the captivating world of environmental science, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to become champions for our planet.
Throughout this program, students will:
• Discover the wonders of our planet's diverse ecosystems and learn why it's crucial to protect them. • Explore the magic of recycling, composting, and waste reduction, and understand how these actions positively impact our environment.
• Students will not only gain insights into the laws and regulations, such as California's SB 1383, that guide our collective efforts in reducing waste and conserving resources, but they will also actively participate in hands‐on activities, community projects, and advocacy initiatives. This interactive approach empowers them to make a meaningful difference in their surroundings, fostering a sense of responsibility and engagement. It's not just about learning; it's about taking action.
In‐Class Assembly and Field Trip Grades 3 through 6
DCOC proposes to reach 725 students in public and private Diamond Bar‐based schools from the 3rd through 6th grade levels. The Grade‐Specific Greener Pathways Environmental Education Program is as follows:
Interactive in‐class instruction using a curriculum developed for the Greener Pathways Environmental education program
Grade‐specific student booklet summarizing key concepts to accompany the in‐school assembly Online family survey to help gauge home recycling habits Incentive of a child’s admission ticket to those who participate in the survey. Private schools, including Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, will be part of the City of Diamond Bar’s assembly and field trip program as described in this agreement. Any other private schools will be added to the program for this environmental education program at the request of the City of Diamond Bar. Field trip to DCOC for the students attending the in‐class workshop, with a bus stipend of up to $750.Grades include the 3 & 4
Assembly
Eco Warriors: Our Mission for a Greener Tomorrow
Objective: To introduce third and fourth‐grade students to waste reduction, smart consumer choices, and composting. Students will understand the role of legislation like SB 1383 and will learn how they can take actionable steps to contribute to these efforts.
Grades 5 & 6 Assembly
Champions of Change: Empowering Environmental Leaders Objective: To engage fifth and sixth‐grade students in interactive learning experiences that will deepen their understanding of environmental sustainability and empower them to take action in their communities.
Field Trip to Discovery Cube Grades 3‐6
Field Trips to Discovery Cube include 1 hour, with a 20‐30‐minute specific grade‐level presentation by Discovery Cube demonstrators for grades 3‐6 that aligns with the program content, exploring the Environmental Exhibits and exploring all science center exhibits.
DCOC provides all aspects of Education Program delivery, including:
Booking of in‐school assembly and accompanying field trips Providing teachers for the in‐school assembly and assigning staff to lead field trips while at DCOC. Procuring, storing, and managing delivery of classroom supplies and equipment and educational booklets needed to complete the Workshop
Collecting, analyzing, and reporting on home surveys
Virtual Visit Programs:
DCOC will continue to offer a virtual visit option to eligible schools. This option would function very similarly to the traditional in‐school program, except instruction taking place online via Microsoft Teams webinar. The booking process would be identical to an in‐person assembly, with DCOC reaching out to only approved schools and grade levels to promote and book the program. A webinar will be used instead of an in‐class presentation on the event day. This presentation will be done live, over the internet, allowing students and our educators to communicate and interact. Instead of using keypads for polling during onsite presentations, DCOC will send an online survey to the participants to collect learning data and a digital version of the booklet.
DCOC will provide educational outreach at the following community events:
Earth Day: City of Diamond Bar Annual Community Event Parks Summer Program: Organic educational interactive outreach activities for K‐6 Grade Level (Optional) Any additional events (e.g., America Recycles Day) will be on an as‐needed basis. The City Staff will notify DCOC 90 days before the event and approve when this service request is needed. The rate for (1) one educator for 50 students is $2,300.
Term
DCOC proposes to provide the Education program for three years, beginning in 2024‐25 and ending in 2026‐27.
Cost and Fee Schedule
Exhibit A, outlines the City of Diamond Bar’s Compensation Schedule, which details the cost and fee structure. Exhibit A specifies that an initial start‐up payment is made at the beginning of the school year to cover the program's capital costs and content creation.
Summary
The innovative approach of the Greener Pathway’s Education program perfectly fitsthe City of Diamond Bar and its current outreach programs. Please forward any questions regarding this proposal to Isabel Rios, Director of Partner Relations, at [email protected].
EXHIBIT "A"
CITY OF DIAMOND BAR COMPENSATION SCHEDULE
2024-25 through 2026-27 EDUCATION PROGRAM
COMPENSATION SCHEDULE
Title Description Rate Per
Student
Student
Target
Total
Projected
Cost
Grades 3-6
Assembly
Programs
(Public/Private
Schools)
Grade-specific Greener Pathways
environmental education assemblies
3-4 Eco Warriors
5-6 Champions of Change
$10.00 725 $7,250
Grades 3-6
Booklets
(Public/Private
Schools)
Grade-specific Greener Pathways
environmental education booklets
$3.00 725 $2,175
Grades 3-6
Surveys & Tickets
(Public/Public
Schools)
Grade-specific Greener Pathways
environmental education Surveys and
Tickets
$5.00 725 $3,625
Grades 3-6 Field
Trip
(Public/Private
Schools)
Field trips to Discovery Cube
Orange County’s Eco Challenge
Exhibits
3-4 Eco Warriors
5-6 Champions of Change
$14.00 425 $5,950
Bus Stipend
(Public/Private
Schools)
Field Trip Grades 3-6 (Up to 45
students per bus
Up to
$750.00
9 Buses @
45 Students
per Bus
$6,750
Administrative
Fee
Teacher Equipment - includes props,
supplies, and IT equipment for field
trips and outreach programs.
$7,000 One-Time
Annual Fee
$7,000
Earth Day Annual Community Event 2/Educators 150
Residents
$3,450
Parks Summer
Program K-6
Annual Summer Event for K-6 Grade
Level Organic Educational
Interactive Outreach Activities
2/Educators 100-200
Students
$3,450
Subtotal $39,650