So what is this Science Outreach Program all about?
Mission:
The Science Outreach Program aims to reach out to the greater community and promote an interest in science within a Christ-centered environment. Our purpose is to serve the advancement of science education, raise the scientific consciousness of the community, and share the resources of the George Fox University Science Department.
History:
The George Fox University Science Outreach Program was created in 1994 by Dwight Kimberly with the help of a grant from the MJ Murdock Charitable Foundation. At this time, a well equipped science laboratory was dedicated for the Science Outreach Program in the newly built Edwards-Holman Science Center. Simply put, Dwight’s desire was, and is, to help teachers teach science better. We are happy to work with all kinds of teachers, whether from public or private schools, home school parents, or anyone interacting with children.
Dwight’s vision included the loaning of valuable resources to under-equipped science teachers and providing encouragement and brainstorming opportunities to support these same teachers. Dwight also undertook to build a close working connection with the George Fox University Teacher Education Program and to provide support to the home school community, by providing Youth (home-school) Science Classes taught by George Fox University science undergraduate students.
The Science Outreach Program has grown to include formal associations with several school districts, OHSU, OMSI and Newberg Community School; connections with over one-hundred twenty teachers, thirteen school districts and over sixty schools. Countless home school children have attended our Youth Science Classes. Over time, George Fox University has built a national reputation for excellent science outreach and serves as a model for similar outreach programs.
Services
Many of our services fall under one of four primary categories:
Youth Science Classes: Science classes taught by George Fox University undergraduate students in a laboratory setting. These classes are popular with, but not restricted to, home schooling families.
Interschool Equipment Loan Program: George Fox University loans science equipment to public and private school teachers, home school parents and members of the greater George Fox University community.
Laboratory and Facility Outreach: Use the GFU laboratories, equipment and resources. Additionally, Human Anatomy and Physiology and state-of-the-art equipment demonstrations are available.
Star Lab: The Star Lab is a portable planetarium. Come to GFU or we bring the field trip to you!
Teachers are encouraged to contact Amy Ocker or Dwight Kimberly if they have any questions about teaching science; we love to help by brainstorming ideas. We strive to support your efforts to teach engaging and informative laboratory experiences. Additionally, we have been known to help judge science fairs, provide in-service workshops and provide lectures. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
Science Outreach Personnel:
Dwight Kimberly is the Science Outreach Program Director and Founder. Dwight has taught for over 35 years and been an Associate Professor of Biology at George Fox University since 1994. He earned the Carnegie Foundation’s Oregon Professor of the Year award in 2000.
Amy Ocker is the Science Outreach Program Administrator. Amy has a Biology Degree from George Fox University and has worked with the Science Outreach Program for over six years. During an interim break with the program, she taught high school biology at Westside Christian High School. Amy oversees the Youth Science Classes, Laboratory and Facility Outreach, and Star Lab.
Jane Sweet is the Science Outreach Program Coordinator. In addition to providing administrative assistance, Jane coordinates the science equipment loan program and takes care of the scheduling for the Star Lab, laboratory use, demonstrations and science classes. Additionally Jane works as the Administrative Assistant to the George Fox Biology and Chemistry Department.
Mailing List
We maintain an email contact list. If you would like to be on our email list to receive updated Youth Science Classes flyers, please email Jane Sweet at jsweet@georgefox.edu.