"YSI classes teach pioneer life, archeology and more" by Judy Peterson, Saratoga News on 11-29-10
"Youth Science Institute in Los Gatos: Where kids can walk on the wild side" by William Baeck, Examiner.com on 11-18-10
"Community members, benefactors step up for Youth Science Institute" by Mary Gottschalk, SJ Mercury News on 11-1-10
"YSI summer fundraising nets big bucks" by Judy Peterson, Los Gatos Weekly Time on 10-19-10
YSI Press Release: "YSI Challenge Grant Update" on 10-11-10
"Youth Science Institute seeks matching funds for challenge grant" by Mary Gottschalk, SJ Mercury News on 05-06-10
"Youth Science grant comes with a challenge" by Judy Peterson, LG Weekly Times on 05-20-10
"How trees survived Silicon Valley" by Joe Rodriguez, SJ Mercury News on 04-29-10

YSI classes teach pioneer life, archeology and more
Community Newspapers - MercuryNews.com
By Judy Peterson
jpeterson@community-newspapers.com
November 29, 2010

Pounding acorns, making rope and digging up pieces of the past are just a few of the activities young students will participate in during the Youth Science Institute's December "Science in the Afternoon" program.

Read entire story . . .

Youth Science Institute in Los Gatos: Where kids can walk on the wild side

By William Baeck @gmail.com November 18th, 2010

View Full Slideshow

In 2003, a quarter million 15-year-olds from around the world were tested in their science knowledge. According to InfoPlease, US students at best ranked 20th among industrialized nations. We were outperformed by Makao (5th). We were outranked by the Slovak Republic (18th). We tied with Latvia and the remnants of the Russian Federation. Hurrah.

Fortunately, there are people who want to change this.

A place to learn

For over fifty years the Youth Science Institute (YSI) has been teaching kids from pre-school through 8th grade about science and the natural world. There are three YSI science and nature centers, each focusing on local wildlife—one in San Jose’s Alum Rock Park, one in Sanborn Park in the Santa Cruz mountains, and the one I visited in Vasona Park in Los Gatos.

You say you’ve been to Vasona over 17 thousand times and have never seen the place? That’s because the nature center is half way up the east side of the lake. Just drive into Vasona and follow the road keeping the lake on your left, looking for signs to the YSI along the way.

That stuffed feeling

Inside one of the YSI’s buildings you’ll see more stuffed animals than you’d find in Gomez Addams’ study. A human skeleton hangs out in a corner, stared at hungrily by the wolf that presumably did not eat him.

The taxidermic highlight is a full grown Siberian Brown Bear rearing on its hind legs, complete with a helpful sign admonishing children to “Please touch gently (Using one or two fingers).” It’s good to have choices.

It’s alive

There’s a great range of living animals too. Turtles, snakes, fish, tarantulas, and possibly the cutest animal on the planet—a chinchilla named Britney who rolled around the center in her hamster ball, periodically bonking into my leg in search of a little extra attention.

Workshops

The adjoining learning center is set up for presentations and interacting with nature. Kids can dig for “dinosaur skeletons” in a box filled with woodchips or examine dozens of different kinds of eggs. The day I was there, they were learning about the scientific method by observing, hypothesizing, and experimenting with soap, water, dry ice, and steam in a workshop dubbed “Bubbleology.”

The nature trail

Of course, there’s even more nature outside. Behind the center is a short and extremely well-marked loop leading down to the lake and back. Every few yards you’ll encounter a sign describing a native bush or tree, from silk-tassel bushes to soap plants, to the Harry Potteresque-sounding California mugwort.

Stop by the California bay tree, pull a leaf (I think it can spare one), and rub your skin with it just like the native Ohlone did to hide their scent when hunting animals in the area.

Parents, come on down

I asked Tammy Bigelow, Resource Development Director, about their vistors. She explained that some 30,000 children a year visit the nature centers and about 27,000 of them come with their teachers. That means only 10 percent of visitors are parents bringing their children.

Parents, don’t leave it up to the schools to get your kids to visit. Contact the center to find out when they’re having one of their weekend exhibits. Or here’s an idea: take a couple of hours off during the week to bond with the little ones over Britney and some hissing cockroaches.

Your kids—as well as the Britney and the roaches—will be glad you did.

If you go

Youth Science Institute
298 Garden Hill Drive, Los Gatos
(408) 356-2729

Open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm
Admission to the YSI is free, but donations are happily accepted.
Note that Vasona Park has a $6 vehicle entrance fee.

Location map

Vasona Youth Science Institute website, with a link for directions

Community members, benefactors step up for Youth Science Institute

By Mary Gottschalk
@community-newspapers.com
November 1, 2010

The Youth Science Institute raised $185,400 from community members and benefactors during its recent challenge grant.

Two couples wishing to remain anonymous pledged to match donations to YSI.

The challenge grant was announced on Earth Day, April 22. When contributions fell short, the donors agreed to extend the deadline through the summer to give the nonprofit group more time to encourage community members to donate.

Founded in 1953, YSI delivers science learning programs to nearly 28,000 students annually and also hosts community programs, family events, summer science camps and after-school programs at its Science and Nature Centers in Vasona Park, Alum Rock Park, Sanborn Park and Redwood Grove.

During the summer it offers science camps for preschoolers through sixth-graders.

In 2009 it ended its fiscal year within budget and in the black, thanks in part to a successful Save YSI Campaign.

Funds from this recent challenge grant added to significant donations received earlier from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Myra Reinhard Family Foundation, Xilinx, SanDisk and IBM that will allow YSI to continue its work. YSI also raised $30,000 from its "Science of Golf" tournament that was held at the end of September.

For additional information on YSI and its programs, visit www.youthscience.org.

YSI summer fundraising nets big bucks

By Judy Peterson
October 19, 2010

The Youth Science Institute raised $185,400 during a summer fundraising campaign that included sizable matching grants from two anonymous donors.

YSI also raised another $30,000 from its "Science of Golf" tournament that was held at the end of September.

A few years ago, YSI was in danger of closing its doors and has since re-structured its fundraising activities.

To that end, YSI is planning a benefit concert in April featuring acclaimed jazz singer and pianist Diane Schuur.

YSI serves approximately 30,000 children annually with its nature-based programs at Vasona, Sanborn and Alum Rock parks.

Youth Science Institute (YSI) and Science Castle

The Science Castle team went up into the mountains to visit the Alum Rock Park. There is no better and more exciting place to teach the principles of navigation. Surrounded by nature this science venue offers amazing views and has lots of animals to look at inside the YSI building.