About Us
The Youth Science Institute (YSI) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization whose mission is "to inspire enthusiasm for science and a love of learning". We fulfill our mission by offering hands-on, nature-based, science education to children, families, and the general public. We offer School and Group Programs, Summer Science Camps, weekend Science Safaris, and annual community events. Many of our programs include live animals and nature hikes. Each year, we deliver inquiry-based life, physical, earth, and social science to nearly 30,000 pre-K to sixth-grade students. Since our founding in 1953, we have served hundreds of thousands of children.
YSI maintains three Science and Nature Centers, where we deliver our hands-on science and experiential environmental education programs: Alum Rock Park, San Jose, CA; Sanborn County Park, Saratoga, CA; and Vasona Lake County Park, Los Gatos, CA. Each Center has unique artifacts, collections, and resources that connect the public with nature while teaching science.
eNews SignupYSI maintains three Science and Nature Centers, where we deliver our hands-on science and experiential environmental education programs: Alum Rock Park, San Jose, CA; Sanborn County Park, Saratoga, CA; and Vasona Lake County Park, Los Gatos, CA. Each Center has unique artifacts, collections, and resources that connect the public with nature while teaching science.
Our Board of Directors:
Meghan Burton, President
Robin O'Hern, Secretary
Sandy Knell, Treasurer
Nathalie Carvajal, Director
Kris Ingram, Director
Dave Ziegler, Director
Our Staff:
Erika Buck, Executive Director
erika@ysi-ca.org
Serena Flores, Program Manager
serena@ysi-ca.org
Alex Schord, Animal Curator
alex@ysi-ca.org
Instructors:
Allyson Dudzinski
Ros Edmonds
Elizabeth Geurts
Haley Skov
Abby Woodward
Amy Wynes
IRS Form 990: (Click to download PDF copy)
IRS Form 990 - 2014
IRS Form 990 - 2015
IRS Form 990 - 2016
IRS Form 990 - 2017
IRS Form 990 - 2018
IRS Form 990 - 2019
IRS Form 990 - 2020
Financial Statements: (Click to download PDF copy)
Financial Statements - 2014
Financial Statements - 2015
Financial Statements - 2016
Financial Statements - 2017
Financial Statements - 2018
Financial Statements - 2019
Financial Statements - 2020
YSI Policies:
Donor Privacy Policy
Records Retention and Destruction Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Whistleblower's Notice
Conflict of Interest Policy
YSI In The News:
The Mercury News
Meghan Burton, President
Robin O'Hern, Secretary
Sandy Knell, Treasurer
Nathalie Carvajal, Director
Kris Ingram, Director
Dave Ziegler, Director
Our Staff:
Erika Buck, Executive Director
erika@ysi-ca.org
Serena Flores, Program Manager
serena@ysi-ca.org
Alex Schord, Animal Curator
alex@ysi-ca.org
Instructors:
Allyson Dudzinski
Ros Edmonds
Elizabeth Geurts
Haley Skov
Abby Woodward
Amy Wynes
IRS Form 990: (Click to download PDF copy)
IRS Form 990 - 2014
IRS Form 990 - 2015
IRS Form 990 - 2016
IRS Form 990 - 2017
IRS Form 990 - 2018
IRS Form 990 - 2019
IRS Form 990 - 2020
Financial Statements: (Click to download PDF copy)
Financial Statements - 2014
Financial Statements - 2015
Financial Statements - 2016
Financial Statements - 2017
Financial Statements - 2018
Financial Statements - 2019
Financial Statements - 2020
YSI Policies:
Donor Privacy Policy
Records Retention and Destruction Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Whistleblower's Notice
Conflict of Interest Policy
YSI In The News:
The Mercury News