Ocean Discovery Institute

Welcome to Ocean Discovery Institute
Young Lives Transformed Through Science

We are on a mission to inspire the next generation of science leaders! We create hands-on learning experiences for young people traditionally excluded from science due to race, income status, and educational opportunity. Our students will join high-paying fields, break generational poverty, and change the future of science. 

Ocean Discovery Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Tax ID: 33-0862531

A donation at ANY level will ensure 100% tuition-free science experiences to thousands of students who otherwise wouldn't have access!

GIVE $100 to provide one student with monthly mental health services, including therapy and group sessions to build resilience. Your support will ensure we can provide 75 students with mental health support services.

GIVE $500 so that our Ocean Leaders can attend a two-night camping trip with California State Parks. Your support will ensure 75 students experience camping for the first time, connect with nature, and develop leadership skills.

GIVE $1,000 and ensure our high school juniors attend a college trip to discover different universities and get a feel for campus life. Your support will ensure that 15 Ocean Leaders get to visit the college of their dreams!

At Ocean Discovery Institute, we imagine a nation where all our young people succeed. Imagine these young people become the diverse and thoughtful leadership we need. And because of this, cities are resilient to climate change, ecosystems thrive, and discoveries are made that protect our loved ones and make our time on earth even richer. Ocean Discovery Institute imagines just that. But we aren't there yet.

Too many young people are excluded from opportunities due to race, income status, and educational access. These young people don't have the opportunity to experience science or encounter representative role models. For example, there is little to no hands-on science in the classroom, science enrichment programs are cost-prohibitive, lack transportation bars access to internships, and many students don't have the chance to meet a science professional.

This significant opportunity gap means that students don't believe science is something they can do or that a scientist is someone they can be. These young people are unprepared to pursue college and careers in science, keeping them out of high-paying science fields.

Because of this, generational poverty continues, and we lack the leadership needed to make discoveries that protect all people and our planet.

Through tuition-free programs, our K-career students do science, experience mentoring, and build the tools they need to succeed. 

Today, Ocean Discovery reaches 6,000 students a year in City Heights. Our programs are provided at no cost to our students. Our students believe that a scientist is someone they can be. They achieve because of it. They lead by entering high-paying STEM fields like biotech, engineering, environmental consulting, fisheries, marine biology, education, and public policy. These leaders gain financial freedom and change the future of science.

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To learn more about our programs and impacts see our 2023 Annual Report below.

Hear from our Ocean Discovery Institue Alumni, about the difference these programs have made in their lives. 

Meet our Alumni, Mary, who is paving the way for future generations, and see for yourself how young lives are transformed through science!  https://youtu.be/rhbVZlHKpA4 

Meet our Alumni, Richard, a Senior Software Engineer paving the way for future generations. See for yourself how young lives are transformed through science! https://youtu.be/9SchgvWcxLI 

Meet our Alumni, Jared, who is paving the way for future generations and see for yourself how young lives are transformed through science!  https://youtu.be/s-VEJXxmRGU