About Us
Advancing Science is the Science Outreach Program from Gettysburg College that began operations in the Fall of 1994. Funding has been provided by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Whitaker Foundation, AMP/Tyco Electronics, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Gettysburg College. Vans stocked with science equipment visit schools throughout six counties in Pennsylvania. Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade use the equipment to experience science first hand. The vans provide materials not readily available in the school, or supplement existing equipment. The van drivers are trained science teachers available to assist classroom instructors with activities. The program is designed to give students more opportunities to actually do science, rather than observe as passive participants. The goal is to involve students with problem solving and manipulating materials as often as possible in their educational careers. Studies have shown that children lose interest in science over time -- Advancing Science tries to combat that loss, by making science interesting, understandable, and applicable to real life. A tall order, but we are confident these goals are being met.