Chabot Space Lands Federal Grant

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2012 | Updated 6:44 AM PDT

Deborah Ferguson

Oakland science students received a big financial boost, one aimed at helping students make the transition from middle school to high school.

The Chabot Space & Science Center was awarded $150,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services 2012 Museums for America Program to support and expand the Galaxy Explorers and Champions of Science teen education programs, the center announced last week.

The program, which is in its 15th year, works with over 200 students from sixth to 12th grades in out-of-school, year-round programs.

The grant funds will be used for supplies, materials, and the teaching staff of Champions of Science, which specifically targets underserved Oakland middle school students from 6th to 8th grades and their transition to the high school Galaxy Explorers program.

"We want those kids who aren't normally self selecting to get excited about Champions of Science," Chabot spokeswoman Melissa Rosengard said. "It really propels them into going to college and into science."

The Champions of Science, which is in its second year, is free to students, Rosengard said.

"We wanted to make sure kids who are underserved have access to science," she said.

A number of program alumni have gone on to work for science and technology companies such as Google, Lockheed Martin, and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Chabot is one of 152 organizations, including seven in the Bay Area, to receive Museums for America funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.