Seeds of Change

Seeds of Change strengthens STEM education by providing bioscience based rainforest research immersion programs for high school students.

Seeds of Change (SOC) enhances bioscience education by providing a tropical rainforest research experience for high school students.

Our program puts students in the driver seat of discovery and innovation.  Students team up with peers to design and complete a research experiment under the guidance and direction of PhDs and graduate students during a 10-day trip to remote rainforests of northwestern Costa Rica.     

This is a unique opportunity for students to develop critical skills such as collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and communication in a setting that is relevant and helps prepare them for the rigor of university science education. 

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are the foundation of innovation and job creation in the U.S. and yet, far too few students who enter college complete degrees in these fields.  The result is a U.S. workforce that falls short of what we need for economic growth and stability.  SOC provides students hands-on learning experiences that challenge, motivate, and help prepare them for success in academics and high tech careers.

Just over 150 students and their dedicated high school science teachers have participated in the SOC summer research program since 2010.  SOC participants and their parents tell us their experience with our program significantly impacted their student’s decision to pursue a career in science.

Please support our efforts to get more students excited about science.