IUPUI's Discovering the Science of the Environment (DSE) is an inquiry-based, interactive science education program for central Indiana 5th through 12th grade students and education professionals.
Discovering the Science of the Environment: earth and environmental science programs for schools
Educator survey
Science teachers: learn more about DSE and complete our survey to help us improve our education and outreach programs.
Based in water resource and ecological restoration research, this program provides specially designed curriculum and state-of-the-art technology resources to help educators utilize school ground natural areas and nature centers to instruct students in an experiential environment.
Year-round educational program delivery with a mobile science lab, after school science clubs, as well as educator professional development, provide unique opportunities to raise the level of environmental awareness and science aptitude for Indiana youth.
Discovering the Science of the Environment is offered by the Center for Earth and Environmental Science (CEES) at IUPUI. The program seeks to:
- fundamentally change the way students and the public view the environment and their role in improving environmental quality;
- develop scientifically and technologically skilled students and teachers who are engaged in scientific inquiry and;
- interest students in career pathways in science, math, engineering, and technology.
Opportunities offered through the DSE program
Mobile STEM lab programs
This program is on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Equipped with interactive technology tools, web interface, and GIS mapping capabilities, the DSE mobile lab travels to your school or site to provide FREE educational programming at school ground natural areas. The mobile lab also visits parks and schools during the summer. Please contact: cees@iupui.edu.
Intersession and summer camps with our community partners
Canceled due to COVID-19.
Support for DSE
Discovering the Science of the Environment has benefitted from wide ranging support from private and public partners. Veolia Water Indianapolis made the lead philanthropic gift to create the program in 2007. Additonal major donors for creating and sustaining the program have included the Duke Energy Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Citizens Water, NASA, Indianapolis Power & Light, Dr. Laura Hare Charitable Trust, Dow AgroSciences, UPS, and DJ Angus-Scientech Education Foundation, Inc.
A significant grant from the Duke Energy Foundation in 2016 allowed us to build a new mobile technology vehicle; the new mobile unit is enabling CEES to expand the DSE curricula to include energy programs as well as environmental programs. Support from DowAgroSciences in 2013 allowed us to expand our mobile technology trailer programming, provide enhanced STEM support in IPS schools, and offer informal education experiences, including after-school and summer programming. A major gift from Citizens Energy in 2012 provided broad support of CEES programming, including support for the mobile trailer and special event programming. A grant from NASA in 2013/14 supported upgrades to the mobile technology equipment.