Happy Native American Heritage Month 2025!
EIS is honored to support students from all cultures, including those from our Native American community.
Did you know that in 1976 President Carter designated a week in October as “American Indian Week” and in 1986 President Reagan signed a proclamation to extend the observation period to a full month, designating November as “American Indian Heritage Month.”
Plant Trees at EIS with a Special SciTech Tuesday Event
Join us for a special SciTech Tuesday on November 25, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Thanksgiving week), as EIS partners with Tree San Diego and the City of San Diego Parks & Recreation Department for a hands-on Tree Planting Day! This unique event brings together high school and elementary students for a powerful afternoon of environmental action, leadership, and STEM engagement.
The program begins at 2:00 PM with light refreshments, followed by a collaborative tree planting activity at 2:30 PM. After a short break, we’ll conclude with a keynote presentation from a Parks & Rec representative, highlighting the importance of community-driven climate action. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow something meaningful — for our youth, our neighborhoods, and our planet.
Pfizer and The Giving Circle Foundation
The October 28 launch of our 2025–26 SciTech Tuesday series at EIS was a powerful start, engaging over 40 high school students from across San Diego, including strong participation from the Lincoln High School Biomed Club.
With support from Pfizer, the event featured inspiring STEM career stories, a student-led Biomed Club presentation, and the announcement of possible mentors for the club. It also marked the kickoff of our Teen STEAM Café and this year’s theme, “Step Outside,” focused on environmental action.
Students connected with guest scientist Darian Bartkowski, shared ideas over a pizza (thanks to the Giving Circle Foundation), and gained real-world mentorship, leadership practice, and a clear path for continued STEM engagement.
Family Day with Steps-2-STEM
We greatly enjoyed meeting so many parents – and seeing a few returning faces in our week of family days for our Steps-2-STEM program. Dozens of parents from Horton, Chollas Mead, Cesar Chavez, and Balboa Elementary schools got an inside peak into what their children learn at EIS. We are so grateful for everyone who participated and look forward to meeting more parents throughout the year.
Why John Supports EIS
“Supporting EIS is a tangible investment in the curiosity and potential of San Diego’s young people. When we give kids opportunities to explore science, we don’t just fuel their imagination – we help shape the innovators and problem-solvers of tomorrow. Science has always been a passion of mine, and I’m proud to support EIS in their successful efforts to cultivate that passion in future generations.”- John Bolthouse, EIS Donor
Why do you support EIS? Let us know. Send an email to info@eisca.org.
Don’t Miss the Biggest Global Giving Day
Tuesday December 2nd is Giving Tuesday 2025 – a day of global action to support our communities. You can support EIS with a donation of any amount or become a volunteer. We have year round volunteer opportunities listed on our website.
Recommendations of EIS help us find volunteers and raise money. One easy way you can help us increase visibility for our work is posting a review of your EIS experience on GreatNonprofits – a review site like Yelp, but for nonprofits. Whether you are a student, alumni, parent, volunteer, or donor – your review will help.
It’s easy and only takes three minutes. Visit Greatnonprofits.org/org/elementary-institute-of-science to get started!
Are You Ready for Thanksgiving Tech Camp?
Join us for a hands-on, tech-filled adventure where boys and girls ages 7-14 will explore the exciting world of technology through interactive workshops and creative projects! Students will dive into a variety of activities that foster problem-solving, teamwork, and digital skills in a fun and safe environment.
Workshop Activities & Projects: Small Robotics, 3D design & Printing, and Drone Coding & Flying
Take-Home Projects: Textile exploration, Sticker Making, and Sewing.
This camp encourages creativity, critical thinking, and introduces kids to the tools they’ll use in tomorrow’s digital world—all while having a blast! Register on our website: eisca.org/camps
Congratulations to the 2025 Girls Take Flight Graduates
We are so proud of these 17 high school girls who completed the rigorous, months long drone technology practicum and earned their Federal Aviation Administration remote pilot certification.
A big shout out to our funders who make this program possible! Thank you so much to our 2025 funders Macy’s, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, BAE Systems, San Diego Gas & Electric, The Kinship Fund, PNC Foundation, Alaska Airlines, U.S. Bank, The Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund, David. C Copley Foundation, Farrell Family Fund, and Guenther Foundation.
Thank you instructors Desiree Ekstein, Luxary Quintua Crisostomo, Camryn Calacsan, and Shyanne Smith for your heartfelt leadership this year.
Thank you guest speakers and guest mentors from Our Genetic Legacy, San Diego Gas & Electric, RoseAnn Denton of SHE-drones, and every volunteer, parent, grandparent, and EIS staff member who helped make this happen.
Buy Groceries and Support EIS!
Do you shop at Ralph’s, Food 4 Less, or Kroger? You can support EIS when you shop at Kroger Family Stores. All you need to do is link your rewards card to EIS. Once your card is linked, EIS will receive a donation whenever you shop! Visit kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards for more information.
Have you participated in programs or volunteered at the Elementary Institute of Science?
Whether you’re still in high school, college, working or retired, we want to know what you’ve been up to and if you have thoughts about any impact EIS had on your life or career. Please send an email to our Development Assistant, Leah Oviedo at loviedo@eisca.org.
EIS alumni are invited to join our official group to reconnect and stay updated on future reunions. Facebook.com/groups/AlumniConnectEIS