Meet Sarah Tuakli Cooper, Executive Director of EIS
It is with great pleasure that we introduce our new Executive Director, Sarah Tuakli Cooper. Ms. Tuakli Cooper joins EIS with 20 years of executive leadership and teaching experience. In her previous role at the League of Amazing Programmers, teaching the future tech workforce, she worked to develop meaningful pathways for underrepresented students in our community. Among her many accomplishments, was increasing digital access through a multi-agency, multi-generational Digital Equity Program in the Promise Zone of San Diego.
Ms. Tuakli Cooper said, “I am very excited to take the reins at EIS and join a wonderful community in undertaking such personally meaningful work. This year will be the 60th Anniversary of EIS, so we will be celebrating the Institute’s inspiring legacy while laying the groundwork for even more impact over the next 60 years!”
Her involvement in the community includes volunteering as the Chair of the Board of Directors at the United Women of East Africa – Support Team and a Volunteer Mentor at San Diego Squared.
EIS Board President Debra S. Roy said, “I am thrilled and excited for the opportunity to work with Sarah and experience through her leadership. I anticipate a bold and exhilarating future for EIS and our community as we take this adventurous journey together.”
Upcoming Community Events
Join EIS and Our Genetic Legacy for a Black history month kick off event on January 27, 2024 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm. Learn how local high school girls are using drones for good! Limited seating for 100 guests – secure your spot today! FREE to attend. Register at Eventbrite.
The San Diego Institute of Science and Technology (me) will participate in the CASH for COLLEGE event at the Malcolm X Library on Saturday, January 20, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. This is a FREE event sponsored by CALSOAP that aims to help HS seniors fill out the FAFSA or DREAM ACT forms. Register at CalSoapSanDiego.org.
Join us for our spring Open House from 12:00 – 4:00 pm. This family friendly day will be filled with STEM inspiration! Meet our staff and instructors. Tour our facility, engage in hands-on activities, and enjoy complimentary refreshments. It’s FREE to attend. Register at https://tinyurl.com/eisopenhouse24
Mark your calendars! March 5th Girls Take Flight is kicking off the 2024 season. Come learn about our drone program for 10th and 11th grade girls. Register for Drone Camp here: https://sdscitech.org/programs/girls-take-flight/ More information about the Kick Off event coming soon, stay tuned!
As we celebrate our 60th anniversary this year, we will be hosting celebratory events throughout the year. Keep an eye out for those events. We hope to see with you soon!
Elsa and George Feher (of blessed memory)
As we move through 2024 and into our 60th year of serving the community, we are delighted to share highlights of the many people who have been vital to the success of the Elementary Institute of Science (EIS). Whether they were financial supporters, teachers, or friends – together they laid the foundation of our learning center in southeastern San Diego.
Elsa and George Feher (of blessed memory) were long time supporters of EIS. Both were physicists and philanthropists whose love of equity in science was an important part of EIS’ success.
George Feher was born in Czechoslavakia and escaped Nazi Germany at the age of 16. He was a professor at UC San Diego where he founded the biophysics program. George passed away in 2017.
Elsa Feher was born in Argentina and had a varied career as a scientist, professor at San Diego State University, and director of the Fleet Science Center. Elsa passed away in 2022.
It doesn’t seem too long ago that staff remembers seeing Elsa every afternoon when she would pick up her grandchild from summer camp. EIS is grateful for the generous financial support from the Feher’s, which has been received through the Jewish Community Foundation.
Keep an eye out in our monthly newsletters and on our social media for more highlights of the amazing teaches, staff, and alumni of EIS.
Join the Mathemagicians Homework Club at EIS on Saturdays (excluding holidays) from 12:00-1:00 pm at EIS!
If you would like to participate, email info@mathemagiciansclub.com. Include your email, your child’s grade, and math concepts they are working on (or share an attachment of their homework). Mentors will offer help, more practice problems or worksheets. This includes SAT math help as well. They will monitor this email daily so you don’t have to wait until Saturday to ask for help.
Mathemagicians is a volunteer led program at EIS to support local youth.
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