Women’s History Month: Blossom Lorraine Van Lowe
The 2025 theme for Women’s History Month is Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations. We are celebrating this month with a highlight of Blossom Lorraine Van Lowe who was the first African American teacher hired in the San Diego Unified School District.
As an organization founded by teachers, it is our joy to celebrate the accomplishments of Mrs. Van Lowe.
Born in California, she attended Memorial Junior High as a child. She earned her BA degree from San Diego State University and her Masters at Columbia University. She was hired in 1942 to teach at Memorial Junior High in Logan Heights and taught until she retired in 1971. Despite being more than a decade before the 1954 Supreme Court ruling that schools must desegregate, the school was not segregated. She taught Social Science and English to all students.
Advocates for Mrs. Van Lowe wrote a letter to the newspaper about their appreciation for her and the reality of what it was like working as the only Black teacher. She was described as “an intelligent, quiet, and well poised young woman who has shown unusual tact and discrimination in what might have been a difficult situation for a less talented person. There were 40 white teachers in the school.” Excerpt from Opportunity Journal of Negro Life, available in Google Books.
After retirement, Mrs. Van Lowe moved to Colorado with her husband where she continued tutoring children in the Denver Public School System. She passed away at the age of 102 in 2015.
Other sources:
Voice of San Diego
Blossom Lorraine Obituary
Strengthening Relationships With Students at EIS
Recently, EIS education staff attended the Monarch School Project Nexus training at the San Diego Foundation. Participants from EIS work directly with elementary through high school youth daily, allowing them a close look at the current issues facing each student
This 3-day conference focused on an integrated, evidence-based approach to serving students and families, especially those experiencing housing insecurity. The approach is relationship-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and restorative. EIS staff learned about topical modules regarding trauma-informed care, restorative practices, strengths-based approach, developmental relationships, and more. Below are some of their takeaways from the training.
“Using nonviolent communication, restorative practices, and a trauma-informed approach can make a difference in the ways we welcome children, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment. We need to take care of the emotional before attempting to teach anything.” – Sandra Lebrón, Education Director
“All that we learned immediately strengthened my approach with students. This project-based training led us to hosting a Steps-2-STEM Family Day for the families of 5th graders at Horton Elementary. I loved seeing caregivers doing science with the students, and I look forward to hosting another Family Day for the families of the 4th graders at Horton! – Amirah Smith, Education Program Manager
“I gained a greater understanding on how to better serve unhoused families, as well as how to better communicate with others and be present in any kind of setting. I also learned a variety of strategies for our work, such as how to engage caregivers and students in education and community, and to celebrate our little achievements. I cannot wait to see what else we will accomplish with the tools we learned with the Monarch School Project. – Celine Holguín, Lead STEM Educator
EIS understands that children need support and to feel safe with instructors so they can engage with learning. EIS instructors are committed to serving each student with a quality learning experience.
OUT OF THIS WORLD – SPRING CAMP 2025
March 31 – April 4, 2025
Explore other worlds this spring break!
Learn all about outer space and the science of our solar system. Your future scientists, engineers, and artists will enjoy science experiments, games, arts and crafts, and more!
Eligibility: Grades 2 – 8 (Ages 7 – 13)
Duration: 5 days
Hours: 9:00am-4:00pm
Price: $300* per student
*Sibling and military discounts are available.
Register for Girls Take Flight Drone Camp
This week-long camp during spring break (March 31-April 4) includes learning flight maneuvers, drone regulations, and writing code that will control a drone to fly autonomously. Camp also includes guest speakers to inform students about how drones are being used in real-world applications.
Qualifications:
- Must be a high school student enrolled in the 10th or 11th grade for the 2024-2025 school year.
- Express an interest in STEM, aviation, and/or drones and their uses
- Has a professional demeanor and work ethic
- Time commitment: attend the Drone Camp (March 31-April 4)
- Must be attending a Title I school
- Must be female or female identifying+
Apply by March 19, 2025
Click HERE TO APPLY for Drone Camp
Reserve Your Space for Summer Camp
Summer camp registration is now open for students in grades 2-8 (ages 7-13).
Embark on a 4-week long journey & explore sky high science, ocean exploration, Basic video game development, and renewable ways to SAVE OUR PLANET.
🚀 Exciting SciTech Tuesday Announcement! 🚀
Get ready, high school students! This April, SciTech Tuesday is bringing you an inspiring STEM Chat led by the incredible team at Athena STEM Women! 🎉
Athena STEM Women is dedicated to empowering the next generation of women in STEM, and they’ll be sharing insights, advice, and motivation to help YOU shape your future in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Which Tuesday will it be? Stay tuned—we’ll reveal the date soon so you can mark your calendars and prepare for an engaging discussion that could change the course of your STEM journey! 🔬💡✨
Saturday April 26th: NASA STEM Fest at EIS
Explore space careers with hands-on activities at the EIS Space Careers – STEM Festival with NASA. Local elementary and middle school students (and their families) can dive into 15 awesome activities, all inspired by careers at NASA.
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