Precollege Programs

School Year Programs: Community Outreach

Discovery Days
Discovery Days is an outreach program involving many of the Science Departments at OSU as well as departments from Agriculture and Engineering. This two-day event, held in both the Fall and Spring terms, features displays and hands-on activities from different departments that are suitable for all ages.
Contact: Margie Haak 541-737-6716 email

OSU Extension
Extension Service provides education and information based on timely research to help Oregonians solve problems and develop skills related to youth, family, community, farm, forest, energy, and marine resources. We carry out our mission by extending the research knowledge base of the University to people who need the information, and providing leadership in applying this knowledge to the problems people have identified. OSU Extension is the "front door to OSU" and the premier provider of non-formal education that meets the needs of Oregonians and contributes significantly to strong individuals, families and communities; a vibrant economy; and sustainable natural resources.

Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) Center Community Outreach and Education Program (COEP)
COEP’s community outreach mission is to translate the research findings of the EHS Center into outreach programs that are useful and relevant to the public. Additionally, COEP’s education mission is to promote health and science literacy by improving understanding of environmental health science and the role of environmental factors in the cause and prevention of disease. Program activities include student and teacher workshops, public awareness seminars and workshops and other community programs that highlight the importance of environmental health research for the general public and the K-12 audience. COEP also facilitates interactions between university scientists and the general public, students and teachers. This includes helping to coordinate scientist visits in classrooms as well as bringing students/teachers on campus for lab tours.
Contact: Naomi Hirsch, 541-737-8105, email
Sandra Uesugi, 541-737-4374, email

Pet Day
Outreach and information about veterinary science, careers in veterinary science and animal care.
Debrah Rarick email

GIS Day
GIS Day is a global event with the goal of educating millions of children and adults about how geography makes a difference in our lives through GIS. On this special day, more than 2,000 schools and organizations host GIS Day events in 90 countries all over the world. A GIS, or geographic information system, is the computer software, data, and solutions that are used by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide in education, research, government, education, and business. OSU's GIS Day activities are sponsored by the Department of Geosciences, the Department of Forest Science (in conjunction with the USDA Forest Service and the USGS), and the OSU Valley Library.

Hatfield Marine Science Center Education Programs
Grades: K-12
Hatfield offers programs for Preschool through High school, from summer day camps to hands on labs and field activities during the school year.
Contact: Kathryn Hawes, 541-867-0233 email

Oregon Coast Quests
Quests are fun, free-choice learning adventures that use clues and hints to encourage participants to discover the natural, cultural and historical "treasures" of place and community. Suitable for groups of all ages, self-guided Quests allow lifelong learners to explore parks, trails and other outdoor spaces in new ways and at their own pace.

Family Science and Engineering Nights
Grades: K-5
OSU students and faculty bring hands-on science and engineering activities to local elementary schools for students and their families.
Contact: Margie Haak 541-737-6716 email