Scientific literacy is now recognized to be crucial for our nation's progress in the 21st century. The Carnegie Institution for Science, a pre-eminent basic research organization, has fostered the development of scientific knowledge since the early 20th century. For many years, this meant the training of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the Institution's laboratories, located in Washi
ngton, DC, and around the country. In 1989, Maxine Singer, then president of Carnegie, founded First Light, a Saturday science school for children. This was the start of the Carnegie Academy for Science Education (CASE) whose goal is to encourage interest in science among school children and teachers in Washington, DC. First Light remains a lively program for children. Since 1994, CASE has offered professional development for DC teachers of science, mathematics and technology. Emphasis in all programs is on inquiry-based, hands-on approaches to learn and teach the processes and content of school science. While CASE's programs have grown up with our students to serve teachers and students in middle school and high school, we continue to provide professional development for teachers of all grade levels, preK-12. Our long-term investment in improving opportunities for DC children has shown a wonderful return, as our now college graduates are coming back to volunteer in our student programs.
