Sustain YSI Campaign 2009-10
Dear Friend of YSI,
40% of Santa Clara County children are failing science!
And that’s an improvement! In 2006, more than half of the students in our county fell below proficient in California’s standardized science tests.
Why are our children failing science?
Research tells us that teachers simply don’t have the time, training or equipment to teach science effectively in our schools, despite their deep commitment to our children.
With time and money so scarce in every school, the opportunity to provide hands-on science in their own classroom is practically impossible for most teachers, and training is scarce as well. In a recent survey,
41% of Bay Area teachers said they felt unprepared to teach science!
That’s why Youth Science Institute is so critical.
YSI engages 30,000 Santa Clara County children in science each year using hands-on, nature-based lessons that correlate directly to State standards.
YSI’s program lessons are effective. Teachers rank YSI programs an average of 4.9 out of 5 in all evaluation categories, and they tell us our programs significantly help to solidify required student learning and test preparation. In fact,
Many teachers have stated that they simply don’t know how they would teach science without YSI!
Families and the broader community, too, know the importance of YSI programs. When YSI’s viability was threatened by the economic downturn, the community pulled together to raise the funds to keep YSI’s doors open.
We are so grateful for that support! It enabled us to continue delivering the hands-on programs teachers and their students rely on for their science learning.
We’ve launched a financial plan designed to sustain YSI for years to come, built on efficient operations and ongoing revenue generation. Program delivery provides only 50% of our revenue, and the other half comes from the generous investment of donors like you!
Last year, you saved us. Now, we need your continued support to sustain us.
Your donation will help YSI meet its $300,000 fundraising goal for this fiscal year, providing engaging, hands-on science lessons to thousands of Santa Clara County children. The years have shown that these lessons directly impact learning and shape futures.
I hope we can count on your sustaining and generous support.
Sincerely, Susanne Mulcahy Executive Director
P.S. Last school year, more than 100,000 students failed science in Silicon Valley. Please give generously now to help us sustain our critically needed hands-on science programs for our children!
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