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DiscoverU

With DiscoverU, the San Diego Public Library encourages youth (grades 3-12) and emerging adults (ages 18-25) to explore their interests and achieve their highest potential. Workshops cover STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) concepts, college readiness, career preparation and life skills.

Working with partners and other community organizations, DiscoverU offers a mix of in-person and virtual programming, including college information sessions, engineering activities, camps for entrepreneurs-in-training, SAT and ACT test preparation and more.

 

 

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Explore DiscoverU

High over-the-shoulder angle of a student with long dark hair and glasses just out of frame on the right side of the photo working on a robotics project made of wood and circuits. The student is holding some of the project in their hands, while more pieces are on a gray table with tools and bags containing smaller components. In the lower left corner is small black, gold, and teal text stating “DiscoverU” and “Explore. Prepare. Achieve.” on a white background.

DiscoverU STEAM workshops

Diverse group of male and female teenage students seated in a classroom and focused on taking a test. In the background is a blackboard with science and math figures. In the lower left corner is small black, gold, and teal text stating “DiscoverU” and “Explore. Prepare. Achieve.” on a white background.

Admit One: College Test Prep

A group of diverse teenage male and female students wearing backpacks and their teacher smiling for the camera. They are outside a building. In the lower left corner is small black, gold, and teal text stating “DiscoverU” and “Explore. Prepare. Achieve.” on a white background.

College 101 & Life Skills     

Asian appearing female adult with long black hair collaborating with a male appearing and a female appearing adult looking on in the background, while writing on a whiteboard. In the lower left corner is small black, gold, and teal text stating “DiscoverU” and “Explore. Prepare. Achieve.” on a white background.

Career Prep

A small smiling plush version of Niki de Saint Phalle’s Sun God sculpture—a colorful bird-like statue—at UC San Diego. It is wearing a blue and white letterman jacket with a round pin with the text “PiB” in a white three-dimensional box on a teal background. The left arm of the plush is over the right wing of a colorful robotic wood version of the Sun God. They are in a grassy area with buildings in the background. In the lower left corner is small black, gold, and teal text stating “DiscoverU” and “Explore

Project in a Box Workshops

Three people conducting a science experiement

Spring into STEAM

 

Featured Events

Person filling out paper application with laptop open to a generic college website stating, “Send your application now!”

UC Application Workshop
Thursday, October 24 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Central Library - Teen Center
Level: High School (Grades 9 - 12) & Parents

Come join us and UC Representative Alberto Davalos for insights and ideas on how to answer your personal insight questions on the UC Application. This is an in-person workshop. Registration is highly encouraged but not required. Only 1 registration is needed per household.

Register Here

 
Dark haired student with ponytail working on a computer programming project on their laptop.

Intro to Python Programming Language
Tuesday, November 5 & November 26
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Mountain View/Beckwourth Library
Level: Middle School (Grades 6 - 8)

Take your first step in learning one of the most popular and widely used computer programming languages in the world! In this 2-day workshop, participants will gain an understanding of computer programming fundamentals and practice what they have learned using the Python programming language. No prior experience required. All software and equipment will be provided. This is a two-day workshop series. This is an in-person workshop.

Register Here

 
Girl in classroom holding up and studying arachnid encased in plastic, while two boys look at other insects sitting on top of an open book in the background.

Microscopes with Garden Bugs
Saturday, December 14 | 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Oak Park Library
Level: Elementary School (Grades 3 - 5) & Middle School (Grades 6 - 8)

Meet and learn about the fascinating insects commonly found in gardens! From the squirmy worms that help our soil to the quirky potato bugs that can be both a gardener's friend and foe, we’ll dive into the world of garden critters. Come ready to explore, ask questions, and maybe even discover a new appreciation for the little guys that play such a big role in our gardens. It's going to be a bug-tastic time! This is an in-person workshop.

Register Here

Upcoming Events

Nov 22
4pm - 5pm

Seed Starting

Elementary School Age

Nov 26
4pm - 5pm

Intro to Python Programming Language

Middle School Age

Dec 6
4pm - 5pm

Flower Dissection with Microscopes

Elementary School Age

Dec 7
2pm - 5pm

Project In A Box: Solar Panel

Middle School Age, Teens

Dec 11
3pm - 4pm

Microscopes with Garden Bugs

All Ages

 

Reading Recommendations

 

Online Resources

General

STEAM

College 101

Career Prep

Life Management

 

Partners

Green outline of cartoon spacecraft moving through outer space on a white square background. Small text under image states “LAUNCHPAD CENTER FOR ACCELERATING SUCCESS.”
Two small squares of teal above a gold square with “SD” in white text. To the left of the squares in two lines are large gray text stating “LIBRARY FOUNDATION.”
Black outline of a white three-dimensional box on a square teal background. The front of the box includes the text “PiB” in large black letters.

DiscoverU

Laura Yee
Program Development Coordinator
Phone: 619-236-5807

Email: DiscoverU@sandiego.gov