Science Education Center
of California

Dan Krawitz Curator and resident educator

Philosophy and Mission Statement

The science Education Center of California is an integrated natural history and educational facility dedicated to the study, preservation and dissemination of natural history specimens worldwide. Our educational focus is concentrated on the physical and life sciences and includes science presentations to regional schools, educational trips and in house curriculum.

To support this mission, the Science Education Center of California has acquired a repository of fossils, minerals and gems and provides access to these natural history specimens through our science museum on wheels. From petrified trees and giant ammonites in the fossil world to large gold specimens and meteorites in the mineral world, the museum items are available for students to see and touch. In addition to a traveling museum collection, the Science Education Center has developed and tested a wide range of physical and life science activities and curriculum that targets the K-8 level.

The occasional sale or trade of natural history specimens provides the working capital to acquire new museum items for classroom use. The minerals, fossils and gems section as well as the antiques and antiquities section contain some of these museum items that are currently available for sale. To provide the community with access to the beauty of the natural world at a modest price, we have included a section titled stone carvings and jewelry. This portion of the web site contains quality items carved from stone, with most items priced under $50.

The field trips and vacations are designed to complement our educational and natural history mission statements. Our fully equipped laboratory on wheels (with front and rear air conditioning) is designed to accommodate up to 15 passengers and has ample space to house natural history specimens both collected and purchased. As in our classroom presentations, we stress the educational component of our adventures in a small group setting. The small group sizes provide students and adults with an excellent one-on-one educational experience in both the physical and life sciences. Parents can choose the level of academic rigor in assignments for their child so that their individual needs are targeted. Adults can pass on the assignments and just enjoy the geological wonders during the 7-state tour.