The focus of Da Vinci Science is to provide a springboard for students to prepare for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related fields.

Da Vinci Science is a recipient of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) 2011 Excellence in Engineering Education Collaboration Award.  In October 2010, Da Vinci Science was cited by the U.S. Department of State as a "best practice" example demonstrating how industry, government, academia and the K-12 community can effectively collaborate to engage students in STEM education. To learn more about our accomplishments, please visit our Results + Recognition web page.

Da Vinci Science students take a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum that is integrated with real-world active learning. Through hands-on, interdisciplinary projects, students are challenged to think like scientists, engineers, architects, designers, and programmers and to solve real-world problems though a process of inquiry, teamwork and design.

Examples of recent projects include building Medieval-style Trebuchets to solve quadratic equations, exploring projectile path and Newton's Three Laws of Motion by creating flash animation movies, and building roller coasters to calculate speed, velocity, acceleration, kinetic and potential energy.

Da Vinci Science has formed extensive partnerships with local companies and universities, including Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Chevron, Raytheon, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Pomona, CSULA, LMU, UCLA, USC and El Camino College. These STEM professionals provide mentoring, internships, project support, and software training, as well as help us identify the real-world knowledge and skill sets that students need to know that do not appear in the California content standards.

Da Vinci Science has implemented Project Lead The Way curricula where students take college classes for transcript credit such as Introduction to Engineering and Engineering Design. Students have additional opportunities to be exposed to STEM education through seminar classes such as Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Rocketry, Flight School, Tech Team, Engineering Industry Competitions, and more.

Student progress is measured and assessed through traditional tests and quizzes, public presentations of learning, exhibitions, and digital portfolios.