About Us
Sciences Education Foundation Background Information
1988
After working together on Education Outreach at the Salk Institute from 1988 into the early 1990's, Anne Blue asked Patricia Winter if she would come to General Atomics to establish an Education Outreach Program.
1992
Starting in 1992, they worked together to help General Atomics host a series of High School Science Days, involving tours of GA facilities by high school students and their teachers.
1993
In 1993, GA scientists began working with Science Coordinators for the San Diego Schools in order to bring the business and research side of science into the classroom. Details here
1995
In order to expand the program, Neal Blue and Anne Blue co-founded the General Atomics Sciences Education Foundation [a 501(c)(3) non-profit] in 1995. The purpose of the Foundation is to enhance education in science and engineering in the San Diego area as well as worldwide with a primary focus on K-12 STEM education. The Foundation has also participated in professional society judging at the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair since 1995. Details here
1999
Since 1999, the General Atomics Sciences Education Foundation expanded its role to provide support for K-12 STEM education projects and programs and has given over $1,405,000 to over 90 STEM education non-profits, mostly in the San Diego area. Details here
2010
In 2010, the Foundation launched the GASSSS (GA Scientists/Engineers Supporting Science/Engineering for Students) Program to provide funding for the purchase of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) materials for use with K-12 students and to support the active involvement of GA employees in a K-12 STEM outreach activity. As of December 2025, 1,470 employees have participated in the program and over $300,000 in funding has been provided.
2017
In 2017, the Foundation initiated a partnership with Chapter One (formerly TutorMate) to promote literacy and help at-risk students learn to read on target by the end of first grade. The program includes science stories that promote both STEM and fundamental reading skills. Over 170 employees have participated in this program.
Links to all the different Foundation resources including education modules, presentations, and publications can be obtained via the Foundation home page: www.sci-ed-ga.org.
For additional information, please contact Dr. Lawrence Woolf at Lawrence.Woolf@ga-asi.com.