"Science is empowering. Students of all ages can use it to figure things out in their own world. At the same time, it's fun ... if taught the right way.

"Science in the Parks started because we needed to develop an outreach program a part of a NASA grant. At first, we considered day camps at Weber, but then we thought about the hundreds of inner-city kids who play at local parks during the summer. We knew we should target them.

"On the first day of the program, we introduce ourselves and show kids where we'll be. By the fourth day, they're sitting on the grass in front of our tent waiting for us to set up. For me, that embodies what it's all about: getting kids excited about learning."