HomeMy WebLinkAboutDiscovery Cube MemoMEMORANDUM
_______________________________________________________________________________
TO:
FROM:
CC:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Daniel Fox, City Manager
Tara Reyes, Management Analyst
Cathy Nguyen, Management Analyst
Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager
Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City Manager
Discovery Cube- Environmental Education Services
Agreement for the 2024-2025 through 2026-2027 School Years
July 8, 2024
The Environmental Services team is enthusiastic about expanding the long-term
collaboration between the City and Discovery Cube through Fiscal Year 2024 -25.
The following memorandum outlines the background, current program, and
recommended expansion that will provide an education-based path to improve
Organics and Recycling within Diamond Bar in an effort to meet State mandated
requirements under SB 1383. With City Manager approval, it is requested that you
sign the attached agreement to ensure the program will continue through June
30, 2027.
Background: Discovery Cube is a nonprofit based in Santa Ana dedicated to
inspiring and educating young minds through science -based programs. The City’s
partnership with Discovery Cube Orange County is a three-part program that
includes 1) In-School Assembly, 2) Take-Home Activity, and 3) a Field Trip to
Discovery Cube in Santa Ana. The Santa Ana facility uniquely offers several
educational exhibits, including the “Organics Waste Lab,” “Race to Recycle,”
and “Discovery Market.” These exhibits teach students about key waste
management practices, such as composting, proper recycling, and reducing
waste through sustainable shopping habits. While the field trips are an exciting
and educational experience where students can see these concepts in action,
the assembly and take-home activity components alone provide a robust and
thorough curriculum. The program curriculum supports the City’s compliance with
Discovery Cube – Environmental Education Services
July 8, 2024
Page 2
SB1383, the state-mandated Organics program that has been implemented
throughout Diamond Bar.
Participation: Participation in the program has fluctuated, peaking in the
2019/2020 school year before declining due to COVID-19 as summarized in Exhibit
A Program Statistics. This past school year, participation began to recover, with
nearly 80% of the target met despite staffing changes in both the City of Diamond
Bar and Discovery Cube. To help meet future targets, the program will be
expanded to include 3rd and 4th graders and will now offer the program to both
public and private schools in Diamond Bar. Additionally, the City of Diamond Bar
plans to work closely with Discovery Cube and the two school districts to
implement effective outreach strategies.
There have been a few changes in the new contract including:
1. Expanded Grade Range: Programming will now be offered to 3rd through
6th graders.
2. Special Events: The contract now includes special events for City Earth Day
and America Recycles Day, locking in pricing for the next 3 to 4 years plus
the option to add an event.
3. Summer Camp Programming: Activities for Kindergarten through 6th-grade
students will be included in City youth summer camps.
4. Private School Outreach: The program will extend to private schools in
Diamond Bar, which were previously excluded.
Outreach Strategies:
1. Early Outreach: Initial outreach to schools and districts early in the school
year to assist with planning.
2. Coordination with Discovery Cube: Work with the Discovery Cube Outreach
team to coordinate attendance at school and district board meetings
should it be requested to streamline the approval process and assist with
any logistical constraints.
3. Relationship Building: Develop critical relationships with 3rd through 6th-
grade student liaisons. This will assist the team in educating new school staff
should there be turnover.
Financial Impact: The Discovery Cube program will cost $39,600 for FY2024 -25.
The City’s two franchise haulers contribute $16,000, with the remaining $23,600
program cost provided by the City’s AB939 fund.
Discovery Cube – Environmental Education Services
July 8, 2024
Page 3
EXHIBIT A
DISCOVERY CUBE PROGRAM STATISTICS
19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24
Assembly 596 253 59 105 409
Field Trip 511 0 59 105 166
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Participation by Program
School Years 2020 -2024
Assembly Field Trip
19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24
Pomona 447 30 118 210 403
Walnut 660 223 0 0 172
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Participation by District
School Years 2020-2024
Pomona Walnut
Discovery Cube – Environmental Education Services
July 8, 2024
Page 4
2023-2024 Enrollment for Targeted Schools:
School (District) K 1 2 3 4 5 6 Total
Castle Rock (W) 92 90 112 115 121 116 X 646
Evergreen (W) 117 102 127 105 133 135 x 719
Walnut (W) 92 112 108 103 123 133 X 671
Maple Hill (W) 90 76 77 89 95 95 X 522
Quail Summit (W) 94 103 102 109 141 116 X 665
Pantera (P) 71 65 69 81 75 63 42 466
Armstrong (P) 61 27 38 28 29 33 41 257
Golden Springs (P) 46 49 67 69 59 63 60 413
South Pointe (W) X X X X X X 279 279
Chaparral (W) X X X X X X 384 384
Total 663 624 700 699 776 754 806 5022