Science+On+Wheels+History

SOW Timeline

1972(?) Harlan Falkin lead of SOW - First SOW vehicle was a station wagon (Jerry Dotson's) and a trailer - I don't know where they went or what they taught.

PSC receives a grant from one of the departments (Atomic Energy Commision? Energy?)

(?)Took out hands on exhibits used for Science Circus, which stayed onsite most of the time.

1973: grant written for Magnetism

1974: grant funding to develop Project Archaeology; Saving Traditions

1973 - van donated by Pacific Northwest Bell. (We painted over the bell.) Staff were crammed into the back of the van, without seatbelts.

Just took day trips around Puget Sound

1976: Teachers were given 15 minute breaks between classes and ½ hour for lunch - that never changed!

1979-80: Introduction of the planetarium and boa constrictors (Stars and Snakes) Associate Teachers taught at PSC in the planetarium and the longhouse and in schools. Each associate teacher wrote a lesson, and there were 12 to choose from. Staff did two trips a year: one to the San Juans and one to eastern Washington.

1980 - 1989 1980 - Starlab II inflatable planetarium added as its own traveling program (no exhibits). Funded through a grant from the Bishop Foundation. 1981 - New van purchased for Science on Wheels & Starlab, funded through a grant from the Seattle Foundation. 1982 - First Computer Van hits the road. Visits only Puget Sound area schools. Funded by grants from Hi Comp Technology Corp., EL-DEC, Alterra Partners, Founder's Fund, United Airlines Arnold Palmer Golf Classic, General Electric and the Seattle Foundation. 1983 - Second Computer Van debuts, visits only Seattle Schools, funded through a grant from the Medina Foundation and Seattle Foundation. First Computer Van travels now available to travel to other parts of the state. 1983 - Stars and Snakes debuts. 1983 - Increased funding from the state allows SOW, SAS and Computer Van to travel outside King County without charging travel costs for the first time. 1985 - Comet on Wheels program debuts and runs for one year (for obvious reasons!). The first SOW van to have a opening assembly. 1985 - Major emphasis on expanding statewide services. 1983-85 biennium had 35% of van visits outside King County; 1985-87 had 69% outside. 1985 - Computer Vans and SOW vans combined into one program. 1986 - Water on Wheels. Development funded by grants from Discuren Charitable Foundation, Ben B. Cheney Foundation, Bullitt Foundation, E.Ke. and Lillian F. Bishop Foundation, and Washington Sea Grant. 1988 - Robot Van 1988 - Physics on Wheels 1989 - Blood and Guts debuts, developed in partnership with Group Health. 1989 - Funding from the legislature allows SOW program to move to five programs on the road per week and to expand staffing fourfold. Every county in the state is served. (The 39th and final county was Wahkiakum, which had only one elementary school. We finally called and offered them a fee visit just to check them off!) The five vans are Blood and Guts, Robot Van, Science on Wheels, Stars and Snakes, and Physics on Wheels. 1990 - King County Solid Waste Division funds Waste Busters middle school program 1992 - National Institutes of Health funds Brain Power program which includes a visit to the school, teacher workshop and workshops for student leaders to replicate after the visit. 1993? - Added Tech Van, Rock and Roll (Earth Science) 1999: Added the Mathfinder van

2003: Converted the Technology van to the Engineering van

200? - When and what was the work with second language learners in Yakima area/