Fostering Wonder: Strengthening Pathways to Science

Dear Friends,

Devon Francis smiling on the Beartooth Pass

It likely won’t surprise you to hear that science is facing significant challenges today. Science can be difficult to understand: why it’s a never-ending journey of learning, why truths held for a century can be upended by new discoveries, why scientists crave new information, and, in our case, why anyone should care about what happened 150 million years ago—or why rocks matter.

I am not a scientist, but I am someone deeply fascinated by science. Are you studying a niche area that only five people on the planet have heard of? Tell me more! Did you uncover a new fact you didn’t know before? Tell me more! I love to listen and bask in others’ passions, and science is an exhilarating space filled with meaningful questions, profound thoughts, and endless wonder.

I love working at Elevation Science because we are in the business of wonder. Our programs invite people to engage their curiosity, discover things never before seen by human eyes, and invite participants to experience nature in profound ways. They learn about paleontology, geology, field techniques, conservation, and so much more—by directly engaging in the work. These programs have a real impact on how our participants understand and embrace the natural sciences. These programs inspire action.

Science is critically important, and we must ensure it thrives despite the challenges it faces. We aim to inspire people to pursue careers in science and environmental studies and support their journey. We seek to cultivate advocates for excellence in K–12 science education. And we want people, like me, who are not scientists to know that science works for all of us—and to feel empowered to be part of it.

Over the years, we’ve received countless emails beginning with, “My week with Elevation Science inspired me to…” These stories remind us of the impact our work has, and we hope to hear many more for years to come.

Elevation Science is on a mission to strengthen pathways to science and foster wonder. If you’d like to join us in this mission, please consider donating to support our programs.

Thank you for your continued support!

My best,
Devon Francis
Director of Development
Elevation Science Institute