Young Curators

Group of middle school aged youth participating in a program with Teen Intern instructors
Image attribution
Leroy Hamilton
What is Young Curators?

The Young Curators program partners with community-based organizations around Los Angeles to provide free and exclusive afterschool science programming for middle school students. Participants will explore science within their own communities and investigate exciting new topics each semester.

Our Community Partners

The Young Curators program is exclusively partnered with local community-based organizations. The California Science Center aims to bring science back into the places where youth spend most of their time — in their community and schools. Please see the list below to find out if we will be in a class near you!

We are honored to partner with the following community-based organizations:

Brotherhood Crusade
Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA)
Korean American Family Services (KFAM)
L.A.C.E.R. Afterschool Programs
Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club
Para Los Niños

Community Program Pipeline
Hands-On Science Camp (TK-5th)
Scholarships for qualifying students
Young Curators (6th-8th)
School year and summer programs
Community Teen Interns (10th-12th)
Paid intern program teaching science

It was an amazing experience. Our students had a great time, learned so much, and the activities were great.

Cecilia H., M.Ed., Para los Niños

Meet the Staff

Jazmine Aguirre staff photo
Jazmine Aguirre

Community Engagement Coordinator

Jazmine

Jazmine was born and raised in Los Angeles but moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2020. There, she worked in the Education Department for the Desert Botanical Garden for almost 2 years. Jazmine recently moved back to LA and is excited to be working with middle school youth through the Young Curators program. She is passionate about creating science and nature-based experiences and programs for community youth.

Rosemary Garista staff photo
Rosemary Garista

Manager of Community Programs

Rosemary

Rosemary has worked in the Education Department at the California Science Center since 2010. Currently, she oversees the Education department's Community Programs which include the Community Teen Interns, Young Curators, and the New Village Girls Academy science program. Rosemary received her B.A. degree in Biological Sciences and B.A. degree in Spanish, and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Southern California. Through the Community Programs, Rosemary hopes to provide local middle school and high school youth with unique science experiences and opportunities that will empower them in their academic, professional and personal lives.