In The News
Stay informed about the latest happenings in STEM education at DRI. This page features recent news, announcements, and blog posts that showcase the impact of our STEM Education Program—highlighting student achievements, community partnerships, upcoming events, and more.
Explore our stories to learn how DRI is inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
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News & Announcements
Science Alive: An Introduction
Howdy everyone, and welcome to DRI’s Science Alive blog! What is DRI, you ask? And for that matter, what is Science Alive? The Desert Research Institute (DRI for short) is the non-profit environmental research branch of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE)...
Engage with Science Alive’s NASA Inspired Content
Science Alive has resources to help Nevada's educators discover the wonders of space and engineering education. Inspired by NASA, all of these offerings are available to educators across the state for use in both formal and informal education. NASA STEM Kits -...
Nevada Gold Mines donates $100,000 to DRI’s Nevada Robotics State-wide Teaching Training Program
Reno, Nev. (Feb. 27, 2020) - Robotics clubs and competitions have become popular in many Nevada middle and high schools in recent years, but opportunities for participation at the elementary school level have so far been limited. This is set to change, thanks...
Desert Research Institute to lead Nevada’s new Regional STEM Networks
Reno & Las Vegas, NV (Feb. 6, 2020): The Desert Research Institute (DRI) and the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation, and Technology (OSIT) today announced the creation of three new Regional STEM Networks across the state. With a growing need for a...
People-powered research: Citizen science makes microplastics discovery at Lake Tahoe possible
Take a moment to picture a scientist who has made a groundbreaking discovery. What does that person look like? Perhaps it’s a person in a white coat standing in a lab with microscopes and test tubes, or a distinguished professor accepting an award on stage. What if...
DRI and The Discovery Launch First-Ever Northern Nevada Science & Technology Festival
RENO, Nev. (April 24, 2019) – From May 13th to 17th, the Desert Research Institute (DRI) and the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum (The Discovery) are hosting the region’s first-ever Northern Nevada Science & Technology Festival (NNS&TF). The festival...
Nevada Higher Education Institutions Partner with Tesla in New Robotics Academy For Teachers
Students assemble a basic electric motor at Gigafactory 1 with Tesla volunteers during Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day 2019. Credit: Tesla New program to offer K-12 teacher trainings developed by DRI, UNR and UNLV Reno, Nev. (April 16, 2019) - The Desert...
Tesla selects DRI’s Science Alive to develop statewide teacher training infrastructure
Reno, NV (July 19, 2018): The Desert Research Institute is proud to announce that the DRI Science Alive K-12 Outreach Program has been selected as one of several recipients of the first round of funding through Tesla’s new Nevada K-12 Education Investment Fund....
DRI Science Alive included in Nevada’s newest list of recommended STEM programs
Reno, NV (Weds, Nov. 8, 2017): The Desert Research Institute (DRI) is proud to announce that Science Alive, the Institute’s K-12 outreach program and home of the Green Box initiative, has been selected for inclusion on the Nevada STEM Advisory Council’s new list of...