Lake Researcher

The Science and Learning Center Concept

The concept of the Crater Lake Science and Learning Center is similar to an educational field school. The park’s central location within 100 miles of two other national parks and five metropolitan centers in Southern Oregon puts it within reach of an area with a combined population of approximately 500,000. The regional area includes three state universities, five community colleges as well as over 200 public and private schools within a one-day round trip. The park itself attracts over 500,000 visitors annually.

The Center provides support for individual researchers to small educational work groups. At the Center we bring together natural and social scientists, artists, educators and pupils towards common goals of investigation, inspiration, appreciation and natural and cultural resources stewardship. Our emphasis is to attract high quality, focused investigations, to translate scientific information for managers and educators, and to incorporate research information into management decisions, interpretive programs and regional educational materials.

Students at Crater Lake

Mission Statement

The Crater Lake Science and Learning Center provides research and educational opportunities to promote the understanding, appreciation and stewardship of our Nation’s natural and cultural heritage. The focus of the Center is to: attract high quality investigations; translate scientific information for managers and educators and; to incorporate research information into management decisions, interpretive programs and regional educational programs.

Operational Goals

The goals of the Center are to:

1. Enhance the mutual collaboration with partners furthering common interest in the park for scientific investigations and technical applications.

2. Increase the amount of site centered scientific and technical information at Crater Lake National Park and to translate that information making it readily available as a foundation for park management decisions, educational lesson planning, interpretive media and public awareness.

3. Provide research, discovery and learning opportunities to promote understanding, appreciation and stewardship of the natural and cultural heritage of Crater Lake National Park.

4. Attract, encourage, facilitate and support teachers, students and practitioners of the arts and humanities in using the park as a place of inspiration for creative expression.

5. Promote the role of art, music and creative expression in interpreting and conveying scientific exploration, technical applications and the park’s natural and cultural heritage.

6. Expand the horizon of funding opportunities for park research and applied technologies.