By Melissa Heintz Public Affairs Specialist, IMLS The Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, Calif., is inspiring the youth of today for the challenges and advances of tomorrow. DSC President Joe Adams describes the science center as a place that gives youths hands-on exploration of the world around us and invites them to be a part of it. Every month the science center changes its focus to align with what kids are learning in school. It works with teachers to connect the lessons learned in the classroom to the lessons learned in the science center. These hands-on demonstrations help explain the scientific concepts they are learning about. Kate Upton grew up at the science center. As a kid she was interested in the world around her. She paid regular visits to the science center as a child, volunteered there during high school, and worked there for her summer job throughout her college years. Now she is PhD student at the California Institute of Technology focusing on astrochemistry. The focus of her studies is Titan, one of Saturn’s moons that resembles the early stages of Earth’s atmosphere. She builds and tests instruments for a possible mission to Titan in the future. She credits the science center for nurturing and preserving her interest in science. Science is all around you. At the Discovery Science Center, they encourage you to go after it, challenge it, and explore it. The Discovery Science Center was one of 10 winners of the 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for libraries and museums that are serving their communities in exceptional ways. Do you know of a museum or library that has made a difference? Nominations are now being accepted for the 2014 National Medal. Nomination forms must be mailed and postmarked by October 15, 2013.