Discover
Discover is the Natrona County School District's enrichment program.
The program, which started in 2003, brings world-class enrichment opportunities to students right in their classrooms while their teachers engage in professional development. The program helps reduce the number of in-service days or substitute teachers used in the district, and it provides students the chance to experience hands-on learning and see once-in-a-lifetime presentations.
Discover presenters come from Casper's own backyard, with regular presentations by the Nicolaysen Art Museum, and the Natrona County Public Library. These presentations support the topics students are learning in their regular curriculum, and partnerships with the school district strengthen these community resources for everyone in Natrona County.
Discover also brings in many outside presentations, such as nationally recognized motivational speakers, athletes, and scientists. We have had visitors from the National Security Agency, from NASA, from Olympic history, and more.
To schedule a presentation or learn more about the Discover program, contact Lori Burns.
Staff
Lori Burns
Program Facilitator
307-253-5394
lori_burns@natronaschools.org
Kelly Eastes
Chief Public Relations Officer
307-253-5370
kelly_eastes@natronaschools.org
Calendar of Events
To see a calendar of upcoming Discover events, please click on the link below.
Related Links
Funding Information
Natrona County property owners are assessed a one-mill tax to fund recreation opportunities in the county.
Thirty percent of the tax income is managed by the Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers Board. This board uses the money to bestow grants on community organizations for recreational services, facilities and activities. For more information on the Red Board, click here.
The remaining 70 percent of the tax income goes to the Natrona County School District for use in educational and professional development efforts. The money funds Discover, which provides enrichment to students while their teachers engage in professional development during school hours.
Currently, Discover partners with local community groups and agencies to provide much of the enrichment for students. Partners include:
Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming
Casper Children's Theatre
Casper Planetarium
Casper Recreation Center
Fort Caspar Museum
Natrona County Public Library
Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center
Painted Past Productions
Approximately 50 percent of Discover's budget is given back to the Natrona County community through these partnerships, which also help build educational programming at the partner agencies.
The remaining portion of Discover's budget is used to bring outside presentations to the students of Natrona County. These presentations have included the Denver Zoo, astronauts, Olympic athletes, musicians and artists, the Smithsonian and MIT.
