A
Few Words About Us
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North Idaho Discovery Association
The North Idaho Discovery Association is a non-profit organization
founded by Dr. Lorna Finman as a way to foster learning and
innovation in science and technology through hands-on experience
and mentor based programs. Her vision is to inspire youth to
explore a variety of pathways into science, math, and technology,
and to open doors for youth to previously unknown opportunities
or interests.
We do this with:
• Hands-on exhibits
• Mentor based programs
• College planning support
• Cultivating internships
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Why
Was NIDA Created?
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NIDA was created to
facilitate a cultural shift in this country back to technology
and to redirect businesses from turning to China, India,
and others for innovative ideas and technology. By bolstering
the demand for science and technology among youth, they are
more receptive to meet the supply already in our education
system. The association also focuses on developing strong
role models for our youth to encourage them to pursue a career
in the sciences; offering scholarships to colleges and programs;
and securing internships in the student’s field of interest.
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We
Rely on Your Support
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NIDA relies on your support
NIDA is a locally funded organization and relies on private and corporate
sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities exist from sponsoring a FIRST Robotics
team for a few hundred dollars to major support for exhibits and the
facility.
Contact a NIDA representative today to find out how you
can influence the future generation of scientists, engineers,
and leaders.
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Current
Projects and Programs
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Exclusive Programs
MIT and NASA recently joined together to create an exclusive prototype
competition designed to test the strategic problem solving, team
work, and programming skills of several local high school kids.
The two “Dream Teams” are comprised of some of the areas brightest
minds from Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Lakeland, Classical Christian
Academy, and Bonners Ferry High Schools and were mentored by
coaches from those schools’ FIRST Robotics teams. NIDA not only
funded the teams to participate in this project, but also facilitated
the program to be located here in North Idaho
Summer Robotics Camps
NIDA provides summer Robotics Camps in the local area in support
of the organizations’ mission and vision. These summer camps
are the best of learning and fun rolled into one adventure! Children
participate in exciting team building activities while learning
the life skills of teamwork and problem solving. Teams learn
to build and program a Lego® Mindstorm Robot using the NXT programmable
brick to perform autonomous missions on a challenge field while
building valuable technology skills.
Science, Technology, And Research (STAR) Center
NIDA is in the design stages of building a 20,000 square foot facility
in North Idaho that will serve as the association’s headquarters
as well as be one third dedicated to hands-on exhibits and two
thirds dedicated to education and research in to science and
technology. The building itself will be an exhibit in that students
will be able to learn behind the scenes workings of a high tech
building and see alternative energy research tested in real time.
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