"One of the real shortcomings for children in communities like City Heights and other areas is the lack of opportunity to have exposure to cultural institutions as well as museums and science resources," said Robert E. Price, who with his wife Allison leads Price Philanthropies, a private family foundation.

Because of their passion for changing the way education is delivered to students living in underserved areas, Robert and Allison Price, through Price Philanthropies, donated $6 million to UC San Diego's Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The gift will establish the Price Philanthropies Ocean Science Education Fund, an education outreach program in ocean and earth science. This permanent resource will expand access to the aquarium's current outreach programs and support development of an innovative new education program for students throughout San Diego County. These hands-on programs will not only advance student engagement in science and inspire interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, but also provide a blueprint for how teachers, informal science educators and scientists can work together to transform science education.