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DiscoverU

With DiscoverU, the San Diego Public Library encourages youth (grades 3-12) and emerging adults (ages 18-25) to explore their interests and achieve their highest potential. Workshops cover STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) concepts, college readiness, career preparation and life skills.

Working with partners and other community organizations, DiscoverU offers a mix of in-person and virtual programming, including college information sessions, engineering activities, camps for entrepreneurs-in-training, SAT and ACT test preparation and more.

 

 

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Explore DiscoverU

High over-the-shoulder angle of a student with long dark hair and glasses just out of frame on the right side of the photo working on a robotics project made of wood and circuits. The student is holding some of the project in their hands, while more pieces are on a gray table with tools and bags containing smaller components. In the lower left corner is small black, gold, and teal text stating “DiscoverU” and “Explore. Prepare. Achieve.” on a white background.

DiscoverU STEAM workshops

Diverse group of male and female teenage students seated in a classroom and focused on taking a test. In the background is a blackboard with science and math figures. In the lower left corner is small black, gold, and teal text stating “DiscoverU” and “Explore. Prepare. Achieve.” on a white background.

Admit One: College Test Prep

A group of diverse teenage male and female students wearing backpacks and their teacher smiling for the camera. They are outside a building. In the lower left corner is small black, gold, and teal text stating “DiscoverU” and “Explore. Prepare. Achieve.” on a white background.

College 101 & Life Skills     

Asian appearing female adult with long black hair collaborating with a male appearing and a female appearing adult looking on in the background, while writing on a whiteboard. In the lower left corner is small black, gold, and teal text stating “DiscoverU” and “Explore. Prepare. Achieve.” on a white background.

Career Prep

A small smiling plush version of Niki de Saint Phalle’s Sun God sculpture—a colorful bird-like statue—at UC San Diego. It is wearing a blue and white letterman jacket with a round pin with the text “PiB” in a white three-dimensional box on a teal background. The left arm of the plush is over the right wing of a colorful robotic wood version of the Sun God. They are in a grassy area with buildings in the background. In the lower left corner is small black, gold, and teal text stating “DiscoverU” and “Explore

Project in a Box Workshops

Three people conducting a science experiement

Spring into STEAM

 

Featured Events

A collection of different colored hard hats seen from above

Trade Talk: The Power of Skilled Trades
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Logan Heights Library
Level: High School (Grades 9 - 12) & Ages 18+

Discover the power of skilled trades and apprenticeships. No degree? No problem -- your career could start here. This interactive workshop explores options and matches interests and aspirations, highlighting self-discovery, opportunity awareness, and planning next steps with confidence.

Register Here

 

 
Person sitting and wearing virtual reality headset physically manipulating digital brain in a high-tech lab.

Cyber Safe: Learn About Cyber Security | Taste of Technology
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 |  4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
North Clairemont Library
Level: Elementary School (Grades 3 - 6) & Middle School (Grades 7 - 8)

Enter the world of cybersecurity! Step into the shoes of a cybersecurity engineer and learn about the important role they play. Think like a hacker and get the details on how and why social engineering works, then learn best practices to stay safe on the Internet.

Register Here

 
long haired woman seated at desk writing something with book and laptop open

SAT Test Prep (Session 1)
Saturdays, February 7 to March 7, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Pacific Highlands Ranch Library
Level: High School (Grades 9 - 12)

Get ready for the SAT! In this 5-day course, students will get the scoop on the digital SAT, review and practice key subject material, and learn test-taking techniques, time management skills, and strategies to tackle different types of questions.

Register Here

 

 
Group of five young adults standing and collaborating in front of whiteboard

Launchpad: Entrepreneurship Boot Camp
Monday, March 23 to Friday, March 27, 2026 | 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Central Library - Wells Fargo Technology Learning Center (4th Floor)
Level: High School (Grades 9 - 12)

Curious about starting your own business but not sure where to start? Through knowledgeable instructors, teamwork, exercises, and discussions with founders of startups, participants will learn how to come up with viable business ideas, understand marketing and identifying the target customer, and develop an entrepreneurial strategy. At the end of the program, participants will make a team sales pitch to expert judges from San Diego's own startup community.

Register Here

 
Young adult wearing coveralls and gloves working in car engine bay with tools in hand

Automotive Maintenance & Safety
Various Dates and Locations
Level: Various

Interested in learning more about how to care for and maintain an automobile? Join us in this informative session to develop a foundation in automotive maintenance and safety!

Register Here

 

Upcoming Events

Jan 8
4pm - 5pm

Cooking for Teens

Teens

Jan 9
4pm - 5pm

Animal Careers | Discover U

Elementary School Age

Jan 10
1pm - 2pm

Healthy Cooking

Emerging Adults, Adults

Jan 10
3pm - 4:30pm

Build It, Fix It: Careers for Builders and Creators

Middle School Age, Teens

Jan 13
4pm - 6pm

Problem Solvers: Food Deserts

Elementary School Age, Middle School Age

 

Reading Recommendations

 

Online Resources

General

STEAM

College 101

Career Prep

Life Management

 

Partners

Two small squares of teal above a gold square with “SD” in white text. To the left of the squares in two lines are large gray text stating “LIBRARY FOUNDATION.”
Carnegie corporation New York logo in blue on white background

 

DiscoverU

Laura Yee
Program Development Coordinator
Phone: 619-236-5807

Email: DiscoverU@sandiego.gov