Amid a “science and math crisis in this country,” Good Samaritan Institute is born in South Walton

Nestled among mature trees along County Road 393N across from South Walton’s main fire station rests an obscure brick building.

Most don’t know that the meeting rooms inside are a destination for educators and cancer researchers from across the country.

Doug Liles founded the Good Samaritan Institute in 2002, because, he said, God laid it on his heart and he feels it is his destiny to do this.

“There is a crisis in science education in this country,” Liles explains. “Our country is currently 20th in the world in science and that needs to change. Our schools are not even hiring teachers with degrees in science to teach our students. Science education is the thing that makes countries great.”

Killer cells that seek out and destroy cancer

Killer cells that seek out and destroy cancer may seem like the stuff of fiction, but it may become a reality at the Santa Rosa Beach-based Good Samaritan Institute.

Doug Liles, founder for the institute, recently opened talks with St. Jude hospital in a move to expand its educational offerings to include such cutting-edge research.

The idea is to facilitate lab training for oncologists using N-K cells, or natural killer cells, developed by doctors at St. Jude in Memphis, Tenn.“

It is one of the most amazing things I have seen in my life,” the microbiologist said of a video demonstration he saw of “supercharged” cells, which search out and kill nine cancer cells, rest and then begin seeking nine more cancer cells to kill.

Learning Ocean Science through Ocean Exploration Curriculum

On November 6, 2010 the Good Samaritan Institute was honored to host science teachers from throughout Northwest Florida for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s “Learning Ocean Science through Ocean Exploration Curriculum”, a one day professional development institute.  Under the leadership of Melissa Ryan, one of NOAA’s top instructors, teachers participated in inquiry- and standards-based activities, written and tested by scientists and educators and also tied directly to ocean expeditions.

Seaside Farmer’s Market

On our first Saturday at the Seaside Farmer’s Market on 6/19/2010 we had 27 people stop by to learn about GSI and the current crisis in science education. I had 12 children make bracelets using the UV beads and 3 people brought soil samples for analysis. We had 10 people stop to learn more about the composition of soil from our soil display.

On July 3, 2010 we set up again and had an even better response. Despite the heat, we had 39 people stop by to learn about GSI and its mission. Seventeen children made bracelets with the UV beads.