The East Bay Academy for Young Scientists works to develop critical thinking skills through scientific research and exploration within low income communities of color in the cities of Oakland, Richmond, Emeryville, and San Francisco, California. We work to rouse underdeveloped skills within elementary, middle and high school students through scientific investigations within the communities of the student scientists. Much of our research and curriculum addresses environmental quality within the schools and communities where we work and gives young scientists access to information technologies to enhance data collection and understanding of the world around them.