In the early 90's, AOIS founder Carrie Planter had a dream to spread her unusual interests and unique ideas through the country.  With a group of friends, she began teaching classes about active learning and hands-on research at a local university.  With help from local businesses, Carrie began the AOIS on her foundation of open learning concepts and interesting information.  Throughout the years, AOIS grew to become a world-renowned research facility.

The AOIS is well known for its departments: doodleology, zoology, cryptozoology, ritualism, and nuclear physics. Not only did Carrie choose some lesser-known topics to base her organization upon, but she hired individuals with backgrounds in the topics to train, educate, and inspire her employees. 

In 2002, Carrie began the AOISU to educate younger minds for sharing their own unique ideas with the world. The U quickly became one of the world's most coveted college, going from just a handful of students that year to nearly 10,000 in 2015. 

Today, AOIS is one of the world's most well-known research centers.  AOIS staff travel to exotic places to study a variety of topics and bring revolutionary discoveries to the rest of the world.  AOIS receives funding from National Geographic and TIME Magazine, as well as hundreds of zoos, research facilties, and benefactors across the United States.  You can visit the AOIS on Long Island, New York.