The Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization (iBIO), dedicated to inspiring the next generation of innovators and helping restore America’s leadership in technology education, announced they will double the number of STEM kits provided to foster interest in STEM education and careers. Beginning this month and continuing through December 2022, iBIO will give every fifth-grade student at Des Plaines Community Consolidated School District 62’s nine elementary schools activity kits to encourage at-home learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
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The iBIO STEM Kit program, which launched last January for students in various grades in District 62, filled an important educational gap created by distance learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this first phase of the program, with support from the global healthcare company Abbott, iBIO distributed approximately 2,000 STEM kits.
iBIO had committed to iterating the STEM Kit program with an eye toward continuous improvement on behalf of the state’s students, their families, future employers, and society at large. This new focus on a single grade level is the result of a strong partnership with the school district’s teachers and administration.
“We learned that this model fits into the district’s strategic plan for teaching STEM material to their students,” said Ann Vogel, SVP, Charitable Programs, iBIO. “Fifth grade is a critical time for intervention, so we want to make sure that we nurture an interest in STEM. Each kit also includes a STEM Hero card which provides a detailed profile of an expert working in the field at Abbott. These Heroes help students connect their hands-on fun with future career opportunities.”
The district’s teachers will be “cheerleaders” for the program, providing support and encouragement to their students, discussing career paths that are open to young adults with STEM education, and administering surveys to capture feedback about the STEM kits.
Jennifer Meister, a 5th grade teacher at South Elementary School, said, “I am excited to give my students the opportunity to extend their learning in science and math with these kits. I look forward to hearing about all of the exciting activities my students will engage in at home.”