News

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Center for STEM Research, Education and Outreach is sharing its extensive resources and experts’ knowledge in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with community members through innovative learning opportunities.

This Spring, the Center is providing a diverse range of STEM-related outreach programming, including:

• Teaching science lessons to students in the homeschool network Metro East Catholic Homeschool Educators (MECHE)
• Hosting workshops and engaging lessons at the Granite City Public Library
• Enhancing educator expertise through YWCA professional development and teacher workshops

“All of our outreach programming aligns with SIUE’s mission to engage the community, expand and integrate knowledge, and promote life-long learning,” said Colin Wilson, manager of SIUE’s STEM Resource Center.

Wilson and SIUE students teach the science labs to MECHE students on campus, using the University’s high level resources.

“They are covering a variety of science lessons at home, and we can give them hands-on experience with lab equipment, chemicals, specialized instruments and other resources not available at home,” Wilson explained.

“Our homeschool group has found STEM science labs invaluable to offering our middle and high-school students a complete science lab experience,” said Nekcoe Yungling with MECHE. “We have found the monthly labs to be professional, educational and tailor-made for our group’s diverse needs. We are depending on the STEM Center to fulfill all of the necessary science labs our children need for 2016.”

The STEM Center utilizes MOSAIC (Minds on Science Activities in the Community) programming at the Granite City Public Library to provide an opportunity for students and parents to engage in interactive learning.

“The MOSAIC programs feature a variety of topics including the digestive system, crime-scene investigation and owl pellets,” Wilson said. “Students get the opportunity to create and explore in an individual way with peers and parents.”

Along with providing learning opportunities for students, the STEM Center enhances the educational expertise of community program coordinators and STEM educators.

“We’re providing professional development for the staff at the Alton YWCA, who provide after-school and summer camp programming to girls in the area and want to follow the best practices available in their efforts,” said Wilson. “Our program is based on work done by the Exploratorium in San Francisco, with an emphasis on hands-on projects, student-driven learning and inquiry classrooms.”

The STEM Center at SIUE is dedicated to building a community of researchers and educators, who together innovate ways to engage students and the public in STEM. For more information on the Center and available programming, visit stemideas.org.

Photos: Colin Wilson, manager of SIUE’s STEM Resource Center, leads a chemistry lab experience.

Ian Wall, of Belleville, participates in a science lab provided to his homeschool network by the SIUE STEM Center.