SIUE Partners with District 7 Summer Zone to Offer Interactive STEM Learning
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students are piquing the curiosity of local elementary students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) during the District 7 Summer Zone program. The seven-week program runs through July 17 at Woodland Elementary School in Edwardsville.
The undergraduate students are participating through the Robert J. Noyce Scholarship Science and Math Grants. The grants are funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and provide 14 $2,500 summer internships for 200 hours of in-service training for qualified SIUE freshmen and sophomores, and local community college students who are interested in STEM careers.
Through a partnership between the Center for STEM Research, Education and Outreach at SIUE and the District 7 Summer Zone, six Noyce interns are educating children under the theme “Tuesday-Thursday Discovery.”
“This partnership provides quality science experiences to our students and provides the STEM interns with a practicum setting to build foundation skills in group management and educating young people about science,” said Lori Compton, program director of District 7 Summer Zone. “The students enjoy the hands-on experiences and the parents like the enrichment component.”
“It is important to lay a foundation of STEM learning in the early grades to help children relate science to their every day life,” explained Sharon Locke, director of the SIUE STEM Center. “Kids have a love of science that is nourished by curiosity and discovery. We want that natural excitement to continue as they get older.”
The Noyce interns are presenting students with engaging STEM related activities in the areas of engineering, chemistry, biology, physics and astronomy. Classes like “Making Sense of Your Senses”, “Robotic Challenge” and “Go Go Gadget!” encourage hands-on learning.
“Science is not a time for students to sit and memorize, or fill out note sheets,” said Elisabeth Knierim, Noyce intern coordinator. “Science is an investigative process. It is a time to explore and think!
“This is a wonderful learning opportunity for the Noyce interns as they learn how to successfully communicate and collaborate. The interns are great role models who are providing entertaining experiences in math and science.”
Photo: (L-R) Participating Noyce interns Aaron Morris, Gabriel Msengi, Deanna Grant, Robert Mueller, Valerie Becker and Gretchen Werner pose with Noyce intern coordinator Elisabeth Knierim.
