NSF Grant Promotes STEM Learning in Middle Schools

October 27, 2014

Brookhaven Lab has been offering engineering workshops to students for many years.

Brookhaven National Laboratory will collaborate on a project to introduce STEM-based learning opportunities to middle school children through 25 Boys & Girls Clubs on Long Island and in the metropolitan New York area. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $2.5 million to the five-year project, to be based at Hofstra University’s Center for STEM Research.
The more than 6,000 children in the program will take part in hands-on engineering design activities using online animations, simulations, videos, and multi-media links. Presented in an informal learning environment, “Wise Guys & Gals – Boys & Girls as WISEngineering STEM Learners” will provide innovative academic challenges created to promote an interest in engineering and design, and an understanding of how science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills can translate into careers. Afterschool programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs will involve hundreds of trained learning facilitators. 

Brookhaven’s role will be to help develop the hands-on curriculum and also to create a professional development framework for the teachers in order to make the program sustainable in future years. “We are excited to be working with Hofstra University on another NSF grant,” said Ken White, manager of BNL’s Office of Educational Programs. “Our previous work with Hofstra provided the Lab’s Office of Educational Programs an opportunity to develop sustainable middle school science programs that now bring thousands of students here every year. This project will also reach thousands of students and prepare afterschool educators to sustain science programs with the Boys & Girls Clubs long after project completion.”

To learn more visit: www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=25190

2014-5301  |  INT/EXT  |  Newsroom