The Franklin Institute and GlaxoSmithKline Award a Science in the Summer Grant to The Science House Imhotep and Kyran Anderson Academies Programs
March 7, 2024 (RALEIGH) – In the spaces between school learning, summer learning loss, and the noticeable declines in student achievement across subject areas, especially mathematics, Imhotep and Kyran Anderson Academies are positioned in the summer of 2024 to step into the gaps by providing GlaxoSmithKline Science in the Summer STEM learning experiences for diverse elementary and middle school students through a grant from The Franklin Institute.
The partnership between The Franklin Institute, The Science House, and the College of Sciences at North Carolina State University will provide STEM experiences from May to September. Diverse students from rural and urban counties will have the opportunity to participate in programming designed to increase children’s interest and confidence in doing science and pursuing STEM careers, especially for children from backgrounds currently underrepresented in STEM fields.
The program aims to do this by providing opportunities for children to:
● Embody science careers. Role-play and imagination are important ways that children practice skills and learn to identify with careers and roles. Science in the Summer activities
invite children to take on the role of different scientists by framing each activity with a storyline that provides real-world context for the phenomena they are investigating through that career.
● Have fun. The program focuses on creating memorable, engaging science experiences rather than acquiring new science knowledge. Creating moments of excitement and connections to children’s everyday experience helps build positive attitudes and confidence in science and STEM careers.
● Think scientifically. The program’s activities encourage children to recognize and develop scientific practices such as asking questions, making observations and predictions, and drawing conclusions from evidence.
This summer’s theme is ‘Be A Space Scientist’ and will explore careers in rocket engineering, astrobiology, spacesuit design, planetary geology, and robotics engineering. Versed in STEM programming for diverse students and online education, the Imhotep and Kyran Anderson Academy team of STEM educators from public and private school settings, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students will welcome K-12 student to explore these areas of space science.
Dr. Alonzo Alexander, Director of the Imhotep and Kyran Anderson Academies, said, “ We’re excited to partner with The Franklin Institute and have the support of GlaxoSmithKline to deliver needed summer STEM engagement to students in North Carolina. ”
About Imhotep and Kyran Anderson Academy STEM Programs
Imhotep and Kyran Anderson Academies are pre-college programs designed to engage elementary and middle school (3-8) students in discovering the interdisciplinary connections of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in their everyday lives. Hosted at The Science House on North Carolina State University’s Centennial Campus, the program offers enjoyable project-based activities, interaction with STEM professionals, college and career learning experiences, and field trips. The programs serve 300 students annually from rural and urban counties across North Carolina through six weeklong summer learning experiences. The programs’ mission and goals center on increasing historically underrepresented students’ interest in STEM; preparing students for college matriculation; providing multicultural enrichment learning experiences; teaching about innovative contributions of scientists and inventors from diverse backgrounds; and building students’ self-confidence, problem-solving skills and self-efficacy. Parents of participants have reported that their children gained more knowledge of STEM content, stronger research skills and greater awareness of STEM careers (Remote Learning Survey, 2023).
About The Science House
Since The Science House (TSH) was founded in 1991, the organization has remained committed to bringing the resources of North Carolina’s largest research institution to K-12 teachers and students across the state. Providing resources, programs, and teaching materials, TSH empowers scientific literacy and hands-on discovery.
About Science in the Summer
Science in the Summer, sponsored by GSK, is a free hands-on science summer program for children entering grades 2-6. The flagship program launched in Philadelphia in 1986 and has since expanded to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and to a national network of informal educational organizations. The Franklin Institute administers the Philadelphia program and the national network across the United States.