GREEN BAY, WI – (WISS & WGBW) – Not every child has access to robust STEM learning experiences. So the Einstein Project of Green Bay works to provide hands-on learning materials for thousands of children in the area through the science kits loaned to schools and the Makerspace in the Brown County STEM Innovation Center.
Dennis Rockhill is the Makerspace Director of the Einstein Project. He said he and two friends started the Markerspace 10 years ago.
“It was called Proto-Inc., and we started out on the 3rd floor of the Central Library Downtown. Tim was involved in Destination Imagination. John and I helped coach robotics teams. So it seemed like a good fit to bring us three together” Rockhill said. “But we really started to focus on youth and creativity development and, basically, hands-on skills.”
He said that hands-on science learning provided in the Makerspace really fuels a passion for science in young people.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the model of the human body and how much of the brain is used for each body part. But the hands of this model are huge. They are like the largest part of the body. That’s because so much of your brain goes to controlling these digits and phalanges,” said Rockhill. “The combination of working with your hands and doing creative work is super good for your brain and super good for emotional and intelligent development.”
Kim Lemberger is the Director of Learning for the Einstein Project. She said for the past 30 years, the Einstein Project has brought creative learning and science kits into schools at all grade levels from kindergarten through high school.
“We’ve been upgrading our curriculum,” said Lemberger. “We’ve been continuing to evolve our curriculum to meet today’s students where they’re at.”
Lemberger said that getting Einstein Project kits and curriculums in a school is as simple as reaching out to the principal or the curriculum director.
Girls in Science
Programs like the Einstein Project in Green Bay also serve to help inspire scientific curiosity in girls. Rockhill says there have been some strides made with girls and STEM education but more needs to be done.
“You know, the push is still on, though. We’re not there yet. We need to keep doing everything we can to encourage that trend to move forward. So, we’ve still got a lot of work to do there,” Rockhill said.
Lemberger said the Einstein Project hopes to set up scientific knowledge throughout our communities.
“And our goal, really, isn’t to create little scientists or little engineers. It’s to create scientifically literate citizens,” said Lemberger.
The Einstein Project will have its 28-foot mobile design lab at Artfest in Green Bay on July 20 and 21st.
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