Eggsperiments and Stirring Up Success in Every Beaker

How In-Kind Support Brings STEM Lessons to Life
ByKathrin Rising

In the world of JEP’s STEM Education Programs, where young minds are ignited with curiosity and discovery, donations play a crucial role in transforming lessons from ordinary to extraordinary. In this newsletter article we want to shine a spotlight on the generosity of our in-kind donors and the profound impact of their contributions on our students’ learning experiences.

Students posing with their egg-contraptions
Students proudly posing with their egg-contraptions during the lesson

Fifth-grade students in our JEP STEM program embarked on an egg-citing journey delving into the realms of physics. Concepts like gravity, potential and kinetic energy, and momentum came to life as students designed and tested egg drop creations. With balloons, tape, pipe cleaners, cotton balls, and more, they crafted innovative contraptions to protect their precious cargo – eggs. Thanks to the generous donation of eggs from Voortman’s Egg Ranch, our students had the perfect medium to put their theories to the test.

Jaden Dangtran standing in front of a STEM Kit Donation
Jaden Dangtran, STEM Education Program TA, teaching a lesson on Water Filtration with the help of “Kids’ Lab” kits and other STEM materials donated by BASF.

Our heartfelt gratitude also goes out to BASF for their donation of STEM Kits, complete with aprons and lab goggles, and all the materials needed for an engaging lesson on water filtration. Jaden Dangtran, our fifth-grade coordinator, led the charge, teaching the lesson to over 150 students across different classrooms during Make-Your-Own-Lab week. With real science materials at their fingertips, our students delved deep into the world of water filtration, sparking a newfound curiosity for scientific exploration.

Kids working with their aprons and beakers
Kids in our 5th grade classrooms learning about water filtration with the help of materials donated by BASF

In the ever-evolving landscape of STEM education, the support of our donors is paramount. Their contributions not only provide essential resources but also inspire a passion for learning and discovery in our students. Jaden Dangtran acknowledges the significance of these donations, stating, “Having companies like BASF provide us with real science materials elevates the learning experience for our students, making it more realistic and engaging.”

An egg with a scared face painted on surrounded by cotton swabs
One of the eggs donated by Voortman’s Egg Ranch ready for their first flight – carefully protected by a student’s invention.

Kush Kumar, another 5th grade TA and instructor of one of the egg lessons, echoes this sentiment, sharing, ““I am incredibly grateful for our donors, both in-kind donors and those who provide financial support. Their generosity directly contributes to the quality of education that we are able to provide to our students. Without their contributions, it would be much more challenging to create enriching and impactful learning experiences. Their support not only benefits the students in the present but also lays the foundation for their future success in STEM fields.”

As we continue to nurture the minds of tomorrow’s innovators, we extend our deepest gratitude to all our donors, both in-kind and financial. Your generosity fuels our mission and empowers our students to reach new heights in the exciting world of STEM.

 

To read more articles that were featured in the Spring 2024 Edition of “What’s new at the JEP House?” please click here: What’s New at the JEP House? – Spring 2024