PHILADELPHIA – (March 10, 2014) – Middle school students will gain real-life lab experience in materials science by playing and building with polymers as part of the University City Science Center STEAM Initiatives’ newest program, Polymer Play. Beginning in March, 15 students from KIPP West Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School will go to the Science Center once a week to explore plastic production through a team-directed design project. Polymer Play is funded by Cognizant’s “Making the Future” grant - an initiative to fund after-school, in-school, and summer programs aimed at sparking interest in the STEM fields. Polymer Play teaches teams of eighth grade students the ins and outs of materials science through design-based challenges. The students will study, make and recycle bio-plastics and experiment with tools including vacuum seals, laser cutters and power tools. Projects will be fostered and developed through interactions with on-campus scientists and entrepreneurs. A final team project will be designed and built by the group and exhibited to the public on the Science Center’s campus. The Science Center's STEAM Initiatives program was one of 33 youth-serving non-profit organizations to receive Cognizant’s “Making the Future” grants in 2014. The Cognizant grant program focuses on inspiring children, particularly girls and underrepresented minorities. Cognizant’s “Making the Future” education initiative has awarded over $5 million in four years to inspire children through fun and hands-on STEM learning opportunities. ”Making the Future” will support three sessions and 45 students through the Polymer Play program. Click here to view the entire press release on PR Web
03/10/14 | Press Releases
