“I love science now because of [our Global Village scientist]. I wish we had more time with him. I’d trade recess for more time with him.”
“It’s so cool to actually have [a Global Village scientist] who does this with you. It opens new doors, new ideas. I might even want to do this — You know, I never knew science could be that fun.”
–District 97 4th grade girls
The Oak Park Education Foundation recently received a $6,460 grant to add 10 scientists each year to the Global Village program’s current roster of 30 scientists. Working in collaboration with 3rd through 8th grade students and teachers, the scientists will reach approximately 450 more students across the district.
Global Village makes science “come alive” for students and inspires them to consider careers in science. Our experts (all Oak Park residents) come from esteemed institutions such as Argonne National Laboratories, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and many area universities and hospitals.
Global Village scientists conduct environmental tests on area rivers, dissect sheep’s eyes and owl pellets, build and launch rockets, plan and design rain gardens, study infectious diseases, and much more. The program also includes field trips as well as the Young Scientists Conference.
This new ongoing grant is awarded by the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation’s Gunzburger Educational Fund.
* The program is now named “Science Alliance”