Notice: We are temporarily closed as we move locations. Visit the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion beginning May 22.
| ALLENTOWN, PA. June 2022— Da Vinci Science Center’s STEM Summer Learning Program received a generous $10,000 grant from the Bosch Community Fund. The program, offered to students in the Allentown, Bethlehem Area, and the James Lawson Freedom School initiative in Easton and Allentown, is designed to combat “summer slide” and address learning loss resulting from the pandemic. Studies show that during summer breaks students can lose up to three months of grade level equivalency in math and reading. Students from low-income households are especially impacted because of limited or no access to summer learning opportunities. Since 2018, Da Vinci Science Center has partnered with area school districts to provide collaborative, in-depth summer programs where students can participate in summer learning opportunities taught jointly by a classroom teacher and a Da Vinci Science Center educator. The combination of science and literacy is a powerful means to capture student interest and engagement. “Hands-on science investigations are tied directly to reading strategies. This motivates learners to comprehend and use that new knowledge and understand why reading is important in their lives.,” explained Karen Knecht, Senior Director of STEAM Education for Da Vinci Science Center. “We are fortunate to have the support of the Bosch Community Fund to help sustain this valuable program.” The co-teaching model combines science and literacy instruction in the form of hands-on science investigations into topics like insects, robotics, and transportation. Designed based on best practices learned from the National Summer Learning Association, students are offered more than 100 hours of learning instruction each summer. Participants in the STEM Summer Learning program are given pre- and post-content assessments in both reading and science based on common misconceptions about the topic studied; each year most students have maintained or scored better on post-tests. Additionally, students’ attitudes about science have improved, with most saying they liked science more than they did at the beginning of the program, and that the program helped them realize they are good at science and engineering. Knecht points out that “science is all around us and everyone can think like a scientist and engineer every day. Sometimes we just need to highlight how students already do this and enhance their skills. STEM Summer Learning encourages children to discover their inner scientist and engineer and helps them be better prepared for the next school year.” Additional funders for the STEM Summer Learning program include Daiichi Sankyo, the Walter and Alma Bastian Foundation, and the Sylvia Perkin Charitable Trust. About Da Vinci Science Center The Da Vinci Science Center is a national award-winning non-profit science center that has been bringing science to life and lives to science for nearly 30 years. Da Vinci Science Center experiences make science fun and approachable, helping to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with the wonders of science. The Science Center engages more than 150,000 participants annually with its exhibits, programs, events, and partnerships. To learn more about these and other programs, visit www.davincisciencecenter.org and follow them on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter. About Bosch Community Fund |
| The Bosch Community Fund, the corporate foundation for Bosch in North America was established in 2011 to provide community engagement and philanthropic support on behalf of our company. The Fund focuses on the enrichment of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and advancing environmental sustainability initiatives. We partner with 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions across the country to provide quality project-based learning hands-on learning opportunities for students and professional development for teachers. |
