6th Annual In Search of Genius Inter-School Science Competition Brings Together Hundreds of Young Scientists

Submitted to Patch

Foundation Inspires Chicago’s Next Student Scientists through Hands-On Learning, Extends Pilot Program to Northern Suburbs with Support from NRG Energy Inc.

On Tuesday, June 16, the In Search of Genius Foundation (ISOG) will host its Sixth Annual Inter-School Science Competition at North Park University. The event brings together hundreds of students, principals and teachers from schools across Chicagoland to celebrate what they have learned throughout the school year, with hands-on challenges in Electricity, Ecology and Physics. In addition, one student from each school will receive the Perplexus Award, which acknowledges their persistence to succeed even when faced with the difficulties and challenges of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning.

The event is the culmination of ISOG’s educational program, which provides critical enrichment education in STEM fields to elementary students in Chicagoland’s most underserved communities. ISOG encourages students to discover new life skills and sparks sustained interest in these critical fields through a 20-week, hands-on program delivered by young, successful mentors and role models.

The program addresses the shortcomings of education in STEM fields, which has set U.S. students behind peers around the world. According to a recent National Math and Science Initiative report, only 36 percent of high school graduates are ready for college-level science courses. Participation in ISOG programs has made a significant impact with its students, including:

• An average increase of 68 percent in knowledge of science content
• Positive upticks in 78 percent of participating students regarding social-emotional and attitude markers
• Increases from 48 percent to 67 percent of participating students meeting/exceeding school science standards

With support from NRG Energy Inc. (NRG), the program expanded to Chicagoland’s northern suburbs this year, serving students in Waukegan School District 60. The launch in Waukegan was in tandem with a larger initiative from NRG to improve energy efficiency and sustainability in Illinois, including a $3 million donation to build solar power generators on-site at several Waukegan schools. Over the next several years, ISOG will look for similar opportunities to grow its impact across Chicagoland.

About In Search of Genius Foundation

Founded by Gerry Walanka, ISOG launched in 2007 at the Chicago premiere of NOVA’s Forgotten Genius, a documentary about how African-American chemist Dr. Percy L. Julian became one of the great scientists of the 20th century. This year, ISOG has served nearly 600 students in both after-school science clubs and during school as an enrichment program.