VVSD Discovery Academy Applications Available Now

Valley View School District 365U sixth- and seventh-graders have until midnight on April 15 to submit their online applications for a free two-week science, technology, engineering and math day camp this summer.

Discovery Academy, which is being offered through a partnership between VVSD, Joliet Junior College and Illinois State University, is designed to foster skills, confidence, and interest in scientific and technological fields.

Discovery Scholars will engage in amazing hands-on activities while developing technical skills necessary to be successful in their lives. Activities will include coding, designing and launching water rockets, analyzing real data from NASA on climate change, building a robot, designing circuits to solve tasks and designing a wind turbine. Students will also explore careers and colleges and discover the joy and excitement of science.

“Middle school is a ‘make or break’ moment when it comes to interest in STEM fields,” said Dr. Rebekka Darner Gougis, Director of the Illinois State University Noyce Scholarship Program. “Elementary school students love science and math. When they reach middle school, something happens. Either their love is reinforced, or children, especially girls and minority students, begin to dislike these subjects.

“The unfortunate outcome is that many students do not reach their full potential in STEM subjects, leading to fewer students majoring in STEM fields and a shortage of scientists, engineers, and workers trained in technical fields," Gougis added. "This shortage of qualified workers in STEM fields affects our national economy and security,” she added. “Discovery Academy will help maintain and/or reignite a love for science and math so that VVSD students can enthusiastically pursue STEM subjects in high school and be prepared to major in a STEM field in college if they choose to.”

Discovery Scholars will work in small groups that are facilitated by Illinois State University students who are studying to become science or math teachers. Instruction will be led by teachers from Romeoville High School, Joliet Junior College and Illinois State University. All camp staff will have criminal background checks performed prior to hiring.

Discovery Academy is open to VVSD students currently in sixth or seventh grade. The camp runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 12 to June 23 at Bolingbrook High School. Lunch will be provided.

There is no cost to participants thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation.

An online application form is available at www.vvsd.org. More information is available by contacting Gougis at 309-438-3071 or by email at rldarne@ilstu.edu.

“The bottom line is, we want VVSD students to have the option of majoring in a STEM field in college if they want to,” Dr. Gougis said. “But preparation must begin much earlier.”

Submitted by Valley View School District