Framingham State Offers Free Science Learning To Local Students

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Kindergarten through 12th grade students across Massachusetts are at home until at least May 4 due to coronavirus, and although school districts can provide a few hours worth of learning materials per day, districts cannot hold regular classes remotely.

Framingham State University is stepping up to help students keep their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills sharp. Staff at the school's Christa McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning have curated materials that local K-12 students can access online.

The McAuliffe Center's website offers a one-stop shop for parents and students in need of STEM resources.

"We’ve heard from people who have felt a little overwhelmed with everything that is being offered out there," McAuliffe Director Dr. Irene Porro said in a news release. "What we’ve tried to do is put the materials in one place, and present it in a way that is really easy to browse and digest."

The learning resources span all age groups and include items like daily images from the International Space Station, and the DIY Universe, which shows students how to create science exhibits.

The Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Center, named for the astronaut and teacher who died in the 1986 Challenger disaster, is usually a destination for local schools during normal times. Thousands of students each year visit the Framingham State University Planetarium and the Challenger Learning Center.