Campaign for 2020
2020 is not just an election year but a year that we are "electing" to focus our efforts in reaching 2020 underserved children and youth all around Long Island and beyond. These are communities that otherwise would not have access to our programming.
Join us and help us raise $150,000 in support of the Explorium's Campaign for 2020.
Diversity
Girls in STEM
Access to strong STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education is not equitable across the socio-economic spectrum. The statistics are striking with only 45% of Latinos and 46% of Blacks scoring at the “basic” level or better on standardized math tests. 44% of low-income students reach this basic level, while a full 77% of average-income students do.
Research shows that schools with large numbers of racial and ethnic minorities, low-income students and English Language Learners are systematically under served with fewer well-trained teachers and far less access to academic basics ranging from pencils to computers.
Funds raised will allow us to provide high quality STEM programming, resources and tools in these communities as well as invest in the teachers’ professional development so that teachers will be able to independently utilize these tools in their classrooms throughout the school year in all areas of STEM education. These teachers will be better able to help promote their students’ career and college readiness.
Studies show a tight link between confidence and girls’ performance in the areas of science and math. Data show that girls around the world, and certainly in the US, lag behind boys in math and science, but it’s not due to aptitude. According to the OECD researchers, “Aptitude knows no gender.” Alas, confidence does. “The strong relationship among self-beliefs, gender and performance in mathematics and science hints that countries may be unable to develop a sufficient number of individuals with strong mathematics and science skills because of girls’ lack of confidence in their abilities.”
The result is that only 12% of women, in contrast to 39% of men, choose to major in a science field. This lack of women in science and engineering affects our economy due to lack of skilled candidates for the S.T.E.M. workforce.
Funds raised will help us reach underserved girls and provide opportunities for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will lead to improved self-esteem, leadership, and confidence to pursue future studies and careers in STEM fields. Our STEM programs empower girls by enhancing self-perceptions of abilities in the areas of STEM.
To support our cause, please contact Angeline Judex, Executive Director at 631-431-1192 or via email at ajudex@longislandexplorium.org. The Long Island Explorium is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, tax ID 06-1732721. Checks can be mailed to P.O Box 465, Port Jefferson, NY 11777.