Museum of Science, Boston Distributes Free STEM Activity Kits to Students Across School District of Philadelphia

Partnership with Generous Support from Dell Technologies Aims to Inspire STEM Learning Over Summer Break

BOSTON, MA – The Museum of Science, Boston’s STEM curricula program, EiE®, is giving 1,500 Try It! Kits and engineering storybooks to students in The School District of Philadelphia (SDOP), Pennsylvania ahead of summer vacation. Funded by and with generous support from Dell Technologies, students will take home the award-winning, hands-on science and engineering kits to encourage STEM learning outside of the classroom. The Try It! Kits are designed for learners in kindergarten through fifth grade and offer students the opportunity to think like engineers to solve real-world challenges at home.

“Students learn science and engineering by doing the things scientists and engineers do,” said KD Davenport, director of science of SDP. “Especially this year when students have experienced most or all of the school year virtually, giving both our hybrid and virtual students access to these hands-on engineering kits has been a wonderful way to give kids some of that experience of doing that they've missed. Our principals jumped at the chance for these resources--there is a real desire at the school level to deepen students' experience around STEM.”

“I am forever grateful as the excitement the “Engineering Is Elementary” Try It! kits create in the classroom is energizing. The hands-on activities engage students in a way that they will not only learn new strategies, but they will remember them and apply them to real world situations,” said Lisa Foley, science teacher at Kennedy C. Crossan Academics Plus Elementary School. “Without the support of Dell, my students may not have had this opportunity as funding for science instruction is not readily available. I’m looking forward to sending my students home for the summer with these kits to learn core STEM skills and empower each of them with amazing resources.”

EiE and the School District of Philadelphia chose four Try It! Kits that feature activities and accompanying storybooks for electrical, sustainable, agricultural, and marine engineering. Each Try It! Kits includes a mini-design challenge, activity materials, and instructions in English and Spanish with the goal of building STEM literacy and engaging learners with real-life problems.

“Dell Technologies has been truly an amazing supporter of our EiE curriculum,” said Tim Ritchie, president of the Museum of Science. “Now more than ever, providing equal access to STEM learning is key to helping bridge the educational gap that has only widened as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are thrilled that the School District of Philadelphia will be able to inspire students to continue on their STEM journey throughout the summer, into the new school year, and beyond.”

With the company’s secondary headquarters in the Boston area, Dell Technologies have been a dedicated partner of the Museum of Science since 1997, in line with their commitment to develop and support STEM learning initiatives that break down barriers so that everyone can participate in the digital economy. Dell has also supported the development of new EiE resources, including the new curriculum, and has helped the Museum of Science bring EiE to over 80 thousand students. Along with the School District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dell and the Museum of Science have distributed EiE STEM learning materials to school districts in Atlanta, Georgia; Worcester, Massachusetts; Davis, Utah; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Wake County, North Carolina; Kent, Washington; Chicago, Illinois; Hutto, Texas; and San Carlos, Rio, and Hueneme, California.

“There is nothing better than inspiring young people with access to opportunities to develop skills for the future,” said Jessica Anderson, director of strategic giving at Dell Technologies. “It’s been a challenging year for education, and we are proud to lend our support to the School District of Philadelphia as they work to provide these valuable STEM learning resources to the students in their community.”

The Try-It Kits will be delivered to students as they complete this school year and prepare for summer break. Families interested in learning more about EiE and Try It! Kits can visit eie.org.