scienceFIST
the scienceFIST foundation is dedicated to bringing at risk students into the world of science thorough after school STEM mentoring programs. scienceFIST strives to improve the lives of at risk students by focusing on personal connections, inquiry based activities, self esteem and team building sessions that allow students to recognize their strengths and how they connect with STEM education.
About You
About You
First Name
Marc
Last Name
Hans
About Your Organization
Organization Name
the scienceFIST foundation
Organization Website
Organization Phone
773-599-1733
Organization Address
6614 N Central Ave
Organization Country
United States, IL, Cook County
Country where this project is creating social impact
United States
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
How long has your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
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Innovation
Entry Form title
scienceFIST
What change do you want to bring to the world?
the scienceFIST foundation is dedicated to bringing at risk students into the world of science thorough after school STEM mentoring programs. scienceFIST strives to improve the lives of at risk students by focusing on personal connections, inquiry based activities, self esteem and team building sessions that allow students to recognize their strengths and how they connect with STEM education.
What are the primary activities of your project?
Our primary activities are after school programs located in struggling neighborhoods in Chicago. These biweekly sessions pair students with science mentors (teachers, scientists, doctors etc..). The students will work alongside these mentors to develop academically, socially and holistically.
What is innovative about your initiative? How is it a new contribution to the field?
the sciecneFIST in innovative because we focus on the students that are traditionally thought be troublemakers. We harness their energy and natural problem solving skills to see the natural connection to STEM.
What stage is your project in?
Operating for less than a year
Tell us about the community that you engage? eg. economic conditions, political structures, norms and values, demographic trends, history, and experience with engagement efforts.
We focus on low socio economic neighborhoods who are traditionally underserved with regard to STEM education. We engage students that are at risk academically, socially, medically and financially.
Share the story of the founder and what inspired the founder to start this project
Our founder Marc Hans is an award winning Chicago Public School teacher who spent most of his educational career in detention, the hallway or principal's office. He is the recipient of 2001 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in teaching, 2009 Chicago Public School DRIVE Award winner, holds a M.S. in Science Education from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Marc realized that his energy and off beat thinking was a challenge for many of his teachers and set out to insure that students of all abilities and backgrounds would never have to feel shunned for their individuality. Marc began his teaching career in 2001 and has had great success in the schools and communities in Chicago.
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please describe how your project has been successful and how that success is measured
We have seen the scienceFIST kids grow to love science and the opportunities it can provide. The foundation has grown many strategic partnerships with schools, communities and other organizations. Here are some of our testimonials:
“I would like to thank Mr. Marc Hans for developing the love of science in our students. Since Marc introduced our students to scienceFIST, we have seen a great deal of enthusiasm and energy in our students, parents and staff members towards science. Our students are eager to participate in our after-school science club as well as activities offered through Science Olympiad. These experiences will help our students achieve new levels of science discovery and physical achievement.” - Esmeralda Roman, Administrator Chicago Public Schools
"scienceFIST is the one place where I have been able to grow in knowledge, creativity and
friendship. When I first came to this school I didn't know anyone. Then I got into scienceFIST and I made a lot of friends spreading from scienceFSIT to classes...This is the best thing my parents have ever given me. For me scienceFIST could be a birthday gift!" - Victor M, scienceFIST kid
How many people have been impacted by your project?
Fewer than 100
How many people could be impacted by your project in the next three years?
101- 1,000
How will your project evolve over the next three years?
With funding and support we can grow our network to more schools which will impact more students, teachers and communities. We will also be able to create our own curriculum and become a self sustained foundation.
Sustainability
What barriers might hinder the success of your project and how do you plan to overcome them?
Possible barriers might include change in administration at the local school level. We plan to overcome this by creating long term relationships not just with school administrators but teachers, community leaders and local organizations.
Tell us about your partnerships
We have partnered with many local and national organizations to help grow our network, learn from other in the field and best serve our students and communities:
The Museum of Science and Industry www.msichicago.org
Chicago Public Schools www.cps.edu
Project Exploration - www.projectexploration.org
Science Olympiad - http://soinc.org/
America Scores - www.americascores.org
Loyola University
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Golden Apple Foundation - www.goldenapple.org
The Coalition for Science After School - http://afterschoolscience.org/
Current annual budget of project, in US dollars
$50,001‐100,000
Explain your selections
We have raised our capital with small local fundraising events, some private family trusts and sales of our t shirts and apparel.
How do you plan to strengthen your project in the next three years?
We plan to strengthen our project by strategically utilizing funds and human capital to grow our foundation infrastructure and capacity. We plan to organize our outreach campaign and grow in size to best serve more students, communities and teachers.
Partnerships and Accountability
Please tell us more about how your partnership was formed and how it functions. What specific role does each partner play? What unique resources does each partner bring to the initiative?
All of our partnerships are organic in nature despite the large size of our partners. For example the Museum of Science and Industry is one the nation's largest and most innovative informal science sites however we have secured spots within their teacher training programs and community outreach programs. Loyola University has offered their director of Non for Profit Management degree to help us grow our foundation infrastructure. The Chicago Public Schools Office of Teaching and Learning offers after school STEM but has not been able to fill their capacity. We have been able to leverage our network to help fill those positions.
How are you building in accountability for students' successful STEM learning outcomes? Please provide a summary and examples.
We are insuring accountably by providing a wide range of STEM content and opportunities which assess learning through a multitude of activities (longitudinal data, STEM competitions and site surveys and questioners)
Needs
Investment, Human Resources/Talent, Pro-bono help (legal, financial, etc.).
Please use this space to elaborate on your selection above and/or to add needs that may not be listed.
We are new organization and as such our needs are financial in nature that will help us grow our organizational infrastructure. Our human capital needs are in regard to our recruitment of part time in a variety of areas ranging from after school site directors, media outreach, legal, financial, and local talent that can help us grow.
Offers
Marketing/Media, Collaboration/Networking, Mentorship.
Please use this space to elaborate on your selection above and/or to add offers that may not be listed.
We strive to help other organizations and missions grow. We can leverage our online and social media network to help others as well as help others learn from our brief history and success. Connecting people and organizations is something we are very passionate about.
