Illinois Science Explorers

About Illinois Science Explorers

The mission of the Illinois Science Explorers (I-Sci Explorers) program is to provide sustained science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) extracurricular programming to children in the Champaign-Urbana area who would not otherwise have access to STEM enrichment. I-Sci Explorers work with researchers to transform research ideas and findings into educational activities, materials, and curriculum for children. Using cutting-edge social and behavioral science principles, our approach is designed to allow children from diverse backgrounds to connect with and feel capable in multiple STEM areas, building a strong foundation for future learning and accomplishment. 

I-Sci Explorers is part of the Campus Community Compact established by the Illinois Chancellor’s Office of Public Engagement to accelerate social justice in the Champaign-Urbana area. As part of this initiative, I-Sci works closely with the Champaign Park District’s Martens Center, a new state-of-the-art facility in North Champaign. The large majority of I-Sci Explorers programming is provided to children who attend an afterschool program at the Martens Center and serves children in kindergarten through fifth grade. 

I-Sci Explorers is able to provide a breadth of STEM programming through collaboration with diverse interdisciplinary research institutes at the University of Illinois. Collaborators include:

• Beckman Institute
• Cancer Center at Illinois
• Center for Social and Behavioral Science
• Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment
• National Center for Supercomputing Applications