
This past semester, Illinois Science Explorers (I-Sci Explorers) continued its mission of making STEM learning accessible, exciting, and impactful for children in the Champaign-Urbana area. Designed to engage K–5 students through hands-on, interactive programming, I-Sci engaged with 1,699 participant visits in 2024, offering opportunities for children to explore science in ways that are approachable and fun.
Hosted at the Martens Center, I-Sci Explorers offered 127 sessions featuring 51 unique modules—34 of them brand new! Developed in collaboration with five University of Illinois centers and institutes, these modules brought cutting-edge research to life for children. Through 119 visits from graduate and undergraduate students as well as 106 visits from faculty and staff, the program fostered a love of science while encouraging a sense of belonging and capability in STEM fields.

Paige Duncan, Community Engagement Specialist, reflected on the program’s impact: “This fall was both exciting and fun. Over a few months, we saw kids’ perspectives shift. Science became something familiar and fun, and more kids started showing interest. It was incredibly rewarding to watch their views on science change as they engaged with it hands-on.”
Paige works closely with Carolyn MacDonald, a psychology graduate student, to incorporate social and behavioral science principles into I-Sci programming. By supporting children’s autonomy, fostering belonging, and promoting growth mindsets, the program aims to inspire the next generation of scientists while making STEM accessible to diverse audiences.
This semester, in addition to after-school sessions, I-Sci Explorers will host Family STEM Nights at the Martens Center, in collaboration with the Champaign Park District. These events will feature a variety of science topics, hosted by the diverse groups that make up I-Sci and provide families with tools to spark ongoing conversations about science at home.
The first session on January 28 will take a broad approach, offering a taste of each STEM discipline with dedicated stations for science, technology, engineering, and math. The following sessions are scheduled for February 25, March 25, and April 22.
The I-Sci Explorers team is excited to build on its successes by creating even more opportunities for children to connect with STEM. Paige emphasized the importance of collaboration, inviting more faculty members to consider joining the program. “The more researchers we have participating, the more diverse and exciting science topics we can introduce to kids, broadening their exposure to the vast world of STEM. Each researcher brings unique expertise, allowing us to connect kids with areas of science that resonate with their interests.”
Want to learn more or get involved? Check out our flyer to see how you can support this innovative program. Together, we can inspire curiosity and foster a lifelong love of science in our community!
You can also follow I-Sci Explorers on Instagram!