We Care About the Future of Science Education in Urban Schools
We’re a team of teachers, youth development professionals, and scientists committed to improving STEM education.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
- All students must have access to high quality summer learning. Research shows summer is an important time to extend and build on knowledge and skills learned during the academic year.
- Teachers, too, need access to longer-term, quality professional development and support. Summer is a great time to build on existing skills and learn new ones.
- Science in Society uses a listen first, act second approach. We partner with local communities and schools to address their needs.
OUR TEAM
Patty Whitehouse
Engineering Teacher, Chicago Public Schools
Patty’s passion for science began when she was a child hiking in Michigan and looking for fossils in Ohio limestone quarries. She has brought her enthusiasm for science to the field of education for over 25 years. She currently teaches science and engineering to 1st- through 4th-grade students at Goudy Technology Academy in Chicago. She believes in tapping into children’s natural curiosity through hands-on creative learning. She is the author of several books introducing science and engineering to elementary school readers. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, watching eagles and finding fossils.
Maranda Don
Associate Director, Science in Society
Maranda started her career teaching middle school science in Los Angeles’ Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC) Charter School Network. Her recent positions include Manager of Teacher Leadership Development with Teach for America, Assistant Principal at Camino Nuevo Charter Academy in Los Angeles, and K-8 Science Director in Niles, IL. She has two Master of Education degrees, one in School Leadership & Administration and a second in Urban Education and Educational Policy, both from Loyola Marymount University. Maranda is a rabid Chicago Bears fan.
Michael Kennedy, PhD
Research Professor and Director, Science in Society
Mike believes deeply in the magic of mentorship. He is founding director of the Science in Society research center at Northwestern – dedicated to developing world-class STEM learning opportunities for Chicago’s teachers and underserved youth. His undergraduate education was at St. John’s University in Minnesota (go Johnnies!) and his PhD is from the Mayo Clinic. In his spare time he coaches travel hockey, fishes, and enjoys the outdoors with his wife and three children.
Fernando Lopez
Club Director, True Value Boys & Girls Club
Fernando Lopez has worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago since 2003, implementing and supporting enriching youth development programs. Fernando is currently the Club Director at the True Value Boys & Girls Club in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. His excitement for science projects reignited when he watched an 11-year-old club member extract DNA from a strawberry as part of Northwestern’s Jr. Science Club! In his spare time, Fernando coaches youth baseball and loves to spend time with his family and BBQ!
George Colone
Club Director, Pedersen-McCormick Boys & Girls Club
George has been a leader in youth development for more than 25 years. For the last 16 of these years he has been Program Director at Pedersen-McCormick Club in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. George and his team members co-designed the Science Club afterschool mentorship program and, more recently, Science Club Summer Camp. Pedersen-McCormick Club and Science and Society have been close partners for the last 14 years.
David Leef
Program Director, Pedersen-McCormick Boys & Girls Club
David has worked in youth development for more than a decade. In addition to being a passionate mentor and dance coach, his work in theater and performing arts has been regionally lauded. If you catch David away from the Boys & Girls Club or dance studio, he is probably gardening.
OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Science Club Summer Camp is an educational research study funded by the National Institutes of Health, Office of the Director (#5R25GM129223)