Department of Science and Mathematics’ Science Institute Receives Two Grants

The Science Institute, an integral part of the Department of Science and Mathematics at Columbia College Chicago, has received two grants that will help fund the institute’s Junior Research Scientists program—an initiative bringing students from Chicago Public Schools to Columbia to work on renewable energy and biology projects. Both grants are renewals from last year.

The first grant, which is from Northeastern Illinois University (NIU), is for $10,000 and will support Upward Bound math and science students over the next year. The grant follows a $7,000 award the institute received from NIU last year.

The second grant is from the After School Matters program and spans three years. The institute was awarded $21,100 in funds for the first year, and similar funding is expected over the next two years. The grant follows last year’s award of nearly $10,000.

Both grants come one year after the Science Institute received a $250,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, which has funded the enhancement and expansion of the institute’s Scientists for Tomorrow program. That initiative teaches young people in Chicago between the ages of ten and fourteen skills related to careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and cultivates positive attitudes toward science and technology information.

“The Junior Research Sciences program aims to inspire Chicago's urban high school students to engage in studying subjects related to molecular biology, alternative energy technologies, and computer animation technologies,” said Constantin Rasinariu, Chair of the Department of Science and Mathematics and Professor of Physics. “Under the direct supervision of faculty and staff of the Department of Science and Mathematics, students gain experience in question-centered, project-based collaborative research that is practiced normally in any scientific research laboratory. Thus, they become better prepared to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.”

As part of the Department of Science and Mathematics, the Science Institute seeks to stimulate interest in STEM subjects through its three programs: Junior Research Scientists, Scientists for Tomorrow, and Scientists for a Day.