The Kaneland School Board recently authorized the school district’s administration to apply to become a partner in an Illinois Math and Science Academy after-school enrichment program.
Co-Curriculum directors Sarah Mumm and Mike Purcell recently recommended the district prepare an application to participate in IMSA Fusion, a hands-on math and science program offered through the Aurora-based academy.
The recommendation was made as part of a recent presentation on curriculum updates and program proposals for the upcoming school year.
IMSA Fusion is a teacher professional development and student STEM enrichment program for students who are “talented, interested and motivated in mathematics and science,” according to the academy’s website.
IMSA says the program places “a special emphasis on students who are historically underrepresented in those areas.” It says the program’s dual focus is to maintain or increase student interest, involvement and literacy in science and enhance the knowledge and skills of teachers in STEM initiatives.
The lessons use topics that students can relate to in their everyday lives to pique their curiosity and motivate them to learn more in math and science, IMSA officials said. District teachers are trained and then deliver the curriculum in their schools.
While the program is geared for students in grades four to eight, Kaneland officials recommended initially offering the program as an option for students in grades four and five.
Kaneland School Board President Cheryl Krauspe and School Board member Gale Pavlak said they would prefer the program be offered to a wider range of students.
“I would not want to see some students excluded,” Krauspe said.
Interim Superintendent Renee Goier suggested the School Board continue the dialogue after the district finds out whether the application to IMSA is approved.
“If accepted, we can come back with options. The big step is to get approved,” Goier said.
The after-school enrichment program would cost the district an estimated $5,000 for curricular materials and lab kits at two elementary schools, plus another $4,000 for teacher training, planning and instruction provided by two staff members.
Rotolo Middle School in Batavia has offered the IMSA Infusion after-school program for students in grades four and five since 2010. West Aurora District 129 began partnering in the IMSA Fusion program for grades four and five in 2008 and now offers the program at Fearn, Greenman and Hall elementary schools and Herget, Jefferson, Jewel and Washington middle schools.
East Aurora District 131 began offering the after-school enrichment program for grades six to eight in 2006 and it is now offered at Cowherd, Simmons and Waldo middle schools, as well as the Fred Rogers Magnet Academy.
Yorkville Middle School has offered the IMSA program for sixth- to eighth-graders since 2002 and St. Raphael Catholic School in Naperville began offering the program for sixth- to eighth-graders in 2009.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter
