Einstein Project, Inc.

Are there volunteer's fro this program? If so what kinds of things do they do to help you guys out?

We began our relationship with the Einstein Project four years ago when they approached us to fund their Wheels in Motion project. We did that over a period of three years and were impressed with the professionalism of their operation, staff and board of directors. They provide excellent hands-on curriculum in the schools; programs that might not otherwise be available. We are a major sponsor of their annual Butterflies and Friends Auction which draws a large number of area supporters and is a very successful event that the community always looks forward to. Part of that success is the fact that they make the auction pieces available to the community for viewing. It is great exposure for them and the artists and gives the opportunity for citizens in the community to view the fine pieces of art.

The Einsten Project, Inc puts on a yearly Science Expo for kids, the goal of the Expo is to give local businesses an opportunity to give back to the community by creating hands-on, fun activities about thier businesses for kids. Last year in our company's booth, we made solar-bead bracelets and had an electrical safety demonstration. In other booths kids were making Silly Puddy, Rockets, Paper and learning how to make simple machines. There were also a variety of animals, reptiles and birds for the kids to get a closer look at and to learn about. Overall, the Science Expo is a great family event! It provides an educational & fun experience for everyone! The Einstein Project, Inc is an excellent organization who has demonstrated thier desire to give back to Green Bay and make it a great place to live.

They were so very excited to see results and understand the reasons behind everyday things, like where butterflies come from, the moon, magnets, weight, floating. With Einstein Project kits in the classroom, teachers have the resources to be "hands on" in science, rather than lecturing. It is tailored to the way kids think and learn.

Making science fun and exciting, plus easy to understand, is so important in keeping students involved and learning. And as the students learn more, they develop into young adults with the critical thinking skills necessary to allow our economy and technical/scientific programs to grow. The Einstein Project does a wonderful job of sparking that desire to learn with their hands-on science kits, teacher training, and more. When I first heard about Einstein's work, I was quite enthusiastic about what they were doing. Many years later, and with time spent helping by serving as a volunteer on the board, I am still impressed with what Einstein does and the positive effect it as on students.

I have been lucky enough to be associated with The Einstein Project as a board member for the past 3 years. My employer, Festival Foods, has supported The Einstein Project’s Mission of partnering with schools and communities to provide leadership and support for science education in Wisconsin. As a student many years ago I struggled mightily with science. I found science to be quite boring while trying to learn from a text book. I assumed science just wasn’t for me. But the more I got involved I realized that the Project uses the philosophy of “hands on learning” to get young minds involved and engaged in the classroom. The Einstein Project realizes that as the environment becomes more endangered and as the technology becomes more complex, there is an increasing need for young people to become more knowledgeable in science, technology and mathematics. I only wish I had the chance to experience The Einstein Project as a kid and that helps fuel my fire to be involved with this great organization.

When I joined the Einstein Project as a Board Member 4 years ago, I was already familiar with the work they do through my daughter-in-law, an elementary school teacher. She had been using the science kits in her classroom and loved them! She was very enthusiastic about the training and support she received as well as the positive results she saw in the classroom from her students. Once I was able to see "behind the scenes", I was amazed at what they accomplished with such a limited but dedicated staff. Despite the financial challenges and time restraints, the Einstein Project constantly strives to improve hands-on science for both the educators and the students. This is evident through training for educators, website information and reference links, updating and adding of kits. All of this is possible only through strong community support which the staff and Board have carefully nurtured throughout the years. As I have worked with volunteers at our fundraising events, it has been wonderful to see the commitment of so many people to help keep this program fiscally sound. They recognize the importance of the hands-on science education that the Einstein Project brings to so many students.

It has been my privilege to be associated with The Einstein Project for more than 10 years. As a former classroom teacher, I benefitted from utilzing a research and inquiry-based, hands-on Einstein Project unit to teach physical science concepts to my students in the sixth grade. My students had fun learning and doing science because of The Einstein Project! I went on to become a trainer of one of the units and witnessed first-hand, the difference The Einstein Project has made in providing high quality materials and training to hundreds of teachers in our area. As a member of the Einstein Project's Board of Directors for the past ten years, I have also had the opportunity to see a strong community and school partnership in service to our community. This organization is not only a leader in science education in our region, it is also an exceptional model for an organization which has effectively established partnerships and shown true engagement in our community!

I met the Einstein Project in the early 1990's when our school district was searching for a new science program. This was a perfect match for me as a classroom teacher. I did not have a good science background. The Einstein Project provided this with teacher training. The units are hands-on and teacher friendly. My students and I love the units! As time went on I became a teacher trainer for 3 of the units. Three times each year the Project provides training for classroom teacher who are new to the units. I am also a member of the Einstein Board of Directors and the chairperson of the Education Committee. The Einstein Project provides me, the classroom teacher, with the additional science backgroud that as an elementary teacher I did not have. It also provides me with additional teaching strategies, curriculum extensions, technology, and much more. This is the best way to teach elementary science. The students comprehend science concepts of much higher levels by doing hands-on, not just reading from a textbook.

Festival Foods partners with The Einstein Project each year for the Grocers on the Green Golf Outing. The event raises funds through event sponsorship, which in turn are donated to The Einstein Project. Through all phases of the planning and event execution the Einstein associates and volunteers were great to work alongside. The event was a huge success agian this year and there is no one more deserving of this donation than The Einstein Project.

Eight years ago I was asked to meet with The Einstein Project to evaluate whether my company should or could partner with their organization. Going into the meeting, I was not optimistic about the possibilities. After that meeting and a few more, I was really able to see where the organization had come from, what it was currently doing and the vision they had. I was so impressed that we took on the Title Sponsor role of their largest fundraiser. It has been seven years of sponsorship and both the organization and our relationship have continued to grow. The impact that this organization has had on the youth that go through its program is phenomenal. Research has shown that the interest and knowledge of students in science has gone up dramatically, but equally as impressive scores in other areas of school improved significantly as well. The Einstein Project is a truly unique organization that is doing tremendous things in our communities!

15 years ago I was approached to join the Einstein Board of Directors. I work for an Engineering and Sciences Consulting Company and felt it was a good way for me to bring the business aspects of the engineering career to this Educational organization. IT is so rewarding for me to see the interest in the grade school and middle school kids using these science learning kits that I am still an active participant on Einstein's Board of Dir. I would have loved to learn science by using these interactive kits instead of reading text books and taking the occasional field tour. Hands on learning has proven to be the best learning technique and I am proud to say that in a small way I am contirbuting to this learning style for several thousand students in Wisconsin.

The Einstein Project is a nonprofit organization partnering with schools and communities to provide leadership and support for science education in Wisconsin. The Project offers 41 inquiry-based science units, developed by the Smithsonian Institution and National Academy of Sciences, to schools giving children the opportunity to learn by doing. The units allow schools to provide an exemplary hands-on science curriculum for students. The eight to twelve week units contain enough materials for an entire class and are leased to schools for a modest fee. My daughter loved the 2nd grade unit 'The Life Cycle of Butterflies'. It opened her eyes and curiosity to nature and the world around her. I would highly recommend Einstein sciene for schools.