Access to high-quality education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is crucial for allowing children the opportunity to flourish in the 21st Century. Students who complete grade school without it face an uphill battle with college admission, career opportunities and breaking the cycle of poverty.
Florida Atlantic’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute introduced its MobileMinds program to help close the Title I STEM gap in Palm Beach County schools by taking science and professional scientists directly to the middle and high schools that are falling behind in this area. A $400,000 gift from the Sharron and Joseph Ashby Hubert Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward included funding to expand MobileMinds south with a brand-new van and additional resources to reach more students than ever before.
"We are thrilled to reach a new community, providing STEM opportunities to underserved students and promoting science literacy," said Nicole Baganz, Ph.D., director of the Advancing STEM-community Engagement Through Neuroscience Discovery (ASCEND) program at the Brain Institute, which runs the MobileMinds initiative. "As the second most populous county in Florida and home to 198 Title I schools, Broward County is crucial to our mission. The Community Foundation of Broward’s support makes this possible."
The Broward program will provide the same wide range of activities and opportunities as are currently available, including brain dissections, neurosciencethemed crafts and educational games.
Though the new van didn’t hit the streets until late 2024, the ASCEND team began providing services to three Broward County schools during the Fall semester.
Kylie Kealoha, a student in Florida Atlantic’s Integrative Biology-Neuroscience graduate program, was tapped to become the new Broward County program coordinator. Kealoha has worked as a volunteer for MobileMinds since 2022.
"With our presence in Broward, we will be better able to recruit students on FAU’s Boca Raton campus," Baganz said. "While Kylie will be supported by our existing
team, her presence on the southern campus will also be key to expanding our support network and our community outreach and partnership development in the county."
MobileMinds offers students a unique window into real science at work and the importance of honing curiosity to explore questions that could lead to life-changing discoveries. By interacting directly with neuroscientists and their trainees, children can dispel some of their fears of science and math and learn that careers in these fields are attainable.
To sustain and grow this important program, more funding is needed. Gifts from businesses, foundations and philanthropic organizations could help:
- Support scientist trainee volunteers by covering the costs of their time and travel to events and schools
- Purchase essential supplies and equipment
- Cover operational costs, including gas and maintenance of the van
"Our vision extends beyond Broward County," Baganz said. "As we look to grow our impact, we’re seeking opportunities to expand into Miami/Dade County. Support for additional resources and program personnel will be essential."