Every semester, we look forward to watching students’ presentations about working with K-5 students in after-school science clubs. This is part of Service with Youth in STEM (INTEGSCI 240), a community-based learning course where students learn about community partnerships and get hands-on experience leading STEM activities for kids. In spring semester of 2026, eleven students served at ten schools and community centers around Madison.
Students shared about the kids’ favorite activities—programmable robots, rocket designing, and “drops on a penny” were favorites—and meaningful moments, like getting inspired by the recent Artemis space mission. The presenters also reflected on their own growth and learning, whether that’s better understanding the importance of context in teaching or trying out unique ways to engage students of different ages.
The presentations are open to the public—in the audience are often representatives from the schools and communities centers as well as Kiwanis Club of Downtown Madison, which generously contributes funding to the program through the Lyle H. Hill trust.
Most students find this class to be a meaningful and impactful experience—and when they share moments of connection with the kids, it’s easy to see why. For example, Nicholas Shashko shared that after an experiment called “Building a Rainbow,” a student said, “I am going to ask my parents for a lab kit for my birthday so I can do this experiment at home.”
It’s inspiring to all of us to hear about the impacts of these community partnerships on everyone involved! Learn more about the course.
