Grand Rapids — When Innovation Central High School students stepped into their school’s newly renovated STEM Greenhouse classrooms, they were transported into learning spaces inspired by Wakandan laboratories from Marvel’s “Black Panther” movies.
Keli Christopher, STEM Greenhouse founder and CEO, said the artwork on the walls of the computer lab, science lab and innovative programming center were designed by local Black artists to empower young students of color to see themselves as scientists, mathematicians and engineers.
“The space celebrates their rich culture and heritage, offering students a vivid reminder that they belong in the world of STEM,” the GRPS alum said. “Every student who walks through these doors will know they can have a future in STEM, and a village of support.”
The high school’s redesigned rooms were unveiled to staff and students at STEM Greenhouse’s 10th anniversary open house on Nov. 7, to celebrate the new, collaborative partnership between STEM Greenhouse and Grand Rapids Public Schools.
Now permanently housed at Innovation Central, the STEM Scholars 2.0 program is part of the first partnership between GRPS and a Black-founded nonprofit resulting in a dedicated educational space.
“It’s more than just a milestone for STEM Greenhouse and GRPS,” Christopher said. “This achievement underscores the critical importance of representation and inclusivity in education.”
Innovation Central Principal Derrick Martin said the new partnership is an amazing opportunity to enhance students’ science, mathematics and career readiness skills.
“The renovated classrooms give us up-to-date spaces with the technology and resources we need to polish these programs,” he said. “This is the starting point where we can offer (a) more rigorous curriculum and start to train our students in the STEM fields.”
‘It’s more than just a milestone. … This achievement underscores the critical importance of representation and inclusivity in education.’
— Keli Christopher, STEM Greenhouse founder & CEO
Seeing Themselves in STEM
Since 2014, STEM Greenhouse has offered after-school and summer programming to provide Grand Rapids area students with access to mentors who look like them, and to encourage their proficiency in math and science.
Innovation Central junior Syriana Hodges said having STEM Greenhouse programming in her school is an opportunity that most people don’t have access to, and she appreciates that it’s free.
“You never feel out of place here,” she said.
Added junior Yanelvis Rodriguez: “People from different backgrounds and experiences don’t see many programs like this, and as a young black woman I can learn math and science and prepare for future careers.”
10 Years of STEM Greenhouse
STEM Greenhouse, a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit, offers a middle-school program on applied agricultural science; a summer program for high-school students at a local university; and Kids Count, a math focused program for third- through fifth-graders. STEM Scholars is also offered at Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy, Alger Middle and Southwest Community Campus.
Both students also participated in Sankofa STEM Academy, STEM Greenhouse’s five-week summer program for fifth- through eleventh-grade students. That program features speakers, hands-on experiential learning and field trips around the Grand Rapids area and beyond.
“Sankofa is a word and symbol that emphasizes the importance of looking back to our ancestors for the knowledge to guide future generations,” Christopher wrote in the program’s brochure.
Junior Sadio Apdi said going on college tours with her fellow Sankofa participants made her feel more informed about her options for her senior year.
Added Principal Martin: “A lot of these fields are underrepresented when it comes to people of color. Here, in an inner-city urban high school, it’s important to offer these programs for them to be able to see themselves in STEM careers.”
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