Rolling Meadows school one of 25 in state to receive STEM program

Kimball Hill Elementary School in Rolling Meadows is one of 25 grade schools in the state to receive a three-year Bicentennial STEM Fusion Program, the Illinois Math and Science Academy's renowned teacher development training initiative for math and science, Gov. Bruce Rauner announced Tuesday.

IMSA Fusion is a teacher professional development and student STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) enrichment program for Illinois students who are talented, interested and motivated, but underrepresented in mathematics, science, and technology. The program focuses on teachers and students in grades 4-8 and hopes to stimulate STEM careers.

"STEM Fusion from IMSA represents a unique asset that Illinois is applying to help encourage children set out on a path to the 21st century workforce," Rauner said in an announcement Tuesday.

More than 100 schools applied for the three-year programs. The 25 schools selected serve predominantly underserved populations who demonstrated a commitment to embedding IMSA Fusion into their curriculum and presented a sustainability plan to carry the program forward after the three-year award period expires. Seventy other qualifying schools will receive a one-year curriculum.