Growing STEM knowledge
Optimism. Imagination. Creativity.
You may expect students doing hands-on science and engineering experiments to display these traits, especially when they get to don lab coats and learn from real scientists.
But these aren’t ordinary students, and this isn’t an ordinary classroom. The students are also pediatric patients, and they wear masks to help protect their immune systems. Just outside the classroom is the bustling corridor of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, where they are undergoing treatment for serious illnesses.
Still, these young patients are fully engaged with the lesson, taking advantage of a chance to spend an afternoon learning, exploring and just being regular kids.
These students are part of AbbVie Foundation’s SEEK (Science, Engineering, Exploration, Knowledge) program, which introduces children ages 5-14 to science and engineering with the goal of filling the gap in STEM education.