Edie Dobrez, executive director of the Homewood Science Center, presented a positive 2024 annual report at the April 8 village board meeting. The center has continued to flourish with its goal of educating young ones through its programs, and has significantly increased student participation, Dobrez said.
The total number of students who participated in 2024 more than doubled from 2023, increasing from 1,859 to 4,791 students, Dobrez said.
The two main programs that the science center offers are field trips during the week, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) on Saturdays, she said.
According to Dobrez, STEM Saturdays had an increase in attendance from 1,822 household members in 2023 to 3,351 members in 2024. They have a diverse attendance in the program, 40.4% African American and 41.3% Caucasian, with 7.3% Hispanic and 9.7% mixed ethnicity, she said.
In an effort to change the negativity and dread surrounding the subject of math, HSC has a Magic Math area.
report to the village board on April 8. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
“We want our young people to be prepared to enter school, and math is key to that,” Dobrez said.
The science center had a total of 29 interns in their middle school internship conservation ecology program in 2024, where they studied cicadas and mushrooms, she said.
The ecology program aims to “teach young people how to manage and preserve biodiversity and natural resources,” Dobrez said.
The center also has a Native Garden, which will be upgraded and improved in partnership with Playful Learning Landscape, a non-profit organization that focuses on playful learning spaces. She said the group will help HSC to coordinate some fun and educational ideas.
Some paid programs that are offered are Grandparents Day on the first Saturday of each month, and STEAM play on the last Friday of each month. Sensory-Friendly STEM Saturday is a free program that is offered on the last Saturday of each month, which gives the children a fun break, Dobrez said.
She reminded the trustees “it takes a village,” to operate HSC, adding, “I want to thank you all, and we’re looking forward to the future.”
The village board also approved the 2024 annual reports from the Appearance Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission.
