Edie Dobrez, Homewood Science Center’s executive director, said thousands of families and students visited HSC in 2025. She presented her annual update to the Homewood Village Board at the April 28 meeting on the center and its continuing success.
The science center has officially been operating for 10 years now since its debut in 2016, Dobrez said.
“The Homewood Science Center exists because this village believed in it,” Dobrez said.
Its ongoing mission is to provide an opportunity to children of all backgrounds to learn and engage in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), and “to inspire scientific wonder, learning and pursuit,” Dobrez said in the report.
In 2025, 3,979 family members attended the STEM Saturdays at no charge, with nearly half of registered participants returning three or more times, she said.
According to Dobrez, the field trips held by the center hosted 5,422 students across 27 school districts and 70 organizations. Of those students, 68% came from low income households and 84% were minorities.
The center also hosted summer camps, with 114 student attendees ranging from ages 5 to 14 across 9 different camps, she said.
The programs inspire girls to engage in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), with 54.8% of participants saying they see themselves pursuing a STEAM career in the future, and 81% say it helped them develop new education and career interests overall, Dobrez said.
“The numbers describe what we do, but they do not tell you how we do it,” Dobrez said.
Dobrez thanked her team, who handle the creation of STEM activities, fundraisers, market events and more, she said.
Dobrez also attributed credit to Homewood Trustee Jay Heiferman, who serves as a member on the center’s board.
“Ten years ago, we had no idea what it was going to be. It is a living being with the support of the village,” Heiferman said, adding, “it’s amazing what it’s become and it’s exciting to see what it’s going to be in the future.”
“My kids love going there,” Homewood Trustee Lauren Roman said, adding, “it is such a gem in our community.”
“Your leadership makes it possible, so thank you for what you do,” Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld said.
