Specialties
These three things are what we do best at Wow Science:
1. Promote children's interest in science. A critically acclaimed Bayer-sponsored study added to evidence that children can develop a lifelong interest in science at a very young age (Jemison, Mae C. 2010). Wow Science presents science in a manner that piques and nurtures children's interest. An important element of our program is to demystify complex science topics. We engage students in fun creative projects and experiments. As they watch their efforts come to life and are "wowed" by their accomplishments, we begin to teach the science behind their achievement. This approach has been proven extremely effective in sustaining interest in science.
2. Reinforce classroom learning. A meta-analysis of 39 studies concluded that summer learning loss equaled at least one month of instruction during a regular school year (Cooper, H. et al. 1996). This loss is particularly pronounced in math, science, and other subjects that involve the acquisition of "factual and procedural knowledge". Our program is designed to reinforce classroom learning and promote retention through fun, hands-on science projects, math lessons and simulations, and educational games.
3. Expose children to career options in science. This part of our program is designed to help campers understand that the astronauts, chemists, engineers, and other STEM professionals they know and hear about were once normal, unassuming children.
History
Established in 2010.
Fola Adebi, founder and executive director of Wow Science, had volunteered lots of time from her college days through the nine years she worked as a chemist to teach children in after-school programs. Her appreciation of the challenges students faced caused her to return to school to enhance her effectiveness in advancing their interest in science. She earned a master's degree in technology management from Stevens Institute of Technology in 2001.
In 2002, Adebi resigned her position as Chemist at Pfizer (formally Wyeth Pharmaceuticals) to pursue fulltime her passion of helping young learners embrace science. Adebi's concern for students' fear of math and science, poor performance in those subjects, poor test scores compared to peers in similarly situated countries, stagnant college enrollment in STEM, and the resultant shortage of professionals in these fields led her to found Wow Science in March 2010. Since then, more than three thousand children have benefited from the program.
Meet the Business Owner: Fola A.
Fola Adebi, founder and executive director of Wow Science, had volunteered lots of time from her college days through the nine years she worked as a chemist to teach children in afterschool programs. Her appreciation of the challenges students were facing caused her to return to school to enhance her effectiveness in advancing their interest in science. She earned a master's degree in technology management from Stevens Institute of Technology in 2001. In 2002, Adebi resigned her position as Chemist at Pfizer (formerly Wyeth Pharmaceuticals) to pursue fulltime her passion of helping young learners embrace science. Adebi's concern for students' fear of math and science, poor performance in those subjects, poor test scores compared to peers in similarly situated countries, stagnant college enrollment in (STEM), and the resultant shortage of professionals in these fields led her to found Wow Science in March 2010.Since then, more than 3000 children have benefited from the program.
