The EastSide Charter School in Wilmington, Del., has broken ground on a $25 million STEM facility.
The Delaware Journal reports that the Chemours STEM Hub at EastSide Charter School aims to remedy a lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The center will be open to everyone across the state, says Aaron Bass, the charter school's CEO. Students can learn about coding and 3D printing, and adults can learn about robotics and take advantage of job training.
The school tore down a nearby warehouse in December to make way for the new science center.
Delaware has lacked a facility that could provide students with the opportunity to learn STEM outside school, Bass says.
“If your school doesn’t happen to have this engineering program … [or] this coding program, ... where are you going?” Bass said. “You need to have an access point … [and] we’re providing that.”
Donations through First Community Foundation have in large part funded the project, and partners like the Wilmington Public Library, Barclays Bank Delaware and Chemours — a chemistry company based in Wilmington — also have supported it.
The new science hub is slated to open in fall 2024 and will be within walking distance from the charter school.
