STEMKAMP was originally made possible through a $2.8 million grant from the Department of Defense in conjunction with Goshen Consulting, Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization (iBIO) and local school districts. Now operating as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, STEMKAMP provides fun, hands-on, immersive activities that connect problem-solving and critical thinking skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to help students explore a wide range of STEM careers. As a result, students gain a better understanding for current STEM careers, develop basic laboratory skills, practice higher-order thinking skills, and gain the self-confidence and motivation to continue a path toward a STEM career.

U.S. Department of Defense

Department of Defense STEM provides learning opportunities from elementary school through graduate school to inspire and cultivate a diverse pool of exceptional STEM talent. DoD programs connect STEM education in the classroom to the excitement, skills, and challenges that come with safeguarding our country. Through the DoD’s National Defense Education Program, the DoD awarded Goshen Education Consulting, Inc a $2.8 million grant to implement 10 STEMKAMP’s across the United States from 2021-2023.

Goshen Consulting

Goshen Consulting coordinates the STEMKAMP program as directed by the STEMKAMP not for profit organization. Goshen was founded in 2009 as an education-focused firm providing evaluation, research, and data interpretation services to school districts, universities, and informal education organizations. Goshen now leads more than 50 projects annually with 15 team members. Continuing to excel in providing educational evaluation services, in 2023 Goshen added a wide range of program design and evaluation services within the mental health prevention and early intervention space, as well as organizational development services.  Our team members act as thought partners to support programs and systems through program design & evaluation, organizational development, research, and data collection, analysis, & visualization grounded in our values of integrity, relationship-centered work, clarity, and social justice.

iBIO

iBIO is a life sciences industry association that represents the 85,000 life sciences employees at member companies, universities, service providers and venture firms. iBIO promotes the industry’s value to the public and policymakers; connects innovators to investment and talent; stimulates collaboration and fosters the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to transform patient lives through groundbreaking research and works to grow the Illinois economy. iBIO’s EDUCATE program focuses on coordinating industry engagement in iBIO’s StellarGirls and STEMGirls programs for girls in grades 3-8 in underserved Illinois.