University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

GEMS is led by UIUC and housed within the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB). Teams in the IGB tackle societal challenges and transform research and technology in the life sciences. Founded in 1867, UIUC is a research powerhouse with over 150 centers, laboratories and research institutes. UIUC’s research portfolio includes agriculture, social and natural sciences, and engineering. Our scientists and education researchers come from this extensive and collaborative background.

Indiana University (IU) Bloomington

Founded in 1820, IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of Indiana University’s seven campuses.  The Department of Biology integrates a range of research domains within one department. This allows researchers to innovate in neurobiology, molecular biology, molecular genetics, and evolution.

New York University (NYU)

NYU is a private research university founded in 1831. It has three degree-granting campuses, 11 global academic centers, and research programs in more than 25 countries. The Department of Biology supports a range of research areas including developmental genetics, infectious diseases and the microbiome, and evolutionary and ecological biology.

University of North Carolina (UNC) Greensboro

UNC Greensboro is a public research university founded in 1891. The university takes pride in its learner-centered approach. The Department of Educational Research Methodology (ERM) specializes in measurement sciences and program evaluation. Within ERM, the Office of Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Services provides valuable evaluation support to GEMS.

Champaign Park District

The Champaign Park District is a special district of local government with its own financial and legal responsibilities. It is governed by five elected residents of Champaign who give their services to the community. The District’s mission is to enhance the community’s quality of life through positive experiences in parks, recreation, and cultural arts.

Illinois Science Explorers

The Illinois Science Explorers (I-Sci Explorers) program aims to provide sustained STEM extracurricular opportunities to children in Champaign-Urbana who lack access to ongoing STEM enrichment. The program incorporates advanced social and behavioral science principles into its curricula, offering a unique approach to STEM education. By showcasing a wide range of scientific disciplines, including social sciences, I-Sci Explorers helps children connect with various STEM fields, fostering confidence and building a strong foundation for future learning and success.

Impact on Science Education

Impact on Science Education is a group of collaborators that innovate science education through teacher education, research, and instructional design. Based out of the College of Education at UIUC, Impact on Science Education works with academic institutions, educational organizations, small businesses, and individuals to improve science education learning and teaching.

Parkland College

Parkland College is a community college based in Champaign, Illinois. It enrolls approximately 20,000 students annually. Their campus is a striking array of student lifestyles, with diverse cultures and communities, students ranging in age from 16 to 86, and a growing international presence.

X-Time

X-Time is a 501(c) nonprofit that helps children explore interests through free online and in-person classes, X-PLORE Stations, and summer camps. These opportunities introduce students to a variety of topics and fuel their passion to learn more. The hands-on materials include STEM, environmental, and sustainability topics.

National Science Foundation (NSF)

This website and related materials are based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. 2022049. The NSF is a US federal agency that supports science and engineering. The NSF’s mission is to keep the US at the forefront of scientific and engineering discovery and to ensure that there are no barriers to participation.

Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB)

GEMS is headquartered at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The IGB is an interdisciplinary facility for innovative genomics research. Their mission is to use cutting-edge genomic practices to tackle large-scale global challenges such as health, energy, and technology.