“I have definitely been using the kit. We just completed a science unit and rocks and minerals. I would love to have some flyers sent to my school for all the teachers. I work at Herrin Elementary School and know several teachers that would be interested in attending this summer.”

“I loved your program and recommend it to my fellow teachers.”

“I’ve put the knowledge I gained and supplies to good use this year. I really enjoyed last year’s program and am very glad that I had the opportunity to attend, even if it was only a one time shot. Best of luck with your subsequent IPRB summer programs and I hope that other educators enjoy it as much as I did.”

“Thanks so much… we learned so much. It was a great experience.”

“Thank you for a wonderful conference experience. My Mascoutah ladies and I appreciate all your hard work. We had a great learning experience!”

“I use the resources daily. I use the curriculum exercises as they fit into my courses monthly. Thanks so much! It was a great program.”

“The curriculum I use every year and the materials I have found other helpful uses for even in the biological sciences. This was one of the best professional developments I have attended and would love to again.”

“We are mandated to complete 2 STEM projects a year. I always make sure that one of the STEM projects connects with curriculum /lab kits that were given to us.”

“I used the entire kit last year for 25 students. I will use the entire kit again this year. Other than a few stop watches not working well (minor problem) the kit is FANTASTIC!”

“I teach a delightfully small class of 18 third graders this year. We start off the year talking about the prairie on which we live, so this year, I had a LOT more knowledge to share about glaciers and what lies UNDER our prairie! We have talked about fossils and rocks and layers of the earth a lot more in-depth this year. I’ve been able to add information about the Illinois basin and what is needed to produce oil. I have read the book Let’s Go Rock Collecting and used the sedimentary tubes and rock samples so far, as well as shown my class several photos that I took during our outing. Thank you again for this experience!”

“I use as a supplement to our NGSS curriculum. My kids love the ooze tube which always sits on my desk!”

“I share resources w/colleagues. We are in IL unit right now., we will get to natural resources soon. I’m still in awe of the wonderfully organized work you orchestrated this summer! Such great communication!”

“I incorporate several items into my lessons throughout the year. I like to show how science and math are used in most workplaces. This gives purpose to what they are learning.”

“I have retired so I left the kit for the next teacher.  It was a great kit with lots of great projects and information.”

“I have not been able to do a full Petroleum unit thus far but I have been using some of the equipment in the bins that were provided. They have come in handy with doing demonstrations and different activities.”

“I have been using the petroleum labs you provided me for my earth science class to teach the scientific method and a unit on Energy. I plan on using the unit until I retire. It is a great unit and labs to use to fill common core that Illinois now requires.”

“I use 3 activities that we were taught. And use almost all the resource material. We are mandated to complete 2 STEM projects a year. I always make sure that one of the STEM projects connects with curriculum /lab kits that were given to us.”

“I LOVED this workshop. FYI. To be honest, I haven’t been able to use the curriculum a whole lot because our school has a “locked curriculum” for biology and I really cannot stray too much from it. If I were teaching Earth Science I would probably use it more, but more and more, our curriculum doesn’t have a lot of flexibility. So I feel bad for letting you know this. I’m hoping that at some point I will get to use all of that incredible stuff!!!”

“The school year has recently begun. I plan on using the toolkit later in the school year when the science teacher is teaching her petroleum unit. We plan on using the materials for an interdisciplinary unit. Thank you. I truly enjoyed the week of activities and events.”