The Wong Center for Education's Mission
The Wong Center for Education (formerly the Wong Foundation) was established by William Wong in 2015 and was named as such in loving memory of his sister, Elizabeth. The Wong Center for Education is a dynamic STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) education non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening, enhancing and enriching students' interest in STEM educational programs. The Wong Center for Education provides STEM enrichment programs for elementary, middle and high school students in the Chicagoland area through schools, park districts, science groups and through William Wong's Chasewood Learning Center. Better educational opportunities improve lives and drive social change. The Wong Center for Education also seeks to assist eligible students in the opportunity to compete in STEM competitions in their schools and in the community.
Science curriculum in our schools has experienced budget cuts, nationwide and in our local communities, yet there is a strong need for STEM education in today's world. We know that a strong background in STEM subjects is critically important to our children's future careers and to the future success of many US businesses. School districts are looking to increase the level of achievement in science and with students' understanding and retention of STEM concepts. More importantly, schools want their teachers and students to embrace STEM educational programs and competitions as fun enrichment activities.
The Wong Center for Education's Goals
The Wong Center for Education seeks to provide STEM education to schools, primarily to schools that cannot afford to pay for this extra curriculum. The Wong Center for Education answers the call for help from many schools in need, with science curriculum based on National Science Standards and states' core curriculum. We ensure that the type of science instruction is effective by making it inquiry-based and hands-on so that children learn the way that they learn best . . . by doing. We bring the wonder back and the students hypothesize as they learn! Students are given the skills they need for success in STEM programs. Inquiry-based instruction yields successful learning outcomes for every student at every mastery level. Our instructors are seasoned and praised by fellow educators and administrators plus they make the lessons fun! We also provide instructional strategies for classroom teachers as we lead the students through lessons and hands-on experiments. We create an opportunity for all students to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment as they execute each lesson, are awed by the results and become eligible for competitions.
We are committed to making STEM educational programs and competition opportunities available to all students, regardless of socio-economic status. We are committed to assisting students who want to participate in afterschool STEM educational programs as well as competitions, but whose family cannot afford the cost.
