The MdBio Foundation has been awarded a $1.36 million grant from Verizon to operate a mobile science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education program for D.C. Public Schools during the 2017-2018 school year. The education program, called the explorer lab, will consist of virtual reality and gaming components as well as in-classroom experiences, is designed to serve middle school students in grades 6, 7 and 8.
“MdBio is honored to have been chosen as a best-in-class nonprofit partner by Verizon,” said MdBio CEO Brian Gaines. “We are confident that MdBio’s expertise in providing impactful, hands-on educational experiences for middle and high school students will help make this program a success here in the Washington, D.C., region.”
MdBio has been a leader in mobile education programs for more than a decade. The foundation’s flagship education program, MdBioLab, has served more than 140,000 students in 450 schools across Maryland since 2003. In addition to the Verizon explorer lab, in early 2017 MdBio will also launch the Mobile eXploration Lab (MXLab), a custom-built 53-foot mobile laboratory designed to engage participants in hands-on experiences using technologies not available in schools.
The 2017-2018 school year is a pilot program for the Verizon Innovative Learning venture. Beginning in April, the mobile science program will begin traveling cross-country from its build location in Burbank, Calif., stopping at a variety of schools, fairs and festivals prior to arriving in Washington, D.C., in early August.
