STEM center receives high grades from Pritzker
Governor says such learning facilities need to be replicated across state
Gov. J.B. Pritzker praised the work being done at a science, technology, engineering and math center in Matteson during a visit Thursday, saying such learning centers need to replicated around the state.
“This is a highly unusual and very special thing they’ve done here,” Pritzker said after touring Matteson Elementary District 159’s STEM center, 20700 Matteson Ave.
The governor met students at work in the center’s three labs, which include an aerospace lab where they study hydroponics and what types of plants would grow on Mars. He asked students their names, introducing himself as “J.B.,” and talked to them about what they were studying.
“You can see how great this community is by talking to the children,” the governor said. “They’ve learning things I don’t think I ever learned.”
Opened late last year, the STEM center provides students hands-on activities in areas including engineering, computer coding and aerospace.
In the foundation lab, younger students worked on a project to create space for wildlife displaced by a major fire, with tools such as computer tablets in use alongside old-school equipment such as pencils, crayons and rulers.
The visit by Pritzker and Tony Sanders, state superintendent of education, was tied to the start of the school year, with 1.9 million students statewide either back in class or soon returning, Sanders said.
“The work you’re doing here with the STEM center is truly amazing,” Sanders said.
After the tour, Pritzker took an opportunity to tout investments his administration made in education funding.
He said he has “made it my mission to ensure that students get the quality education they deserve.”
“Education is what builds a great economy, it’s what builds a great place to live, work and play,” Pritzker said.
Matteson 159 serves more than 1,600 predominantly Black and
Hispanic students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. Most live in Matteson although some students are from Richton Park and Tinley Park.
The STEM Center aims to bridge the gap in access to hands-on STEM programming for students of color and all district students are able to take part in classes there, said District 159 Superintendent Tiffany Brunson.
“I am so proud of the work we are doing,” Brunson said. “We have only begun.”
Ground was broken in the summer of 2021 on the 19,000-square-foot STEM Center after voters in District 159 that