Lincoln-Way East senior Damilola Alabi has launched an innovative new program, STEM Sprouts, designed to spark a love of science among local children through fun, hands-on learning experiences.
Alabi was inspired to create STEM Sprouts as a way to give back to her community after participating in the Argonne Educational Science Research Program (ESRP) with her friend, Jenna Abuhamdan. With encouragement from science department chair and club sponsor Maria Wilson, Alabi and Abuhamdan developed the idea for Little Edisons, a student-led club that introduced STEM concepts to children through hands-on activities. This year, Alabi rebranded and expanded the initiative as STEM Sprouts, with a mission to make science accessible, exciting, and memorable for young learners.
On October 20, STEM Sprouts hosted approximately 45 Cub Scouts from Pack 270 (ages 5–10) at Lincoln-Way East for an evening of hands-on scientific exploration. The event featured five rotating experiment stations covering a range of subjects, including forensic science, biology, anatomy, physics, and chemistry. Activities included fingerprint analysis using balloons, observing pond water under digital microscopes, building a model of a beating heart, exploring light and color through coded messages, and making homemade ice cream to demonstrate chemistry principles.
More than 20 student volunteers organized and facilitated the event, guided by Alabi and the club’s executive team: Maddie Stang, Sophia Marin, and Alex Smith, under the leadership of Mrs. Maria Wilson.
“Our Cub Scouts were fully engaged throughout STEM Sprouts, diving into hands-on experiments and discovering just how fun science can be. The thoughtful planning and energy behind this student-led event truly shone through - making STEM both exciting and accessible for our young learners,” said Chris Mullooly, Cubmaster for Pack 270.
For Alabi, the program represents more than just an educational opportunity. She views it as a way to pass on the inspiration she once received.
“I discovered my love for science through incredible mentors who made me feel confident and capable,” Alabi said. “My goal is to inspire others the same way I was inspired. Science shapes our world, and it’s meaningful for kids to start thinking about the kind of impact they want to make.”
Alabi hopes STEM Sprouts will become a lasting tradition at Lincoln-Way East.
“I want students to have fun and leave with a joyful memory of science,” she said. “After I graduate, I hope future club leaders will continue using this framework to make a positive impact on our community.”