What is a stemkit?

Science should be fun and accessible, and access to it
should be equitable. So we created the StemKit.

Low-cost

Science is all around us; that's why we use everyday items in our experiments.

sustainable

Most of the items in our kits are reuseable or made with reclaimed materials.

lab-in-a-box

Fun lab experiments allow for student engagement via hands-on, experiential learning.

Our unique approach

theory of change

Science education should be approached as a process, not assumed fact. We believe that hands-on experiments allow for this approach and make for a constructivist approach to science education. This way, students engage meaningfully with the material and “create” their own knowledge.

By putting the material into students hands, we encourage them to engage with the material, ask questions, and most importantly feel comfortable with not knowing all the answers.

We are committed to emphasizing a growth-mindset and encouraging students to appreciate the importance of creativity.

Explore the connections between science education and global challenges.

​“The aim is to place students in a situation where they can produce knowledge and explore alternatives”​
(Furió and Gil, 1978).

Our history

ABOUT The Team

Learn more about the team behind the kit!

Fall 2014

SeedKit founder, Caleb Bercu ‘16, brainstorms the idea of low-cost learning materials in science classrooms. He travels to Tanzania to gauge need and interest from people about an all inclusive lab-in-a-box that is usable without running water or electricity. Dave Ellerby of the Biological Sciences department provides funding and mentorship.

Spring 2015

The SeedKit team is built: Serry Park ‘16, Bianca Morris ‘17,  Sierra Weingartner ‘17, Mebatsion Gebre ‘18, and Mehak Sarang ‘18 join the team.

Summer 2015

Caleb spends the summer at the Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW) with Wendy Robeson and remains at the Ellerby lab, making the first iteration of the Chemistry SeedKit. Connie Chow, director and founder of The Exploratory, takes the first SeedKit to Ghana to use in a teacher training.

Summer 2016

Caleb and Mehak travel to Ghana with Connie Chow with five SeedKit prototypes thanks to a CWS Global Engagement Grant. They work with Isabella Narvaez ‘17 (and the WCW) to develop questionnaires to measure learning outcomes and collect data on the efficacy of SeedKit.

Fall 2016

Yearly summer internship program is established allowing for one SeedKit member to travel to Ghana every summer to continue developing the SeedKit. ​