For their crowdfunding project this year, the University of Detroit Mercy Chem Club will be raising funds to help area STEM teachers outfit or enhance their programs.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects huge growth in high-paying STEM-related jobs over the next 10 years. The number of students especially those who are part of an underrepresented minority entering these fields will not be nearly enough to fill the positions.

STEM is important because it pervades every part of our lives. ... By exposing students to STEM and giving them opportunities to explore STEM-related concepts, they will develop a passion for it and hopefully pursue a job in a STEM field. A curriculum that is STEM-based has real-life situations to help the student learn.

Teachers are often the main source of outfitting their STEM program with supplies and programming due to school district budget constraints.

Area teachers will be able to submit an application for funds to help them outfit or enhance their STEM program. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of students and Matthew J. Mio, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Mara R. Livezey, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry. The money raised from this crowdfunding effort will be put towards funding proposals and a portion will help support the Chem Club.

This project is important to the Chem Club because we recognize the important role that teachers make in encouraging young students into STEM fields and higher education. Additionally, teachers commonly spend hundreds to thousands of their own dollars per year on school supplies. To ease the financial burden on our local teachers and to invest in education in our community, we are asking for your help.

Your support will help bring the excitement of STEM fields to more students who will be needed to fill millions of jobs in tech and industry for the foreseeable future.

International residents can make an online gift by going to https://community.udmercy.edu/donate, selecting Other and typing in the crowdfunding project.