STEM for Ukrainian Kids
We believe every child deserves the chance to dream big through science. This year, we are honored to stand with science centers and museums around the world in support of the World Science Center Initiative (WSCI), a collaborative effort led by the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and the National Center “Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.”
Why We Are Collecting STEM Supplies
Over the last three years, many Ukrainian institutions, places just like ours that spark curiosity and support hands-on learning, have been severely damaged or destroyed. Yet the passion for science, discovery, and hope remains strong. Through the World Science Center Initiative, science centers are coming together to provide educational support and resources to help rebuild opportunities for young learners across Ukraine.
How You Can Help
With the support of the FSU Ukrainian Taskforce, we are collecting new or used toys, books, activity kits, and lab tools to send directly to children in Ukraine. Your donation will help bring a spark of inspiration to children facing unimaginable challenges. Together, we can show what a community of science supporters can do.
Drop-Off Locations
Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee: 200 S Duval St, Tallahassee, FL, 32301
More locations coming soon...
Svitlana Petrenko (Deputy Principal of magnet STEM school in Chernihiv, Ukraine): “Our school is one of the best in the city in STEM, and we also rank highly in English-language learning. Our graduates work at leading global companies — even at Google. But the war continues, and the city of Chernihiv is regularly subjected to shelling. Educational institutions and the city’s youth library have been damaged… Even so, our school continues the educational process. The children are eager to learn despite everything. Our staff is constantly looking for ways to motivate students and to update materials and equipment for more effective learning. We have equipped bomb shelters so that children can safely attend offline classes. English-language materials, books, and robotics models would be tremendously helpful for us!”
Dr. Anna Romanova, Ukrainian, Researcher at Learning Systems Institute at FSU, one of the initiators of the donation campaign: “For many Ukrainian families, purchasing even a single children’s science book has become a financial burden. A modern, high-quality science encyclopedia for children costs around $40, while the minimum monthly salary in Ukraine is $200. In single-parent households, which constitute a significant proportion of families, one book may require spending up to one-fifth of the family's monthly income. Because of this, families rarely donate books to libraries; instead, they are preserved and passed down across generations. The American people are very generous, and I am confident that even a small gift can help us contribute to Ukraine’s recovery, a recovery that begins with education”
Dr. Yulia Hrytsku, Reform Support Manager, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine: "In Ukraine, more than 4,000 educational institutions have been damaged by shelling and airstrikes since 2022, and about 400 have been completely destroyed. In addition, as of September 2024, nearly one thousand libraries have been damaged or demolished, along with over 200 million books lost. The Ministry welcomes any projects aimed at supporting the recovery and modernization of Ukrainian education, especially those that focus on STEM learning and English proficiency."