USI Southwestern Indiana STEM Resource Center celebrates 15-year anniversary

This year marks the 15th anniversary for the Southwestern Indiana Stem Resource Center’s (SwiSTEM) Equipment Lending Service at the University of Southern Indiana. The Equipment Lending Service is a free service that provides educators with a cost-effective solution to accessing high-quality STEM resources. These resources are designed to enhance STEM education by making cutting-edge STEM educational tools readily available to schools throughout the Tri-state region, helping schools offer enriching learning experiences without the financial burden.  

The service features an online catalog that enables teachers to seamlessly borrow and integrate these resources into their classrooms. Those resources are then delivered to the teacher’s classrooms along with instructional materials. The first delivery was made in October of 2009. That year, 1,230 pieces of equipment were delivered to area schools—3,617 were loaned last academic year. Since 2009, the Equipment Lending Center has loaned over 40,000 items to Tri-state educators. 

“The Equipment Lending service elevated the lab experiences that I can provide my students with by giving me access to science lab equipment and materials that strengthen my lessons and are always accompanied by easy-to-use instructions and worksheets,” says Katie Bretz, teacher at Boonville Middle School. “What was once a video clip is now a hands-on learning activity for my students.” 

The Equipment Lending Service has resources available to help teach life science, physical science, engineering, chemistry, coding, mathematics, earth and space science topics. Resources available are suitable for pre-K through 12th grade students. For example, chemistry resources include general chemistry model sets, mini centrifuges, metric measuring kits, spectrophotometers and more.  

Additionally, SwISTEM offers ongoing support to ensure educators can effectively utilize the equipment. Since its inception in September of 2009, SwISTEM has continuously updated and expanded its inventory to meet the needs of teachers as the educational landscape has evolved. At the recommendation of area teachers, this expansion has included more equipment designed to teach STEM content at the elementary and even pre-school levels. Moreover, the SwISTEM Resource Center has diligently worked to align lessons to the new Indiana Academic Standards. 

"The SwISTEM Equipment Lending Service is all about making top-tier STEM education accessible to all. By offering free access to advanced learning tools, we empower educators and students to innovate and excel in the classroom,” says Allison Grabert, Director of the SwiSTEM Resource Center. “This initiative reflects USI’s deep commitment to strengthening the Southwest Indiana community through education and outreach." 

The SwiSTEM Equipment Lending service is free and available to anyone who teaches pre-K through 12th grade in southwest Indiana, Henderson County, Kentucky, and White, Wabash, Edwards and Gallatin Counties in Illinois. 

Those interested in learning more about becoming a patron of the SwISTEM Equipment Lending Service can visit USI.edu/stem, or contact Paige Walling, SwISTEM Circulation Supervisor, at pdwalling@usi.edu.