Glen Oaks Project STEAM Leader Nominated for Prestigious Volunteer Award

making a differenceRose Kendrick, Project Director for Project STEAM at Glen Oaks Institute of Science (formerly Glen Oaks  Middle School), has been named a nominee for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Angel Award. Kendrick was nominated for the award on account of her selfless leadership with Project STEAM and her endearing commitment to youth and education.

A former chemist, Kendrick left her business career and became a teacher in 2001 to help children obtain optimal educational success. In 2013, she instituted Project STEAM, which is named for its focus on science, technology, engineering arts and mathematics (STEAM); the program is a partnership of UREC, the LSU Cain Center, Glen Oaks and North Banks Middle School.

Kendrick developed the program, which promotes interactive STEAM learning opportunities through blended and personalized learning, university student learning coaches, and small group learning models. To date, more than 195 students have participated in the program between Glen Oaks and North Oaks, and participating students continue to show positive academic gains. Project STEAM students have built and programmed robots, increased their reading and behavioral skills, are demonstrating mastery in more than 20 topics in math and are learning to work collaboratively.

In addition to her work with Project STEAM, Kendrick has, among other accomplishments,: introduced students to various extracurricular and career focused opportunities in areas such as science, technology, engineering and math; offered more than 15 years of service as a youth Bible school instructor; worked as a volunteer mathematics tutor with a faith based partner for six years; served as LA GEAR Up coordinator to promote college awareness for students and parents; and organized a student-led food drive to support the Baton Rouge Food Bank. Her efforts have benefited hundreds of youth and families in and around Baton Rouge.

Launched in 1995, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Angel Award is given to volunteers who demonstrate outstanding service to at-risk children in Louisiana.