Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center Launch New Stem Center in Anne Arundel County Empowering Future Innovators

GLEN BURNIE, Md. (April 16, 2025) – The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) and University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC) – a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) – held a ribbon-cutting ceremony recently to unveil their new mobile STEM Center at Glen Burnie Park Elementary School.

The mobile STEM center is one of 10 centers being developed as part of a three-year, $500,000 grant provided by UMMS to CRSF. This partnership with CRSF represents an opportunity to introduce students to the field of STEM and further strengthen existing relationships with local community-based organizations and schools.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from Colleen McFarland, Principal of Glen Burnie Park Elementary School; Kathy McCollum, President and CEO of UM BWMC and George Roberts, Ed.D., Associate Superintendent for Instruction and School Performance at Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

“At UM BWMC, we believe the health and wellbeing of our community begins with investing in the future of our youth,” McCollum said. "Thanks to our partnership with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and Anne Arundel County Public Schools, we’re able to open this STEM Center and introduce families to fun, interactive activities that spark curiosity and give students the tools they need to succeed in science, technology, and healthcare careers. Through these efforts, we’re building on our strong connection to Glen Burnie, and are proud to support the next generation."

“Introducing STEM early is essential because it fosters critical thinking skills,” McFarland said. “Our students begin to see themselves as problem solvers—not just in their daily lives, but in how they can apply those skills to make an impact on the world. We’re grateful to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation for their generous contribution to the future of our students, and for our continued partnership with the University of Maryland Medical System and University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center.”

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, students, families, and staff participated in a variety of hands-on activities led by the school’s third-grade STEM Club. Attendees explored early coding skills through “Bee Bots,” experimented with electronics using Snap Circuits, observed a 3D printer in action, and engaged with stations designed to foster creativity and engineering skills. Each activity is packaged to be wheeled on carts to different parts of the school for engaging with a variety of students at all different grade levels.

Third-grade STEM Club members were the first to explore the materials, setting up stations for students and families to try out the equipment for the center’s opening night.

Devin McNeal, a member of the STEM Club who introduced McCollum along with club member Tessa Bonilla, said, “I’m most excited about the mobile STEM initiative because it’s helped me use my thought process to build better.”

Two STEM Club leaders and teachers, Alex Stewart and Mattie Cavey, shared that the introduction of the mobile STEM centers has significantly enhanced their students’ learning experience and sparked greater excitement and engagement in the classroom.

Stewart said, “We haven’t had this many kits available before—ones that give students the chance to explore in depth. They can use the materials to align with the curriculum, and as they grow, they’ll be able to dive deeper into the kits and tackle more advanced projects.”

“It’s exciting to see what students are drawn to and how they ask questions. When they find something that really interests them, they can keep exploring it outside of school. Plus, there are STEM programs in both middle and high school, so their journey doesn’t end here,” Cavey added.

STEM Club members gave the event their enthusiastic approval:

• Ava Hammett said, “I enjoy making circuits!”
• “My favorite activity is making robots because I get to use technology,” added Chandler Shephard. “It’s easier to do it hands-on than just read a book. Also, I want to be a scientist!”
• “I like making fun things and working together with my teammates,” said Persais Oliver.

UM BWMC and Glen Burnie Park Elementary School have a long history of collaboration, working together to offer health and wellness education and materials to students and families through back-to-school resource fairs, car seat safety instructional classes and kindergarten orientation. The hospital’s Community Outreach Team also offers Safe at Home and Safe Sitter classes for children, where instructors teach kids safety tips for when they are home alone and for when they are watching another child.

UM BWMC offers several opportunities to engage with the community throughout the year, including Community Wellness Day, scheduled for Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the hospital’s Outpatient Care Center. To learn more about UM BWMC’s community outreach programs, visit umbwmc.org/community. 

About the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center

The University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC) is a 307-bed medical center committed to improving the health outcomes of the communities it serves. A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), UM BWMC is located in Glen Burnie (Anne Arundel County) and has more than 3,100 team members and 1,000 medical providers on staff. The medical group provides primary and specialty care services to individuals throughout the region. Together with community providers and faculty from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, UM BWMC offers a wide range of clinical programs including cancer, critical care, emergency, heart, lung, neurosciences, orthopedics, pediatric, primary care, vascular, and women’s health. For more information, visit umbwmc.org.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high-quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. As one of the largest private employers in the state, the health system's more than 29,000 employees and 4,600 affiliated providers offer primary and specialty care at 11 hospitals, 5 standalone emergency rooms and more than 150 locations and through a network of UM Urgent Care locations. For more information, visit umms.org.