Ethan Phillips admitted into the IMSA Leading Students 2 Success program
Ethan Phillips, son of Mike and Lisa Phillips of Lostant, has earned admittance to the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy’s (IMSA) Leading Students 2 Success program (LS2S). Children in middle school grades who have an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) related activities are able to apply for the Saturday programming that takes place at IMSA’s Aurora campus from late October to early February. Approximately 100 students from the State of Illinois are accepted into the program based upon their academic performance, responses to a series of essay prompts, teacher evaluations, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and testing results. According to Jacqueline Salinas, the LS2S program is designed to introduce young people to STEM experiences that are built upon inquiry and problem-based learning activities. Through a process of discussion and exploration of mathematical and scientific concepts, LS2S assists students as they develop their academic and interpersonal skills.
Ethan explained his enthusiasm for the IMSA program this way: ”Someday, I’d like to be like Steve Jobs. . .innovative, creative, and useful to lots of other people.” “Math and science are parts of me that I want to learn more about, and I want to make myself stronger in these areas I love.” He also said how much 4-H has meant to him over the past few years because he can see a project through from start to finish.
“Ethan has had wonderful teachers, and he has had the good fortune to learn from caring community members who help him learn how to be a good person while helping others,” said Lisa. Ethan is a 7th grade student at Lostant Elementary School.