IMSA Distributes Free Science CD-ROMs to 500 Chicagoland Schools

For Immediate Release, October 2000
For comment, contact Brenda Buschbacher at (630) 907-5033

AURORA, IL — Students at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) have released Real Science 2000, an interactive CD-ROM designed for upper elementary school students (grades 3-5) to spark their interest in science.

Several improvements were made to the newest issue of Real Science including dual platform (Macintosh and PC) capability and "Recent Science" articles updated monthly by IMSA students. These can be found on the IMSA website at wwwimsaedu/project/rs/recentscience.

The recently-released 2000 issue was developed by Real Science club members, headed by Class of 2000 Editors Jonathan Berger of Wayne, Ashlee Riddle of Elgin, Denny Tu of Naperville and IMSA Class of 2001 Editors Margaret Wat and Cindy Xi of Naperville. The concept and first issue of Real Science was developed in 1995 by IMSA alums Matt Brody '95 of Highland Park and Arvind Sekar '95 of Danville. Last year, copies of Real Science 1999 were mailed to 350 Chicagoland schools.

The Real Science 2000 CD-ROM features articles on Video Games, The Sun and the Moon, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Your Personal Army, Parts of Plants, Elements and The Internet. Real Science 2001 is currently in development and will be mailed out to Chicagoland elementary schools in May, 2001. Any elementary or middle school interested in requesting a free copy can e-mail britta@imsa.edu or call (630) 907-5041 to be placed on the Real Science mailing list.

Located in Aurora, Illinois, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) is an internationally-recognized pioneering educational institution created by the State to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12. More than 14,000 teachers and 20,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from IMSA's professional development and enrichment programs. IMSA serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy leadership and action research.