GLAS Education: Expanding Access to STEAM from Geneva Lake to the World
March 12, 2026
Now in its eighth year, GLAS Education (Geneva Lake Astrophysics and STEAM) is redefining what inclusive, community-rooted science education looks like in southern Wisconsin and beyond.
The Mission
At the heart of GLAS is a powerful commitment:
“GLAS Education is committed to creating innovative STEAM resources and experiences that empower individuals, deepen community engagement, and dismantle barriers to access in STEM education, outreach, and careers.”
GLAS provides inclusive STEM experiences for individual, local, and global good through innovative educational programs anchored in a vibrant, multigenerational community.
What Is STEAM?
STEAM merges Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math with the Arts, recognizing that creativity and innovation are inseparable from discovery. By integrating the arts into traditional STEM education, GLAS helps learners not only understand the world—but imagine new possibilities within it.
A Grassroots Beginning
GLAS was founded by Kate Meredith, former Education Director at Yerkes Observatory. When the University of Chicago sold Yerkes, Kate and a passionate group of teachers, volunteers, and scientists refused to let community-based science education disappear.
They quite literally moved down the street and continued the work. GLAS is a fully independent, stand-alone nonprofit organization.
Serving Rural and Under-Resourced Communities
Rural school districts often face significant financial constraints in STEAM education, including limited access to updated materials, specialized instruction, and enrichment programming.
Research also shows that rural-designated schools serve higher percentages of students with disabilities, further increasing the need for accessible, adaptable educational models.
GLAS works closely with public schools throughout southern Wisconsin to address these disparities—particularly as recent administrative funding cuts have disproportionately impacted students with special needs and under-resourced communities. Girls and young women, who continue to face barriers and discrimination in STEAM pathways, also benefit from GLAS’s inclusive approach.
Three Essential Benefits for Students
GLAS provides three critical advantages to the learners it serves:
- Real-World Experience That Matters
Students engage in hands-on, real-world STEAM work in a low-risk environment that allows them to explore interests, test career pathways, and build meaningful skills while contributing to their communities. - Access to an International Network of Scientists
GLAS opens its global scientific network to learners of all ages and abilities—ensuring access to mentorship, knowledge, and resources regardless of disability or economic status. - Inclusive Learning Environments
GLAS intentionally creates spaces where students with disabilities, individuals from under-resourced areas, and people with diverse perspectives can build on their strengths in STEAM.
A Multigenerational Community
One of GLAS’s defining characteristics is its multigenerational model.
Programming begins at the preschool level and extends through postgraduate study. High school and college students serve as summer interns, working alongside scientists and educators. Many return year after year as volunteers, building a culture of mentorship and continuity.
The organization is supported by a development team that secures funding through grants, individual donations, and community partnerships—ensuring programs remain accessible.
Programs That Connect Science to Place
GLAS programming is deeply rooted in the Geneva Lake community.
Water Quality Monitoring – Geneva Lake
Now in its fourth year, the Water Quality Monitoring Program engages students in hands-on environmental science focused on Geneva Lake. Participants collect and analyze real data, contributing to environmental stewardship while gaining practical scientific experience.
Dark Skies Initiative – Lake Geneva
Working with the City of Lake Geneva, GLAS educates the public about light pollution and the importance of protecting dark skies. This initiative connects astrophysics to environmental responsibility and community planning.
Pop-Up Planetarium & Library Partnerships
GLAS brings astronomy directly to neighborhoods through its pop-up planetarium and collaborations with local libraries—ensuring families of all ages can explore the night sky together.
Summer Internships
Each summer, local high school students and undergraduates—including students from the University of Chicago—participate in immersive internships beginning in June. A current need is securing summer housing to support these young scientists and educators.
Perseid Meteor Shower Educational Cruise
Each August, GLAS hosts a special Perseid meteor shower event in partnership with Lake Geneva Cruise Line. Sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, this weekday educational cruise combines astronomy, community engagement, and the magic of the annual meteor shower into an unforgettable learning experience on the lake.
Breaking Barriers, Building Futures
By designing inclusive programming and connecting learners to a global scientific community, GLAS ensures that passion—not privilege—determines opportunity.
From preschoolers discovering constellations to postgraduate researchers mentoring interns, GLAS embodies a simple but powerful belief:
Science belongs to everyone.
And from Geneva Lake, that belief is lighting the way forward.