2021

GOSS FAMILY LIGHT DISPLAY SUPPORTS STARS TO STEM, INC.

Wednesday, December 15th Fundraiser at Niantic Public House

Rocketing to Success
August 5, 2021

Located in a far back corner of East Lyme High School and familiar to many alumni of the school are the remnants of a once-popular planetarium.  Although most of the equipment has been dismantled and removed, the remaining dome-shaped space cries out for restoration.  STARS To STEM, a local nonprofit lead by community member and President Diane Swan, proposed a plan to restore the facility.  Undaunted by the unforeseen obstacles of the past year, the organization and its spirited group of volunteers forged ahead to raise the capital to bring back this treasure and upgrade the space as a 21st century learning center.

One family’s generous proposal helped launch an impressive fundraising campaign that skyrocketed the organization toward achieving their goal. This past June, a community member, aware of the organization’s mission, approached Diane with an incredible offer.  The prospective donor pledged to match all contributions that were received in the month of July, dollar for dollar up to $10,000. Excited by the potential boost to its fundraising efforts, STARS to STEM began a carefully orchestrated campaign. Striking a Match raised over $19,000 by the third week of July!  Many regional community members and local businesses contributed to this effort and were instrumental in helping STARS to STEM surpass its $10,000 goal. 

STARS to STEM, Inc. offers its sincerest gratitude to the Daubar family of East Lyme:  Justin and his wife Joyce, daughter Ingrid and son Andrew. Ingrid and Andrew are ELHS alumni and along with their parents they credit their successes to the education they received at East Lyme Public Schools. Furthermore, the Daubars believe in the vision and mission of STARS to STEM, to stimulate love and excitement of scientific learning for the youngest to the oldest citizens and to enrich our community as we inspire all to reach for the stars.

August 16, 2021:  It is with great pleasure that on behalf of STARS  to STEM, Inc. I announce that we ordered the projector for the planetarium at East Lyme High School!  This would not have been possible without our dedicated board of directors, advisors, volunteers and the community who believed in our vision  and mission and donated to our non-profit. Mission One Start-up has taken off and we are on to Mission Two - Programming. 

Donations continue  to be accepted via online, mail or donation jars around East Lyme and Waterford. You can also make us your charity of choice on Amazon.  We are extremely thankful for everyone who has shown interest and support as we work to relaunch the planetarium at East Lyme High School. You all truly make a difference!”  Diane M. Swan, President

STARS to STEM, Inc, has received a donation to the restoration of the Planetarium at East Lyme High School in honor of Erin Boettcher, daughter of Lynn Tavormina and John Boettcher. Erin, a 2008 graduate of ELHS, had her first astronomy class at the high school and she went on to earn her PhD in astrophysics at the University of Wisconsin. She is currently completing a 3 year post-doctorate in astrophysics at the University of Chicago and will begin a new job at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center this fall. 

Donations may be made by mail to STARS to STEM, Inc., P.O. Box 616, Niantic, CT 06357 or online at www.starstostem.org. For more information, contact President Diane Swan at President@starstostem.org.

by Michele Snitkin, STARS to STEM member

As the school year wraps up and students are focused on summer and beyond, STARS to STEM has been actively fundraising to restore the hidden gem within East Lyme High School.  To date, most donations have come from individuals and businesses via online payments, mailed-in checks, or anonymous cash donations collected at local businesses.  More recently, grant awards are helping to boost efforts of restoring the school’s planetarium.

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation contributes tens of millions of dollars annually to community causes. The Foundation awards grants in four prime areas, including education grants that will "develop the capacity of the future workforce, especially in STEM and energy fields."  Nancy Bulkeley, Senior Community Affairs Representative from Dominion, was proud to present the $5,000 grant award to Diane Swan, President of STARS to STEM.  “I feel that it is important for students to get educated about STEM and get them interested for future endeavors,” stated Nancy.  “Dominion Energy is very focused on giving back to the community.  We just believe that we are part of this community and should give back to the community.” 

Accompanying Diane were several members of STARS to STEM, including high school student Sachi Vora and college student Gillian McMahon.  “I think this is great...another big step forward so one step at a time. That’s kind of been our goal this whole time.  So here’s to the great direction, ” remarked Gillian. 

“One step closer is all we need, ” echoed Sachi. 

Principal of East Lyme High School, Deb Roselli Kelly, applauded the efforts of the organization and commended its members for their steadfast perseverance in fundraising.   “I think it’s exciting that the community is getting involved in helping to upgrade what we have in the building.  I will like seeing its completion.”

by Karen Urgitis/Advisor

The Mitchell Trust, LLC, which has supported many local causes, has made a donation to STARS to STEM, Inc., a local non-profit corporation which is dedicated to the renovation of the existing planetarium space at East Lyme High School to create a community and regional educational asset.

Currently the space (which has not been operational since 2013) requires restoration and a technology upgrade.

Thanks to community support, private and corporate donations, a third of the cost of a new projector has been accumulated.  In addition, grant awards are being sought for the remaining balance.  No Board of Education funds or tax dollars will be used.

Donations can be made by mail to STARS to STEM, Inc., P.O. Box 616, Niantic, CT. 06357.  Interested parties with questions can email Diane Swan, President of STARS to STEM, Inc., at starstostem@gmail.com.  For more information, visit online at www.starstostem.org. 

by Michele Snitkin, STARS to STEM member

Welcome to the first monthly installment of celestial news provided by STARS to STEM, Inc., a local non-profit promoting the restoration of the planetarium at East Lyme High School.

Many people are unaware that there was such a facility - a dedicated room in the high school - up until 2013.  With the increasing importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), it is vital to provide as much stimulus to interest in these fields as possible.

One of the most powerful gateways to careers in the sciences is an early fascination with the heavens.  Since ancient times the eyes of men and women have been drawn to the skies especially at night.  Even today we can look at the stars with naked eyes and find wonder.  However, curiosity leads us to seek to order and make sense of what we see.  A first grader’s trip to a planetarium provides a roadmap, an astronomy student’s studies may lead to a career choice.

In the upcoming months you will find interesting, inspiring, and informative commentary in this space written by Dr. Leslie F. Brown, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Connecticut College, New London, and a Board member of STARS to STEM.  She will guide us in how truly to make the stars our own.

Fundraising for the restoration and technology upgrade of the planetarium space in the high school is ongoing and will depend on private/corporate donations, the work of volunteers, and grant awards.  No Board of Education funds or tax dollars will be used for this regional educational asset for all ages.

Donations can be made by mail to:  STARS to STEM, Inc.  P.O. Box 616, Niantic, CT. 06357.  Interested parties with questions can email Diane Swan, President, at president@starstostem.org or visit online at www.starstostem.org.

For all non-profits, reaching out to potential benefactors is critical to the success of an organization.  Public relations efforts bring awareness to the overall goal, vision, and mission of the enterprise and support the organization in reaching its goals.  With today’s modern technology, information is shared through web sites, social media venues, crowd-sourcing fundraisers, and promotional videos. Not to be forgotten are the tried-and-true measures of print media that can reach many in the community through traditional means.

Such a magazine is Niantic Neighbors, published by Best Version Media.  BVM distributes millions of publications every year throughout the United States and Canada. Renowned as one of the most productive and developing companies in traditional print media, the periodical features local families on the front of every cover with an in-depth article to “share their unique story with the community.”  A very fitting and noteworthy family featured in the January 2021 edition was STARS to STEM President Diane Swan, her husband Robert, children Lydia and Vincent, and most loyal pet dog, Barley.

The article details the early lives of Diane and her husband as well as her family’s background. It describes the motivating events that led her to a career in teaching with a special interest in science.  As a student of East Lyme Schools, Diane was mesmerized by the amazing presentations conducted at the high school’s planetarium, so much so that she wrote letters to NASA and immersed herself in the study of astronomy.  Currently a teacher at Niantic Center School, Diane shares her passion with her students. Fittingly, she spearheads a group of community members in STARS to STEM, a non-profit organization she established, with a mission to restore and upgrade the East Lyme High School's existing planetarium space into a 21st century teaching and learning marvel.

Diane believes that leaving a legacy is a big responsibility. “Together we can make a difference in the footprint we leave in this town…for future generations to enjoy.” 

by Karen Urgitis/Advisor

Board of Education Ad Hoc Committee - Zoom Meeting with Stars To Stem, Inc.

January 26, 2021 @ 6PM

Attendees:

Board of Ed: :Jeffrey Newton, Eric Bauman, Leigh Gianakos, Chris Lund, Maryanna Stevens

Stars To Stem:  Karen Urgitis, Linda Raffa, Mark Princevalle

Jeff Newton opened meeting with self intros of participants and reviewing of statement of purpose for  meeting, as was put in tonight’s agenda - holding planetarium room for use by Stars to Stem.

Eric Bauman started  discussion by saying that while he felt this was “holistically” a good idea,  he was looking for a more detailed  update on the progress of the organization. He said he felt a little “disconnect” in explanations and  understanding surrounding the topic of the Planetarium. He wanted to know more about where Stars To Stem was in a  planning timeline and the financial progress in the achievement of the goals of that timeline.

Karen Urgitis reported that grants, in kind and private donations, along with the pursuit of corporate  funding would be  assisting in this first phase of planning.  She reported we have about  another $80,000 of this part left.  Due to Covid, Stars To Stem has not been able to have major fundraising events.  Linda Raffa added she felt that the “grassroots” type of support Stars To Stem has been receiving from donation jars in business establishments, FaceBook page and Website donations, along with personal donors just mailing in checks was a good sign for continued future support.

Eric Bauman questioned our future timeline and programming expenses.Karen thought it would be around $ 80, 000 yearly. That would most likely be covered by grants, corporate sponsors and fees.

Mr. Bauman asked what timeline were we looking at and he was under the impression we would be charging East Lyme schools to use Planetarium once it’s up and running.

Ms. Urgitis  stated that although we plan to be a regional asset, we would probably start slowly with just East Lyme schools, at no charge, and then begin programming for students throughout the region. She felt this was covered at a past meeting.

Mr. Newton asked if there were anymore questions. He stated that if all on committee agreed, he would bring up holding the Planetarium room at the February 8th meeting. After discussion of how long they would hold the room, Mr. Newton  said if no objections, he would use the last letter of commitment for one year and just insert the  new dates.

Mr Bauman asked that we continue with document updates, along with an updated business plan.  Perhaps we could meet again in another six months to check on progression. He also suggested that we might get in touch with Dave Putnum of Parks & Rec for advice and input on how The Miracle League accomplished their goal.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:36 pm.

Linda Raffa, Secretary/Treasurer

Stars To Stem, Inc

P O Box 616 ,

Niantic, CT 06357