DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) – A bike ride that will start at the Mississippi River and end at Lake Michigan will be accomplished this weekend by a local area high schooler that’s attempting to raise funds for an educational not-for-profit organization.
Theodore (Theo) Van Straten, a senior at Notre Dame Academy, is on his way to reaching his goal of raising $10,000 for the Einstein Project.
The Einstein Project is a resource management center that promotes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education by providing interactive lessons and necessary materials.
Van Straten is attempting to raise the money to create a Mobile Makerspace for the Green Bay-based organization.
A Makerspace is an area which provides tools, materials, and expertise to foster hands-on STEM education and project learning.
Presently, there is a Makerspace named “Einstein’s Sandbox” at the Einstein Project’s headquarters in Green Bay, but many students have difficulty attending on-site programs.
“It’s not plausible to bring kids in from a couple hours away to a Makerspace if they only have a day,” explains Van Straten.
Van Straten envisions a Mobile Makerspace Vehicle that could bring the supplies directly to schools and allow students expanded access.
Why is this cause so important to him? Van Straten enjoyed many of the STEM projects himself when he was younger.
“I did the whole eco-column thing and light up a house and certain projects that they still do today,” says Van Straten.
To achieve this goal he is attempting to raise $10,000 and has already received support from local businesses, such as Associated Bank and Bellin Health.
To expand his fundraising, Theo will be utilizing one of his passions.
“I just always had a love for bikes,” explains Van Straten. “I liked building them.”
Except Theo won’t be building any bikes soon.
Instead, he will be embarking on a cross-state bike ride this weekend that will start in Dubuque, Iowa and finish in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
From start to finish the trek will cover roughly 175 miles.
His longest previous ride is around 25 or 30 miles, but he’s firm that he’ll be up to the challenge.
Theo is encouraging individuals to support his goal by donating online at www.gofundme.com/toolsforthemind.
