Our Crowdfunding Groups
Flower STEM's project is to design and paint a mural centered around creativity within STEM to improve mental health at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. Eleanor Roosevelt High School is a science and technology magnet school in Greenbelt that produces a plethora of University of Maryland students and alumni including Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Our project champion, Patrick Gleason, is an English Teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt and is also a UMD alum.
In 2017, several concerned students approached Patrick Gleason about the mental health climate at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. He had noticed an increase in stress, anxiety, and depression in the student body; several students even expressed their suicidal thoughts to him or other staff members. Patrick and other staff members immediately took action. He worked with the concerned students to start a club that would address the mental health climate in the school, in hopes of reducing the negative atmosphere that crippled many of their students. Their goal was twofold—take tangible actions to improve the school's physical environment and educate more students on proper self-care techniques. In a school where only a handful of classrooms have windows, the drab, sterile atmosphere can be suffocating. They helped organize projects to add multiple murals around the school and school grounds. Enhancing the environment that over 2,000 students call home five days a week has been vital in sustaining a more positive, hopeful mindset. Yet there are still many locations around the campus beset by dark, colorless, lifeless views. Continuing to brighten the environment is vital to sustain the bright minds of our students seeking both comfort and inspiration.
The funds will help us obtain background checks — required to volunteer with Prince George’s County Public Schools, provide transportation to and from Eleanor Roosevelt High School and purchase paint, brushes, smocks and other materials. If the funding goal is met, the excess funds will be used for future projects and other Flower STEM initiatives.
Flower STEM is a student-led organization dedicated to promoting creativity within the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by showcasing interdisciplinary applications where STEM and artistry collide. To encourage our members to blossom, Flower STEM hosts expert-led workshops, offers a big-little style mentorship program, and partakes on a community project every semester.
Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
A rose for Roosevelt! This will fund the core paint supplies such as paint brushes, painter's tape, and PPE — painter protection equipment.
It must be sakura season because you're helping us blossom! This is enough for 1 gallon of weatherproof paint.
You must love black-eyed susans because you are supporting Maryland students! This is enough to cover a Prince George's County Public School volunteer certification.
Your generosity is signified by the gladiolus! This is enough to cover 5 gallons of weatherproof paint.
Like a chrysanthemum, you are absolutely golden! This donation will help us buy the items listed above and more.