Inclusion and Engagement
Dover is a proud partner of the American Heart Association (AHA), and as a part of our sponsorship, we supported STEM Goes Red, which is the AHA initiative to deepen the pipeline of women entering STEM careers through mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and networking opportunities. STEM Goes Red is addressing a significant gap in STEM opportunities for young women: 100% of participating students attend underserved schools without extracurricular STEM programs. In 2024, over 145 high school girls from the Chicago area attended the annual STEM Goes Red event, and participated in networking, panel discussions, and breakout sessions with leaders in STEM industries.
Advancement of Stem
A Decade-Long Partnership Advancing Equitable Education and Access to Science Learning
For more than a decade, the Dover Foundation has been a committed and valued partner to Shedd Aquarium. Together, we’ve worked to expand access to high-quality, hands-on science education for students and educators across Chicago. This long-standing philanthropic relationship has played a vital role in helping Shedd reach more than 150,000 students annually—many of whom come from under-resourced communities—and create transformative educational experiences both inside and beyond the aquarium’s walls.
The Dover Foundation’s support has been instrumental in launching and sustaining key initiatives that advance Shedd’s mission to spark compassion, curiosity, and conservation for the aquatic animal world. Two signature programs from 2024 include the Science Educators Conference and the Education Access Program.
Science Educators Conference
Dover's support enables Shedd’s annual Science Educators Conference. In 2024, the program welcomed 79 teachers for an immersive experience designed to enhance science instruction in alignment with classroom needs.
The program fosters a dynamic learning community where educators:
- Gain awareness of Shedd’s educational tools for in- and out-of-classroom use
- Practice inquiry-based, student-centered instructional methods
- Exchange ideas and best practices with fellow educators across Chicago
Education Access Program
The Dover Foundation also supports Shedd’s Education Access Program, which reimagines traditional field trips to ensure every student—regardless of background—can access the aquarium’s learning resources. In 2024 alone, 3,136 students from 44 Chicago Public Schools participated in this fully complimentary, multi-day experience, which took place both virtually and through an on-site field trip.
Aligned with Chicago Public Schools’ Amplify Science curriculum and Next Generation Science Standards, this program brings animal science to life by focusing on topics like animal communication and sound in nature. With live footage, interactive digital content, and in-person animal encounters, students work through real-world challenges, such as how dolphins use sound to navigate and interact.
Together, these programs reflect Shedd Aquarium’s commitment to learning and community, and they would not be possible without the dedicated support of the Dover Foundation. With Dover’s partnership, we continue to bridge educational gaps, invest in educators, and empower Chicago’s youth—especially in under-resourced communities —with the tools, experiences, and inspiration to thrive in school and beyond.