ARMS: History
Arms was initiated in 1990 as a partnership between the CBE, Wisconsin Fast Plants and the Downtown Madison Kiwanis service club. Kiwanis and UW volunteers worked in classrooms at Emerson school (a high needs school) to help teachers implement hands-on activities and mentor students. Emerson, with the help of ARMS, hosted Family Science Nights, highlighting the work of local scientists, and Science Fairs, highlighting the work of students and their mentors. The program grew to serve four schools and a coordinator was hired with funds from the Center for Biology Education and the Madison Community Foundation to match volunteers with teachers and students. The program currently serves many high-needs elementary schools in Madison and involves dozens of volunteers each year from Kiwanis, UW and local science businesses and agencies.