This school year has presented many challenges for schools across the country, including our LPS classrooms. In addition to constant absences for quarantining, one of our LPS schools was hit hard by Hurricane Ida in the fall which closed school for two weeks, 3 LPS schools were forced to return to virtual learning for a week because there weren’t enough bus drivers to transport students, and many LPS teachers are picking up additional workloads to make up for staff shortages. Despite countless challenges, our LPS teachers are continuing to support their students’ STEM education beyond their curriculum by facilitating connections between our over 850 pre-scientists and their STEM pen pals. This year, 2022, we anticipate our STEM pen pals and pre-scientists will exchange about 3,000 more letters for our 100 letter opening parties remaining this year. This summer we plan to grow our program connecting even more STEM professionals with pre-scientists next school year.