Previously Funded Programs

The Driskill Foundation supports an innovative project to bring state-of-the-art flight simulation technology to Air Force Academy High School (AFAHS) of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in partnership with STEMulation Learning Systems, CPS, and AeroStars. The Flight Simulation Laboratory further elevates and demonstrates the novel Aerospace-based learning mission of AFAHS administration, staff, and students. The technology aids classroom instruction through a combination of highly engaging, hands-on flight simulation technology and exercises, supports the cross-subject curriculum and empowers students to receive a private pilot license if wanted. As it has been implemented in other aviation-oriented schools, the program led to a deeper understanding of mathematics, physics, geography, and communication through their experiences in the Flight Simulation Lab. This learning approach has already been proven to work: test schools scores nearly doubled at an Aerospace-based high school based in Minnesota. The Flight Simulation Lab used at AFAHS is identical to that in Minnesota. As AFAHS is already a high performing school, the program will continue to support those students in their academic journey and lead to even greater success.

With help from The Walter and Lucienne Driskill Foundation, ALS provides research and patient services, promotes awareness, and advocates in state and federal government on issues related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The Walter and Lucienne Driskill Foundation supports The Alzheimer’s Association's mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease, to provide care and support to those affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia.

The Museum of Science and Industry’s Center for Advancement of Science Education (CASE) was created to inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in STEM.

Chicago Lights empowers children and communities facing poverty to thrive academically, secure economic stability, lead healthy lives, and build community.

The Walter and Lucienne Driskill Foundation helps NHF further the awareness of headache and migraine as legitimate neurobiological diseases, and provide headache relief, news and information.

The Walter S. and Lucienne Driskill Graduate Training Program supports PHD graduate student training in life sciences at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine.

The Walter S. and Lucienne B. Driskill Graduate Training Program in Life Sciences (DGP) supports PhD graduate student training in life sciences at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine with particular, but not exclusive, emphasis on recruiting and retaining superb and highly competitive candidates for the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at Feinberg and leading to a duel MD-PhD degree. The students who participate in this program are recognized as “Driskill Scholars.” The Driskill Foundation commitment provides living stipends, tuition and coverage in the Northwestern student health services.

Programs include: PhD, PhD/MPH, and MD/PhD students
Total number of students graduated since fall 2011: 189

Current positions of several graduated students: Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Health Science Analyst, National Institutes of Health; Research Investigator, Bristol Meyers Squibb; Postdoctoral Research Associate (various institutions including Harvard Medical School, University of Chicago, Washington University, Yale University, Vanderbilt University, US Navy, Mayo Clinic, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Stanford University); Biotechnology Equity Research Associate, JMP Group; Senior Manager, Business Analytics and Insights, Pfizer; Patent Agent, McDonnell, Boehnen, Hulbert & Berghoff LLP; Research Scientist, Bayer Pharma AG; Senior Associate, Global Regulatory Affairs, Oncology, Johnson & Johnson; Associate Scientific Director, Medical Affairs Oncology, Abbvie; Assistant Professor, Livingstone College; Microbiologist, FDA; Consultant, The Boston Consulting Group; Clinical Microbiology Fellow, Mayo Clinic; HMedical Writer, Novo Norodisk

Student-authored publications (2015-2016 academic school year): 91

Number of students winning individual fellowships, 2014-2016 academic years: 17. Those fellowships are from: National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, Ford Foundation, and American Society for Microbiology

Wisconsin Science Festival's mission is to cultivate curiosity and engagement in science and technology. Driskill's support helped the festival expand its reach and grow its programs.

Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE), NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering’s summer research program or New York City high school students, lets students work alongside practicing scientists and engineers while using state-of-the-art equipment and technologies and contribute in a meaningful way to their lab’s ongoing work.

A high proportion of ARISE students are drawn from demographic groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines and careers such as women and minorities.

The program prepares participants for college admission and success through immersion in Life Sciences, Computer and Data Sciences, or Engineering research and helps them view their own future in a STEM career.

"The Driskill Foundation’s gift will support half of the ARISE 2015 cohort of 38 students and their host labs’ materials and graduate student summer stipends. With this gift, we can also provide ARISE students college-level coursework on the scientific method, the ethics, and history of scientific research and technology, as well as writing and public speaking skills."

Ben Esner, Director, Center for K12 STEM Education NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering

The Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit medical practice and medical research group based in Rochester, Minnesota. It employs more than 4,500 physicians and scientists and 57,100 allied health staff.

The Walter and Lucienne Driskill Foundation has long-supported the Museum of Science and Industry and The Wanger Family Fab Lab, Chicago’s most extensive publicly-accessible digital fabrication laboratory.

Fabrication Laboratory – The Museum of Science and Industry’s Center for Advancement of Science Education (CASE) was created to inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in STEM. This unique approach engages youth directly and supports the families, teachers, schools and communities that help them make decisions about school and careers. Through targeted program areas such as science teacher education, after-school science clubs, learning labs, hands-on science activities and exhibits, CASE propels children to find their passion in STEM.

The Wanger Family Fab Lab is Chicago’s most extensive publicly-accessible digital fabrication laboratory. The lab is outfitted with design software, laser cutters, milling machines, 3-D printers and more and continues to expand and attract guests. The machines available to visitors are identical to machines used in real industry, creating immediate and relevant connections. The lab engages 12,000 guests annually including students in Innovation Clubs where they learn in-depth digital design and fabrication in just 10 weeks. In addition to fabrication, the lab offers a unique opportunity to support computer science learning. This is especially relevant with the recently announced 2016 Computer Science for All commitment by the Obama Administration.

"I am so excited to be joining the team at the Driskill Foundation and serving on the Board of Directors. I have seen firsthand the impact the Foundation is making to improve science education, ensuring that the next generation of scientists are inspired to innovate and propel science forward. At MSI, we strive to inspire inventive genius in everyone – and the Driskill Foundation supports this vision by contributing to the Museum’s education programs. I feel so lucky to get to help MSI and other worthy institutions make an impact. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s innovators if we can just turn that spark of curiosity into a drive to solve problems."

Crystal Bowyer, External Affairs, Museum of Science and Industry

The Walter and Lucienne Driskill Foundation provides support for the University's science mentorship program, which allows high schoolers to interact one-on-one with mentoring scientists.

The Oregon Health & Science University program provides funding for high school students to engage one-on-one with a scientist mentor to learn the scientific method, gain experience in analyzing and writing about scientific papers, and then actively participate in clinical or translational research. The goal is to nationalize this program and help spur an interest in STEM education.

With the generous support from the Driskill Foundation, we are able to further our brain tumor research and patient care, allow under-represented minority medical students rotations at a major research hospital, and engage high school students in scientific research. It is undeniable that the Foundation is committed to furthering medical research and promoting underserved populations in medicine and science. We are immensely grateful for their philanthropy.

The Slingshots program is designed to help kids grow healthy and resilient. They offer many programs to teens, to which they can go to and learn about things that interest them and that can help them in the future. Some of the programs include carpentry, culinary, creative writing, and more! They also offer counseling for kids where they can sit and talk about their lives in a safe environment and learn how to help reduce stress and anxiety. Slingshots have over 900 volunteer hours and are always looking for more. These volunteers range from talented individuals helping teach these teens new tasks for their future or parents and teachers who bring clothes and food to help support these kids in need. 

he Driskill Foundation has given grants to Slingshots that will allow them to start a new carpentry shop in their building and to buy all of the necessary tools and equipment for it! The carpentry shop will enable kids to have hands-on experience with professional equipment that will be taught by professionals who know how to use them. This will help them succeed down the road with future careers that may require these types of skills.

The Driskill Foundation has provided a grant to fully equipped a kitchen that will help teach the needed culinary arts skills to teens.  With the help of a professional cook, teens will learn the basic skills of cooking, learn their way around the kitchen, learn spices and many other skills that will prepare and inspire them as they enter the working world.

To learn more about Slingshots go to www.slingshotschicago.com, or you can donate to us the Driskill Foundation, and we will gladly give them your grant in your name.