Weekly Media Roundup: August 18, 2021

New Program Aims to Get Native American Students Engaged in STEM Education, KOCO 5 (Oklahoma)

Thanks to funding from the National Science Foundation, three afterschool programs serving Native American students will offer culturally relevant, hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming, utilizing technology such as virtual reality goggles and 3D printers. The programs are part of an effort to spark Native American students’ interest in STEM careers. “We know right now that Native Americans are underrepresented across all the STEM fields,” Dr. Nicole Colston, an assistant research professor at Oklahoma State University, told KOCO 5. “We've got to start way back in middle school and elementary school, getting them interested and knowledgeable about the topic.”

YMCA Tackles Afterschool Needs in New Haven, Fox 61 (Connecticut)

This fall, more than 45 students in New Haven, Connecticut will get help with homework and take part in fun activities including chess, swimming, STEM projects, basketball, and more at the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA afterschool program. The program offers a sliding scale for tuition so families can participate regardless of income. “If there is going to be a time when children may get into situations that may be less than admirable, it is going to be those after school hours if they don’t have somebody to keep an eye on them,” Tim Bartlett with the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA told Fox 61. “So not only do we keep an eye on them, (but) we also provide activities that are enriching, educational and fun all the same time, when they might not have that opportunity at home.”

Midland County Afterschool Enrollment Close to Pre-Pandemic Levels, WJRT (Michigan)

During the pandemic, the Greater Midland Community Center was only able to accommodate 40% of its families but as the new school year begins, the afterschool program in Midland County, Michigan is seeing enrollment sharply increase. “This year we are starting to see numbers that are a lot more comparable to our 2019 numbers,” Greater Midland North and Coleman Family Centers Executive Director Andrea Seacrease told WJRT. The program is hoping to hire more staff to meet the increased demand.

Bikes Raffled Off to Linden STEM Program Students Who Built Them, Union News Daily (New Jersey)

Students attending the five-week Summer STEM Academy in Linden, New Jersey enjoyed a variety of sports, enrichment classes and STEM activities, including a group project building a BMX bike. “Our students took such pride in each step (of constructing the bike). They were eager to see the finished project, and the students learned every step of the way important skills for STEM,” Soehl Middle School Director of Grants Isabella Scocozza told the Union News Daily. “Students enjoyed this activity so much; we’re even looking to incorporate it in the afterschool program for the fall.” The completed bikes were raffled off to ten students at the end of the summer program.