Weekly Media Roundup: May 26, 2021

Michigan Science Center Brings Traveling Science Program Back To Metro Detroit, WWJ-TV (Michigan)

Thanks to financial support from Aramco Americas, the Michigan Science Center will once again offer its Traveling Science Program at local libraries, community centers and schools this summer. “It’s important to find ways to inspire young people, and there is no better time to do that than during the summer season when children have time to play and explore the outdoors in Michigan’s wonderful natural environment,” Christian Greer, president and CEO of the Michigan Science Center, told WWJ-TV. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade will explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities, including electricity workshops and space exploration.

Fort Wayne Parks and Rec community youth centers receive new kitchen upgrades, WANE-TV (Indiana)

Four community youth centers in Fort Wayne, Indiana have newly renovated kitchens, just in time for their summer programming. “Our youth centers are not just a place for recreation, socialization, and education. They are also a place where the youth of our neighborhoods are learning about making healthy food choices and receiving nutritious meals throughout the year,” Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Director Steve McDaniel told WANE-TV. Jennings Center, McMillen Park Community Center, Cooper Center and Weisser Park received new kitchen appliances as well as upgraded plumbing and electrical systems. The four sites provide afterschool programming during the school year as well as summer programs.

A Message to Summer-Learning Providers: Make Equity a Priority, Education Week Market Brief

A household survey commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance shows disturbing trends in terms of which children have access to summer learning opportunities and which children are left behind. “Parents in higher-income families spend five times as much on summer programs for their children and are three times as likely to have a child in a summer program than parents in low-income families,” Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant told Education Week Market Brief. At a briefing highlighting the report last week, out-of-school time leaders recommended programs be mindful of the language they use to engage families, take advantage of opportunities to partner with schools, and utilize funds included in the American Rescue Plan to boost equity. They also suggested creative communication strategies to ensure families of all backgrounds are aware of available summer programs.

New Mexico Summer Programs for Youth Include New Internships, The Associated Press

In the summer of 2019, one in three children in New Mexico were not in a summer learning program, though their parents wanted to enroll them, according to a survey commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance. This summer, school districts and nonprofit partners across the state are working to increase access to summer programs to help students recover from the pandemic. The state has also allocated $10 million in pandemic relief funds to create summer internship opportunities for high schoolers, including internships at summer learning programs. “I think there’s a lot that [high schoolers] can do in our summer program setting,” Colby Wilson, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Central New Mexico, told the Associated Press. “And it’s good for the high school kids to get that experience, just basic soft skills of showing up on time and working with a team and planning for different programs.”