Weekly Media Roundup: October 10, 2018

West Community Center Focuses on Creativity at Afterschool Program, Trib Live (Pennsylvania)

In the maker space studio at the Lauri Ann West Community Center in O’Hara, Pennsylvania, kindergarten through fifth grade students explore animation, sewing, crocheting, cardboard art and more. By providing a variety of open-ended, hands-on projects, the maker space format is designed to develop students’ creativity and critical thinking skills. The studio is part of the After School Care Arts and Enrichment program, which also offers physical activity, outdoor play, homework help, science experiments and art lessons. “In this type of environment, kids really get to explore their creative sides,” Program Manager Jason Fate told Trib Live.

Aspire Makes a Difference at Elm Street, Rome News-Tribune (Georgia)

In Georgia, the Aspire afterschool program uses data to increase academic achievement and tailor programming to students’ needs. Aspire provides third to fifth grade students with academic support and activities including dance, woodworking, art, and Zumba. The free afterschool program uses federally-provided curricula to gather data on students’ progress; it is then shared with teachers to ensure students’ afterschool learning complements what happens during the school day. “For example, if we work on fractions during Aspire and we see that some of our students are struggling, then we can pass this information on to teachers who can spend extra time in this area of study,” teacher Penny Akinson told the Rome News-Tribune.

After-School Program to Focus on Health, The Garrett County Republican (West Virginia)

This year, the Partners After School @ Accident program in West Virginia will add a variety of activities to promote healthy eating and physical activity among third to fifth grade students. Funded by the Garrett County Health Department, the free afterschool program will provide nutrition education, structured and unstructured recreation time, sports lessons taught by guest instructors, life skills workshops, and opportunities for student leadership. “Kids Teach days have been very popular in the past,” tutor Cara Jones told the Garrett County Republican. “Allowing youth to teach the rest of the group, including the adults, any topic they are passionate about has led to great lessons and an increase in student confidence.”

DIG Expanding into Barnwell, Allendale, The Augusta Chronicle (Georgia)

In South Carolina, the Dreams, Imagination & Gift (DIG) development program builds pathways to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers for students in rural school districts. DIG’s afterschool programs expose students to a variety of STEM fields through hands-on, engaging activities. The organization’s long-term to goal is to provide STEM-based afterschool programs in every rural school district in South Carolina. “We want to take the fear away from problem solving,” founder Steven Brown told the August Chronicle. “We want to make sure all of our kids realize their true potential and set the bar based on their potential and not what’s available.