After School STEM Program Teaches Kids that Science is Fun

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The Family YMCA of the Desert offers a wide variety of children programs, from licensed childcare to sport activities. In partnership with Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC), the YMCA oversees after school programs for children in low income communities, in turn providing homework help, healthy snacks, arts and crafts, computer time, and an assortment of STEM activities.

The CVHC is a nonprofit affordable housing development organization founded in 1982 with the purpose of improving the living conditions of low-income families by constructing and operating affordable housing. Nearly 4,000 homes and apartments for low-income households in Riverside County and Imperial county have been constructed to date.

The STEM program is conducted at the YMCA’s after school sites of the CVHC and other elementary schools in the desert. They are considered enrichment programming that complements the regular school day education children receive.

“STEM prepares children for the future as we evolve into a more technological-driven world. It enhances the academics by enriching the time spent outside the classroom,” stated Catherine Alvarez, the CVHC Program Coordinator.

STEM is represented by four primary disciples: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Subjects in this curriculum include biology, robotics, chemistry, computer science, and mechanical engineering.

“The children truly enjoy the hands-on science experiments, from building structures and figuring out how things work. They’re amazed by the chemical reaction when simple liquids are combined. But most of all, they have learned that science can be fun,” said Alvarez.

Some requirements for participating in the STEM programs include completing a Y registration packet and residing at one of the low-income apartments that provide after school programs. The YMCA serves children from kindergarten through the 11th grade during the school year.

Current funding for the STEM program is from grants to Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Southern California Edison, and Terra Nova. Grants and individual donations earmarked for STEM are what fund the curriculum. Grant funding currently supports the STEM program, as the CVHC continues to write grants to enhance the after school programs.

“We are always looking for additional grant funding to continue with the STEM curriculum for these deserving children. We are grateful to the many funders that encourage STEM activities and shed light on the importance of implementing a STEM curriculum,” said Terri Bona, Director of Fund Development at the Family YMCA of the Desert.

The CVHC hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and in the summer from 1 to 4 p.m. For additional information about the services offered, contact Catherine Alvarez or any CVHC desert location.

Photo by Gabriela Ramirez