SUMMER STEAM CAMP HELPS YOUTH IN CUPERTINO GET EXCITED ABOUT LEARNING

The San Jose Mercury News 
August 17, 2018
By Rachel Basso, Correspondent, Silicon Valley Community News
 

The San Francisco 49ers weren’t the only ones hitting the field to warm up their football skills recently. More than 140 underprivileged youth learned both football and STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts and math —skills, rotating through engaging stations intended to demystify the science behind the sport.

Campers enrolled in YMCA of Silicon Valley’s Summer Day Camp at Stevens Creek Elementary School in Cupertino last month. There, they enjoyed the special STEAM & Football Training Camp program, part of the Bay Area Host Committee and the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers education efforts. The programs runs throughout the San Francisco Bay Area in advance of the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, which will be played at Levi’s Stadium on Jan. 7.

In collaboration with YMCA of Silicon Valley, the organizations launched the exciting new summer series on Tuesday, July 31. The collaboration allows Y Summer Day Camp participants to enjoy five exciting stations of STEAM activities.

Designed to bring science to life through stimulating physical movement, the stations tested camper’s strength, speed, and brain power. At one station, kids raced the 20-yard dash, hustling to set new personal records. Timed first by peers, and second by a stop-watch, they learned about human error and precision measurements. At another station, campers donned shoulder pads to test long-jump skills, experimenting with power, velocity, and acceleration to increase their jump length.

Campers learned the importance of proper nutrition and hydration, refueling with a healthy snack and lots of cold water after an active afternoon. While the kids munched, volunteers and staff explained the importance of eating a balanced diet and drinking lots of water to stay sharp in school, fast on the field, and happy at home. The campers practiced building balanced meals and reading nutrition labels, empowering them with the tools to think critically about how they fuel their bodies.

“Youth from low-income families often lack exposure to STEAM education during the summer months. The STEAM & Football Training Camp series provides youth a unique opportunity to engage with scientific concepts in an accessible way.” Mary Hoshiko Haughey, YMCA of Silicon Valley senior vice president of operations explains. “Introducing STEAM education through sports allows students to build meaningful personal connections with the academic material, opening the door to develop a lifelong love of learning.”

“It’s great to have local organizations like YMCA of Silicon Valley team with us to bring additional STEAM learning opportunities to children in their programs during the summer months,” said Bay Area Host Committee Education Director Jesse Lovejoy. “Our goal with the STEAM and Football Training Camp program is to expose as many Bay Area kids to STEAM leveraging the power of sport, and make these subjects more interesting and approachable to them as they transition into the new school year.”

The experience uncovered the scientific elements hidden in the activities youth already enjoy, in an effort to spark curiosity. When school starts up again in the fall, these young campers will return eager to explore STEAM education opportunities.

Rachel Basso is the marketing communications manager for the YMCA of Silicon Valley. 

Read the original story here:
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/08/17/summer-steam-camp-helps-youth-in-cupertino-get-excited-about-learning/