New STEM Centers prepare Club members for the jobs of tomorrow

Members of the Vestal Club and the Lake City Elementary School Club were thrilled to find something new and exciting in their Clubs last week. Thanks to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), in conjunction with the Cal Ripken, Sr., Foundation, these two Clubs now have brand new STEM Centers. These centers aim to see members improve their test scores, reading ability, and their proficiency in the four STEM areas – science, technology, engineering, and math.

Each center features new state-of-the-art STEM equipment and furniture for Club members to learn and engage with hands-on STEM tools. This includes such things as snap circuits, Bee-Bots, and Ozobots, each of which is designed to push students to improve their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

Staff from the Cal Ripken Sr., Foundation provided a four-hour training session for Club staff and volunteers. The training included hands-on demonstrations of the education products included with the new STEM Center as well as in-depth discussions on creating engaging curriculum. STEM studies stimulate young minds today and prepare a workforce for the jobs of tomorrow.

“The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is excited to bring year-round STEM educational opportunities to organizations making a tremendous impact on the lives of underserved youth like the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley. Through a strategic partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, we will be installing 27 new STEM Centers at community-based youth-serving organizations and elementary schools in seven states and 25 cities throughout Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Each STEM Center will be equipped with technology, educational STEM products, and a custom-designed curriculum as well as training for all mentors and teachers to deliver a fun and engaging STEM program. We are so grateful to be a part of this wonderful collaborative STEM initiative that will impact over 10,000 school-age children.”

– Steve Salem, President & CEO of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation