VENTURA COUNTY — Celebrating science, technology, engineering and math, the Ventura County STEM Network recently presented the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme with this year’s STEM Champion Award for its ongoing work and commitment to teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in Ventura County at the 2018 STEMtastic Celebration Awards Ceremony.
“For the past four years, BGCOP has offered a variety of specific programs focused on science, technology, engineering and math education to more than 10,400 community youth, ages 6-18 years old,” said Erin Antrim, BGCOP chief executive officer. “Our programs give kids the hands-on science experience they enjoy while reinforcing concepts they’ve learned in the classroom. Having the opportunity to get creative and work with their friends can be really fun, and we see the value of that year after year.”
The STEM Champions award is given to individuals, companies and organizations who have been key champions of high-quality STEM learning.
“STEMtastic! gives us the opportunity to recognize educational settings that have implemented high-quality STEM learning,” said Chemistry Professor and Interim Director of Educational Partnerships Phil Hampton, Ph.D., who is also director of VC STEM. “These settings can be schools, after-school programs, museums—any programs that support kids in and out of the classroom.”
In providing educational programs kids enjoy, the Club has a variety of STEM-related programs, including SeaPerch, the STEAM Academy and its 3-D printing program.
For over 10 years, the SeaPerch program has brought together Club staff and members, in partnership with the United States Navy, giving youth the opportunity to learn problem solving, teamwork and technical applications, as well as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as they build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Each year, once the ROVs are built, the group of 15-20 youth take them to a local pool to see their hard work put into action.
BGCOP’s STEAM Academy is an interdisciplinary and applied approach that is coupled with hands-on, project-based learning and is available to all Club members. The STEAM Academy uses a wide variety of programs and includes projects such as learning aerodynamics through paper airplanes. The Club has partnered with California State University, Channel Islands and local libraries. Club members in the STEAM Academy share their STEAM knowledge with other youth at CSUCI’s yearly science carnival.
The Club has also partnered with CSUCI to provide members with a 3D printing program. Since 2015, Club members have been taught how to turn their own computer-designed creations into three-dimensional objects using a 3D printer.
The Ventura County STEM Network (VC STEM) is a group of key decision makers from education, business, parent organizations and community agencies dedicated to improving academic access and excellence. As a network, they work together to bring about systemic change that will provide students, teachers, families, adults and businesses with the skills, knowledge and workforce needed to be successful in life and in the global economy.
The Boys & Girls Club has served the youth of Oxnard and Port Hueneme for over 60 years. With three full-service clubs and 17 school program sites, the organization is one of the largest of its kind in California. The Club provides programs for more than 10,400 youth and teens in three priority outcome areas: Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles. For more information please visit www.BGCOP.org