Services to Youth Facet

 

For the current program year the Services To Youth (STY) facet has decided to focus on STEM.  We are currently partnering with the Dorothy I. Height Community Academy Public Charter Schools (CAPS), Amos 5 Campus, to implement a STEM program for 3rd - 5th grade girls.  The vision is to introduce students to STEM concepts through hands-on activities, history and mentorship, hence the name S.I.S.T.E.R.s Club, which stands for Students Interested in Science Technology Engineering and Reading.  The “reading” portion of the acronym has a two-fold meaning, where it is meant to 1) underscore the importance of exceptional reading and writing skills in science and 2) to underscore the importance of learning the contributions of Blacks in science.    

 

Each month we hold one hour and 15 minute sessions during which the students become a different scientist that month, for example a Civil Engineer or Medical Doctor.  We provide a 10-minute discussion describing the tasks performed by that scientist, explain the project of the day and then split into groups.  The Links sisters serve as the scientists‘ lab assistants, by reading instructions or performing calculations.  By the end of the school year we hope to spark an interest in STEM areas by providing general descriptions of a variety of scientific areas using fun and engaging activities.