22 Oct YUSA Awards a $15,000 STEM Access and Equity Grant to the YMCA of Greater Kansas City

YMCA of Greater Kansas City recently received a grant for $15,000 from the YUSA STEM Access and Equity Grant to purchase additional STEAM curriculum, hardware, software, and furnishings for physical spaces designated for teens.

Our project will focus on 1) outreaching to schools and community groups to engage more (and younger) youth in existing STEAM program offerings at the NKCY US Technology Lab, the Linwood Y robotics club, and STEAM innovation camps; and 2) identifying and engaging youth champions within the target population of girls and diverse youth to help inform programming (e.g. helping assess the interest for coding clubs for girls, launching Girls in Gaming curriculum,  offering Women in STEAM guest speaker series), implementing STEAM activities that foster healthy competition and participation between youth within a center, and then across centers – similar to the model for YMCA youth sports. Youth STEAM will include cross-center science fairs, robotics competitions, and e-sports gaming tournaments, and a Youth in STEAM Summit.

The Kansas City Y understands and embraces both formal and informal learning experiences that occur outside of a structured curriculum. Youth in Y Club programming also experience informal learning and maker opportunities through hands-on projects and field trips. STEAM activities are also incorporated into member benefits for all twelve of Kansas City Y’s membership centers such as Kids Zone (childcare provided for members) and Kids Night Out (monthly respite for parents). By engaging student interests through exploration, coaching, and dialogue, learning journeys occur. Informal education, particularly in STEAM, engages students in activities which mitigate the effects of the achievement gap and promote equality in and access to STEAM.

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City was launched in 1860 as the seventh YMCA in North America. It was organized to provide a safe refuge for young men coming to the urban environment to work and helped prevent them from falling victim to the negative influences commonly found in such areas. The Y’s mission has evolved over the years, but what remains constant is the organization’s commitment to strengthening community. The Y engages men, women, and children, regardless of age, income, or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.