Oceanside CA— Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside (BGCO) received $5,000 from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) for Inspiring Future Leaders through the power of STEM. In an effort to combat summer learning loss, BGCO implemented the STREAMing Ahead Program.
BGCO recognized early on that our youth needed to be better prepared in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) to have the skills needed for future success.
BGCO has a strong focus in Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STREAM) education to engage youth outside the classroom and explore the STREAM fields. STREAMing Ahead is designed to help youth develop a greater interest in STREAM and begin to observe how much these fields are part of modern day life.
BGCO collaborates with many businesses such as Genentech, Women in Aviation, Solutions and Farms Aquaponic. Each of these partners gives youth real life examples of STREAM in action to spark their interest and become inspired by people working in the field.
Summer learning loss is a very real side effect of summer vacation, with most students losing two months of math skills every summer. Summer programs like BGCO’s play a critical role in combatting this loss. Studies have shown that if students are able to participate in organized academic activities during the summer months, they are less likely to experience the losses in academic skills before the start of the next school year.
This past summer, our youth participated in a robust camp program, where experiential outings included a field trip to the Birch Aquarium, where they had hands on opportunities to learn about marine life and marine conservation. Youth also worked in a community garden and visited Valley Heights Ranch, where they were able to harvest strawberries to take home.
“We recognize how important it is to give our youth new opportunities and provide them with the chance to explore hands-on outside of the classroom,” said Jodi Diamond, CEO. “We are thankful for community partners like SDG&E for supporting STREAMing Ahead and helping in the effort to combat summer learning loss.”
For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside please contact Hannah Moss at, call (760) 433-8920, and visit our website BGCOceanside.org or Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/BGCOside .