Central Pennsylvania families at home can join a free summer program called “Summer STEM Adventure!” on July 1st. In a recent statement, radio station WITF announced that their program is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Intermediate Units (IUs) 12, 13 and 15 in order to provide a summer camp that sparks interest in STEM and is accessible for everyone.
The “summer camp at home” program will guide families through a combination of PBS KIDS television programs, discussion questions, structured craft activities, and career exploration for children in kindergarten through fourth grade, according to WITF.
“WITF is proud to partner with our local intermediate units to create this innovative outreach. We are excited for families to play and learn together this summer!” Debbie Riek, WITF’s director of education, said.
Since many families do not have craft resources or broadcast television signals at home, WITF has also assembled 3,000 “Grab and Go” resource bags and 300 antennas for IUs to distribute to partner locations that serve families directly.
Each free resource bag contains pencils, a pencil sharpener, crayons, colored pencils, paper plates, construction paper, safety scissors, a glue stick, and the curriculum packet with instructions in English and Spanish.
“The Summer STEM Adventure activities and packets gave us an opportunity to continue engaging students across the eight-county region,” Susan Voigt, CAIU’s educational services supervisor, said. “It truly was a team effort to pull this together, and we have developed a strong partnership that I hope will last indefinitely!”
During the eight-week camp, families watch PBS KIDS programs like “Wild Kratts,” and “Hero Elementary” on WITF TV to learn about topics like animal habitats, camouflage, mimicry, and structure. A discussion and vocabulary guide help residents talk to their children about what they are watching. Families can also work together on an animal habitat design project using the materials in the “Grab and Go” bags.
In addition, the curriculum also includes introductions to STEM careers for young learners, a suggested book list and links to extension STEM games and activities online.
IUs will distribute the 3,000 “Grab and Go” bags and 300 antennas to Bermudian Springs, Tuscarora, Lincoln Charter School, West York, Upper Adams, Gettysburg, York Academy Regional Charter School, Chambersburg, School District for the City of York, LIU Early Childhood Classrooms, School District of Lancaster, Penn Manor School District, Steelton-Highspire Elementary, Susquehanna Township School District, Harrisburg School District, and Camp Curtin YMCA. Any families that do not receive a “Grab and Go” bag but are interested in participating in “Summer STEM Adventure!” can access the activity sheets, book list and extension activities online at witf.org/stem.