With Schools Closed, Child Creativity Lab Comes to the Rescue with STEAM!
Although it is a desired and admired trait, creativity is on the decline in the United States. Recent data indicates that many children have become less emotionally expressive, less energetic, less verbally expressive, less imaginative, and, unfortunately, less apt to connect.
STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, and, considered a more modern approach to learning that emphasizes critical thinking and analytical skills in combination with innovation. Integrating art into STEM education benefits children and teens with an opportunity to use both sides of their brains – analytical and creative, ultimately leading to well-rounded thinkers who excel at problem-solving. Art is where Child Creativity Lab comes to the rescue!
Child Creativity Lab has a mission to foster the next generation of critical thinkers, problem solvers, innovators, and leaders through unique hands-on creativity exploration programs. The community is invited to participate in this mission by sharing ‘up-cyclables’ (list attached), including everyday refuse products that can be converted to robot making kits. Using unconventional materials makes STEM more inclusive and less intimidating to children despite their family’s professional demographic.
CCL ensures that K-8th grade students throughout Orange County have access to high-quality Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) educational programming.
The benefits of CCL’s programming are widespread, with an impact beyond the students served. Through STEAM + CREATIVITY Challenge programs, students demonstrate improvements in creativity and critical thinking through brainstorming techniques, new idea formation, evaluation, and problem-solving skills. These challenges foster communication skills as students learn to discuss obstacles as a part of the learning process—not only in STEAM but throughout life.
Before COVID-19, CCL had 24,883 youth engaged in CCL’s STEAM + CREATIVITY programming, 70% of whom are from underserved communities.
CCL executed 134 Creativity Challenge Workshops at ‘Title I’ schools and community organizations in Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Mesa, San Juan Capistrano, Buena Park, and Santa Ana Districts.
Volunteers dedicated 3,405 hours of their time to encourage creativity amongst the youth in their communities.
And, 17,795 pounds of waste were diverted from landfills, thanks to donated waste materials that were used as the content for STEAM-based Challenge “tool kits”.
When California schools began to close because of the COVID-19 pandemic, CCL canceled its workshops and events in line with California’s “Stay at Home” mandate and immediately pivoted to STEAM + Creativity programming to a virtual model.
In partnership with schools, there was an overwhelming request for at-home STEAM content, high-quality resources to keep their students engaged, and learning while navigating the new realities of distance learning. CCL’s instructors quickly mobilized and began developing virtual curriculum—transitioning to online channels with free virtual curriculum for schools and community partners via YouTube, CCL’s website https://www.childcreativitylab.org/, and social media. Unlike other free content available, CCL has woven Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core throughout all activities.
As giving back matters, CCL continues to donate STEAM kits to childcare locations open to for essential workers and first-responders. More than $6,000 worth of STEAM Challenge Kits were dispersed along with fabric for face masks these past months. CCL strives to best meet schools, students, and parents’ needs by adapting avenues of distribution throughout the public health crisis.
By partnerships with other like-minded nonprofits, Child Creativity Lab can reach a broader spectrum of children. One example is STEAM kit delivery to Boys and Girls Clubs, who are in great need of content as they reopen their services to the community.
CCL’s YouTube channel has engaged nearly 6,000 unique viewers since April, who have watched 150 hours of STEAM content. View CCL’s free online content here: https://www.youtube.com/user/Childcreativity https://www.childcreativitylab.org/creative-home.
Although COVID19 interrupted plans for in-classroom instruction, educators have been busy behind the scenes adapting programming to the Orange County community’s ever-changing conditions.
As all indicators suggest that virtual learning will continue in the foreseeable future, CCL is poised and ready to offer its virtual programming into the fall and spring semesters.
As we look ahead to the coming months and year, CCL is committed to serving the Orange County community in the following ways:
- Strengthening relationships with new and existing school partners, including providing free STEAM + CREATIVITY Challenge programs to additional Title I schools and students across Orange County.
- Partnering with community-based nonprofit organizations to provide opportunities for deeper engagement with STEAM programming by providing virtual content or in-person lessons, working with smaller groups of children for longer lessons.
- Enhancing teacher engagement through increased STEAM educator training sessions.
- Engaging with corporate partners who provide leadership and inspiration to students via magnet programs.
- And, CCL is moving to a new space to be a “Museum of Creativity.” This location will afford ample space for students to comply with distancing guidelines. Additionally, it will be a comfortable, inspiring, and lively venue for corporate volunteers and groups.
As Orange County navigates the challenges of 2020, Child Creativity Lab remains committed to helping our children become well rounded critical thinkers, problem solvers, innovators, and future leaders.
To learn more, please visit childcreativitylab.org.
If you/your business might like to get involved, please contact CEO Tracey Hill via email: traceyhill@childcreativity.org, or via phone: 310-739-0072.