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STEM<br />
AT THE CLUBS<br />
& IN THE FIELD<br />
40<br />
In <strong>2016</strong> the Clubs boosted Science, Technology,<br />
Engineering, and Mathematics programming at all<br />
six locations, Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon, LaVenture<br />
& Mount Baker Middle Schools, La Conner, and Anacortes,<br />
as well as the Burlington Public Library. Through<br />
this initiative, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County<br />
have increased STEM awareness to more than 1,000 of<br />
the 1,700 youth who attended the Clubs this year.<br />
Moving into the new school year in September, the<br />
focus has been to continue to promote STEM awareness<br />
across the board while increasing STEM proficiencies<br />
in youth 6th grade and up. Beginning with<br />
increasing access to STEM resources, in order to guide<br />
members through developing STEM proficiencies, youth<br />
discover new methods of observing and interacting<br />
with the world around them. This has resulted in more<br />
hands-on projects that have real world applications; for<br />
example—moving from coding exploration to learning<br />
how to design and create smart phone apps.<br />
Beginning September of 2015, the Clubs began an<br />
initiative to increase STEM access through programming<br />
at each of its Clubs and investing in technology<br />
resources. This was accomplished through a generous<br />
partnership with the Tesoro Corporation. Programming<br />
for the second half of the 2015-16 school year involved<br />
incorporating new computers, digital cameras—and<br />
at two Clubs—a set of iPads for daily activities, which<br />
helped to boost member participation in educational<br />
activities. Among the STEM program activities were:<br />
coding exploration, popsicle stick bridges, gardening,<br />
and exploring the world of 3D design. This end of the<br />
school year program rewarded teen participants with<br />
a College Tour Road Trip. Through the summer, Club<br />
staff worked to develop the Tesoro STEM Academy
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