Published May 22, 2019 06:00
Name: Darby
Age: 9
BGC Club Location: West End Hub
What is your favourite activity at the Boys and Girls Club?
Playing Dodgeball
How does coming to the Boys and Girls Club make you feel?
I like it because I can meet new people.
What is your favourite memory of the Boys and Girls Club?
When I got to meet all of the teachers. They were so nice to me.
What should everyone know about the Boys and Girls Club?
This place is a place that you can always come and you’ll be welcome.
STEM education - that is learning focused in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math- aims to develop young minds into critical thinkers, increase science literacy, and enable young people to become innovators. The team at the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area understands the importance of learning STEM concepts at an early age, and in recognizing the value of this type of learning, launched their Bricks 4 Kidz programming five years ago.
Bricks 4 Kidz programs provide an extraordinary atmosphere for students to build unique creations, play games, and have loads of fun while learning using LEGO Bricks. While some people may think that LEGO is just a toy - one you played with as a child, and now step on as you walk through the house as a parent - anyone who has seen a Bricks 4 Kidz session first hand knows that LEGO is much more than that. With the proper guidance, LEGO can be a vehicle for participants to learn about friction, gravity, gears, axles, forces, and structures - all concepts linked to the Ontario Science Curriculum. With the mantra “we learn, we build, we play”, Bricks 4 Kidz embraces children’s creativity to help build motorized creations. The activities are designed to trigger young children’s lively imaginations and build their self-confidence. Specially designed Bricks 4 Kidz project kits and theme-based models provide kids with the opportunity to solve problems and develop an appreciation for how things work, while having fun and socializing in a non-competitive atmosphere.
Every Bricks 4 Kidz program provides a hands-on learning and building experience focused on STEM concepts. During program, participants build models which provide kids with the opportunity to learn a new scientific vocabulary. Lessons focus on topics such as the laws of motion, exploring concepts in physical science, and practical applications in engineering while requiring children to apply what they’ve learned to their build. Children use their creativity and analytical skills to discover viable solutions to problems presented at the start of each lesson and although they may not realize it, they use engineering skills to construct models, such as bridges, towers and roller coasters. When it comes to developing their math skills, children are given the opportunity to estimate, count, measure and build with LEGO Bricks. All of these concepts are explored in a fun, team-based environment where young people can also build important social skills!
“During sessions, Bricks 4 Kidz staff are there to offer assistance, but more often take a step back to let the kids think for themselves and allow the gears to turn in their minds,” Sarah Utting, Manager of Bricks 4 Kidz at the Boys and Girls Club, explains.
Bricks 4 Kidz provides a variety of programming both onsite at the Boys and Girls Club East and West End, as well as off-site programming. From the classroom to weekend birthday parties, the curriculum has a diverse range of themes and builds to choose from. Bricks 4 Kidz programs offered through the Boys and Girls Club include: camps, field trips, birthday parties, in-school lunch hour programs, after-school programs and evening programs.
The program has become so popular that the Bricks 4 Kidz summer camp is already full for this year. In the meantime, Bricks 4 Kidz is offering programs at the Boys & Girls Club’s new location at 695 Innovation Drive in the East End on Wednesday evenings from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.
In addition to all of the STEM-based fun previously mentioned, Bricks 4 Kidz also offers a unique event on Friday nights called “Kidz Night Out”. With the tagline, “Leave Your Parents at Home”, the evening includes Bricks 4 Kidz educational builds, a pizza dinner and time in the Boys and Girls Club’s Homestead KidsZone Jungle Gym while parents can enjoy an evening out or get some errands done. This popular event occurs monthly with the last Kidz Night Out of the school year on Friday, June 12th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Although the Bricks 4 Kidz programming currently offered is targeted towards children aged 6-11, the program is adaptable and the Boys and Girls Club is looking to expand to offer STEM programs for children ages 3 to 5 in the near future. For more information or to register your child online, visit www.bgckingston.ca/bricks. Parents can also register their child in person at the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area's West End location at the Frontenac Mall.
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Thank you to our donors!
$100 – In Memory of Barry O’Connor
$500 - Don Heath
$200 – David Day
$100 – Bernice Westlake
$100 – Anonymous
$50 – Anonymous
$100 – Anonymous
$75 – Anonymous
$50 –Anonymous
$100 – Anonymous
$25 - Anonymous
Total Raised to Date: $65,717
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Whig-Standard/Boys and Girls Club Campaign How to Donate By cheque:
To the address below and indicate if you would like to keep your donation anonymous.
By credit card (Visa, MasterCard): Call 613-507-3306, ext. 110
By cash: At the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston and Area West End Hub, 1300 Bath Rd., Kingston, ON, K7M 4X4
Online: At www.bgckingston.ca , click on the secure “Donate Now” button on the top right side of the website.
Tax Receipt: A tax receipt will be mailed to you within four weeks.
Questions: Heather Hayhow, heatherh@bgckingston.ca
Thank you for supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area!