Year: 2019

After School Programs: The Benefits Can be Empirically Calculated

In the beginning after school programs, were simply supervision of students after the final school bell. Today it’s so much more. Nowadays after school programs not only focuses on academics but also on the holistic development of the student.

After school programs accelerate test scores, improve homework completion, higher academic performance, enhance physical health, reduce unwanted behaviour and provide a safe environment for the children of working parents.

Some benefits are:

• Create a sense of belonging.
• Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Improve social skills.
• Provide academic support.
• Make learning more fun.
• Provide safety and supervision.
• Build confidence.

Effective after school programs bring a variety of advantages to youth, their families and the community as a whole. They bring positive results for students. However, without extensive resources, it is difficult for program leaders to ensure success in their programs.

The Importance of Measuring Success

There are benefits to measuring program success. It helps to identify what is working and what areas need attention. Thus, continuous improvement leads to positive outcomes. It also helps to draw support from the community, and potential sponsors.

There are 3 Tools and Strategies for Measuring Success

• Goal setting: The best way to start measuring success is by setting and tracking goals. Setting goals provides a clear understanding of what needs to be accomplished
  • why it should be accomplished
  • how to accomplish it
  • if a new program needs to be launched
  • how many new students to enroll
  • decrease staff turnover

The goals have to be realistic and a timeframe has to be set.  These will help you improve or maintain the program quality.

• Data collection and evaluation: Program Data / Parents interest level information is necessary to ensure program quality. It helps to measure goals, assess outcomes and makes adjustments to serve in a better way in each territory. Methods range from surveys, questionnaires, and interviews.
• Skill-based assessments: Students attending after school programs develop many skills. Program leaders must create unique and innovative opportunities to measure students achievements.

To sum up, STEM based After School Programs make learning more fun, build confidence in students and help them develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Things You Should Know About Engineering Camp for Kids

Engineering and STEM Camps for Kids are carefully structured to provide your child the enrichment he/she needs to grow and thrive. They can be in spring, winter, and summer and many varieties, such as half-day camps and full-day camps like the stem camps for kids. Also, there are some holiday break camps, summer camp and winter camp like the stem summer camps for kids.

Benefits:

These camps provide your child with a lot of fun and educational experience. While you are on your busy schedule, your child will not be wasting his/her time either. From the kids engineering camp, he/she will get the opportunities that can prepare him/her for a brighter future ahead.

They will also learn:

• Teamwork: Most of the camps schedule fun and engaging teamwork activities that teach children the value of investing in others.

• Resilience and motivation: Challenging programs help to teach kids how to keep trying. This makes them feel accomplished when they succeed. This, in turn, enhances their will to learn and have a flourishing career.

• Decision-making: The different variety of activities help children establish and build up great decision-making skills, which further helps to build confidence. They will be able to take firm decisions in every step of their life.

Also, the wide range of activities and classes that are offered, encourage children to try new things and develop skill that can be applied throughout their higher education. Advance learning will encourage them to understand what they are studying. They will have a clear concept from the very beginning.

These camps are specially designed to supplement the child’s existing curriculum. They aim to build upon what your child already knows to solidify his or her knowledge in a fun and engaging environment through various activities.

These camps last from one week to ten days with a variety of different sessions that focus on different fields. Many parents find this beneficial because their children can enjoy all of the fun, – educational workshops offered in multiple sessions without experiencing repeat activities.