WQLN PBS Partners with YMCA of Greater Erie to Deliver STEM Project Kits to Local Children

Erie, PA – WQLN PBS puts early learning in the spotlight as students in PreK through 5^th grade navigate a summer of learning in the middle of a global pandemic.

“Fighting off the summer slide is never easy, but this year it came with added challenges. So, community partners like WQLN PBS and the YMCA stepped up to provide local children with the resources they need to bring learning to life all summer long,” said Kathy Woodard, WQLN Education Manager.

WQLN PBS is distributing Grab and Go Bags to 500 students through the YMCA of Erie starting July 24 through August 28. The content of these bags is all aligned with PBS Kids STEM-related activities, including COVID19 parent social and emotional resources. During the first week of distribution, children received a plethora of art supplies needed for all subsequent weekly family STEM projects, including a book donated by Hooked on Books for Kids and Kiwanis Club of Erie. A weekly project kit is included.

Here are some of the STEM project kits.

1. Cat in the Hat Float Your Boat (DIY Sailboat kit) paired with an activity sheet
2. Get Bugged Out with Wild Kratts (Firefly bug jar kit) paired with a Wild Kratts Wild Life Journal
3. Bird Watching with Nature Cat (DIY bird house) paired with Nature Cat Bird Journal
4. Explore the Weather with Nature Cat (Weather wheel kit) paired with Weather Tracker

Each week, a WQLN PBS KIDS “Share What You Learned” handout is included and children are encouraged to watch a PBS KIDS program.

“Building community partnerships with like-minded nonprofits like WQLN strengthens supports for families. The academic disparities in our communities are widening during the COVID-19 pandemic and putting educational materials directly in the hands of parents and caregivers is an important step in bridging the gap,” said Tammy Roche, YMCA of Greater Erie VP, Marketing Communications.