Our mission at Level Up Village (LUV) is to prepare students to become compassionate global citizens, while equipping them with the skills they need to navigate an increasingly global economy. With Level Up Village, your students can learn everything from CAD & 3D printing, to coding video games and animations, to science-centered classes in water chemistry and anatomy – all while collaborating with global partner students! See what educators are saying about our programs.
STEM programs are gaining significant traction in after school programs across the country. A recent survey by the Afterschool Alliance revealed that 70% of parents whose children participate in after school programs say those programs include STEM offerings. And demand is on the rise.
By Heather Womersley, Teacher at All Saints Academy
In my recent blog post about the Level Up Village Global Web Designers course I taught this spring, I shared stories about the terrific interactions and cultural exchange that took place between my students and their global partners at iEARN Pakistan. In this post, I will delve more deeply into the specific web design skills they acquired (HTML, CSS and Javascript) and the outcome of their global collaboration.
It was the last day of the Level Up Village Global Inventors 3D printing course I was teaching, and as I was watching the students helping each other tighten the switches on their solar flash lights, the word “Connection” came to mind.
Guest blog post by Chuck Ristano, The Independence School
In the fall, seven second graders received a truly interactive, global experience – without having to leave the comfort of our campus! Under the tutelage of Bernadette Gilmore, Director of Academics and Curriculum, these students participated in the after-school STEM program entitled “Global Storybook Engineers.”
Guest post by Margaret Ann Minihan at Louise S. McGehee School
At Louise S. McGehee School, an all-girls school in New Orleans, Louisiana, we know about teaching girls. Research tells us that girls learn differently and are motivated differently than male students. Girls learn best through hands-on activities that give them the opportunity to help others and make a difference in the world. In light of this research, McGehee offers its students several service learning opportunities in the regular curriculum.
This year, we’re trying a new program that is further inspiring our girls’ passion for STEAM (STEM + arts). Our students are learning hands-on Science and Engineering skills, while collaborating one-on-one with partners in developing countries. This innovative program, provided by Level Up Village (LUV), is a welcome addition to our afterschool enrichment program.
We know STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) is important, but how do we make these subjects accessible and approachable for children? Starting early may be the key. Here are four reasons why you shouldn’t wait to introduce STEAM: