Making STEM Accessible with Level Up Kids

This summer Beckett & Andie will be spending a week with the instructors at Level Up Kids. Level Up Kids is an active, inspiring place filled with friends and friends to be, where real computer science and technology learning is fun. Level Up engages students in supplemental Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, giving them a real academic advantage and the skills and motivation they need to succeed in life.

Andie would like to attend the Youtube Camp:

Over the summer, one of the biggest concerns parents have is the dreaded brain drain. The lack of routine, academic instruction and social interaction can play havoc with a child’s behavior and attitude. Interjecting some learning, social time along science, technology, engineering, and math during the relaxed summer schedule can be a positive disruption.

Having an introduction to Scratch with #LevelUpKids #Ottawa #Kanata with @YMCbuzz @kidsinthecapital pic.twitter.com/tzQQe6dvNT

— Good Karma Baby! (@Sherriemae23) May 15, 2017

We had the opportunity to experience a mini session with Level Up Kids in Ottawa. Both kids enjoyed their time creating and are looking forward to spending more time with the instructors this summer.

iPad controlled remote controlled robots. #levelupkids #education #coding #STEM #ottawa @Levelupkids @YMCbuzz pic.twitter.com/LyiADgsILq

— Good Karma Baby! (@Sherriemae23) May 15, 2017

There are many positive attributes that are exemplified in the framework of the Level Up Kids camps including:

• Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Students learn to understand the problem, find a way to attack it, and work until it is done and they can pass to the next level.
• Reason abstractly and quantitatively. Students learn that it helps to break down complex problems into simpler ones. Designing algorithms require using logic and abstract thinking.
• Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Students will work together, exchange ideas, and discuss various strategies to solve the problems.
• Model with Mathematics While working through different programs, students will use X and Y coordinates, spatial directions, find shortest paths, measure distances, calculate areas, work with random numbers and more.
• Use appropriate tools strategically. Most programming tasks can be solved in several different ways. Students learn that selecting the appropriate tool can save them time and effort.
• Attend to precision. For a computer program to work, the logic of the underlying algorithm must be precise, and moreover, the program needs to be written and formatted very carefully.
• Look for and make use of the structure. Looking for patterns and making use of the structure is a fundamental component of computer programming. Students learn that finding a pattern simplifies the logic, and makes the solution of the problem easier.
• Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Computer programming teaches students to generalize their thinking. They learn to use solutions to previously solved problems to attack more complicated ones.

Beckett would like to take on the Minecraft Adventure:

 

In my opinion, what makes Level Up Kids camps different from other camps is their inclusion, acceptance and love all things geeky! My children are not readers, but they love math, science and conducting experiments, especially my daughter Andie. Being able to find a cohort of kids that have the same love of STEM also expands their social circles and gives them a creative outlet to display their inner scientist without judgment.

I am giving one lucky reader a FREE WEEK AT CAMP anywhere Level Up Kids Camps are hosted. You can find out more about camps in your area here.  *Subject to camp and registration availability in your city. Free week of camp is valid only for the 2017 summer season, and the certificate expires September 1, 2017. (Approximate value $399.00!) 

 

 

You can follow Level Up Kids on Twitter @Levelupkids, Facebook: Level Up Kids and Instagram. You can also track the #LevelUpKids hashtag.

Have a wonderful summer and happy coding!

This post is part of the YummyMummyClub.ca and the Level Up Kids sponsored program. Good Karma Baby received compensation as a thank you for our participation. This post reflects our personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors.