Wildomar Non-Profit Helps Local Students By 'Gearing Up For STEM'

From Community Outreach Ministry: Community Outreach Ministry (COM) a 501 C 3 non-profit in Wildomar, are advocates for helping needy and at-risk children mentoring positive social, safety, educational and vocational opportunities. COM conducted two workshops in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Title 1 schools for students at Wildomar Elementary and Lakeland Village. Title 1 school goals are improving the academic achievement of disadvantaged children.

COM has invested in “Gearing Up For STEM” Mentor Protégé Workshops using fun mechanic kits to give students an opportunity to fabricate their own robots. Twenty-four students in the Lake Elsinore Unified School District (LEUSD) were the beneficiaries who were taught to assemble robots. Twelve robot kits were donated to 4th and 5th graders at the Wildomar Elementary School on March 22, 2018 in Wildomar. An additional twelve robots were donated to 8th graders at Lakeland Village School on March 27, 2018 in Lake Elsinore.

“Gearing Up For STEM” Mentor Protégé Workshops were approved by the school principals as a single afterschool program from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm. The objective of this STEM workshop was to introduce beginner students to basic robotics. The COM team were made up of engineers, grandparents, parents and students. An introductory STEM video was shared then the students were propelled to jump in. Tables were set up for the students with individual placemats and tool boxes (to keep mechanic kit parts safe) and students organized while working in small groups. Students were organized into four teams by robot type: a hand, a crab, a can and a brush. Once all the robots were assembled and wired, the students had fun playing and racing the robots. The students were excited using the “tools of the trade” while also practicing reading skills and attention to details regarding drawing instructions. Together the children learned valuable lessons in teamwork and accomplished goals surrounding building a robot; skills and lessons comparable to real world on-the-job experience.

Special thanks to Jonay Cordeiro branch manager of Wells Fargo Lake Elsinore Main, Inland Crossroads for donating an educational gift to Community Outreach Ministry. With the educational gift, the COM team mentored the protégé’s who achieved many goals involving the assembly of electronic devices and had great fun doing it! The students followed step-by-step instructions that also served to enhance dexterity and performing tasks with small parts, screws and tools; creating a hands-on experience that achieved many age-appropriate educational goals. Now, Community Outreach Ministry is raising scholarships to send needy children to summer camp for youngsters elementary through high school ages. Each scholarship is about $250 per camper for three nights and includes transportation, food, lodging and recreational activities. We welcome donations in any amount to help positively impact campers with an incredible life-changing adventure. Donations are accepted at communityoutreachministry.org or contact us by phone at (951)698-7650.

Photos courtesy of Community Outreach Ministry (Photo 1. Wildomar Elementary School Students Tour Robots Photo 2. TRON Meccano Robot demonstrated at Lakeland Village School Photo 3. Lakeland Village School The Talent has Arriv