YMCA Offers Free STEM Program for Middle Schoolers

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA is excited to offer its new STEM: Digital Art Program for Middle Schoolers this Spring. The program is free and YMCA Membership is not required to participate in the 8-week program. The class runs April 29 to June 17 and is held Mondays at 4pm at the YMCA. Registration is required to participate.

In this new STEM class, participants create animations, interactive artwork, photograph filters and other exciting artistic projects using computer code. This is a moderate level course and students would benefit from having some experience with coding, but experience is not necessary to participate.

STEM: Digital Art is also more of a “club” than a class. Each week, participants will try their hand at a different coding project, working at their own pace and following step-by-step instructions. The Y’s qualified STEM instructor will be there to guide and offer support along the way. At the end of each hour-long class, participants will share their projects with the group and give supportive “shout outs” to their friends.

“My goal is for students to understand the basics of coding and explore how they can use it to have fun and create amazing things,” said Anna Carissimo, the YMCA’s STEM instructor. “In our digital age, we should all understand how coding works to help us in our daily lives. The STEM series of courses at the Y allows students to explore coding and develop a foundation for a future in computer science.”

Anna Carissimo has been teaching for 23 years, currently in fourth grade with the Westfield Public Schools. She is one the Instructional Technology Support teachers for her school and also a co-coordinator of her school's after school STEAM Enrichment Program. She has her MA in Literacy Education and is an active member of the Westfield Education Association Executive Council. She also teaches STEM classes for the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA Summer Camp Program.

For more information on STEM: Digital Art, please contact Sheri Cognetti at 908-889-8880 or scognetti@fspymca.org. YMCA Member Registration is ongoing; Community Registration begins April 20 and is taking place at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA’s Welcome Center. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA is located at 1340 Martine Avenue in Scotch Plains. To enter the YMCA building, YMCA guests must show a valid, government-issued photo ID.

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About the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA is dedicated to improving the quality of life of the individuals, families and communities it serves through programs and services that build wholeness of spirit, mind and body. The YMCA is a not-for-profit organization founded on Christian principles, serving people of all ages, races, faith, cultures and socio-economic conditions. For information on membership or programs, or to request a schedule of classes, please call the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA at (908) 889-8880 or visit https://fspymca.org. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.