East Valley Engineering for Kids Announces STEM Classes Starting December 1st in Chandler

PHOENIX - Oct. 11, 2014 - PRLog -- East Valley Engineering for Kids will be resuming their popular STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) classes for boys and girls on December 1^st at the Primavera Blended Learning Center located at 2451 N. Arizona Avenue in Chandler. The new after-school program will teach the basic concepts of engineering and technology to kids 7-14.

The program is a continuum of the Engineering for Kids Summer STEM camps launched last June. According to Ron Hoagland, Director of East Valley Engineering for Kids, “We are very excited to continue our partnership with Primavera. Through our summer camps, we were able to positively impact many kids in the East Valley. Our enrichment programs teach children a systematic process to address engineering problems and situations.”

Program hours starting will be from 4-6:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Hoagland says they are offering two formats to provide flexibility for families. Their EFK Club membership program provides unlimited access to all programs and additional discounts off special events, parties and summer camps. He says they have also added an “Al la Carte” program which allows parents to purchase classes individually for one or two days per week.

Monthly rates range from $125 to $260 per child. Additional savings are offered for a new “carpooling” program and for families utilizing their automatic payment program.  For more information, call (480) 779-8184 or email eastvalley@engineeringforkids.net.

Dr. Kevin Thrasher, the new Executive Director for Primavera Blended Learning Center, says that, “In order to provide a full range of educational opportunities to both the Primavera students and the local community, Primavera and East Valley Engineering for Kids will collaborate on offering engineering and technology education as an after-school program. This is a phenomenal way to bring technology and engineering to kids in the neighborhood and get them excited about project-based learning.”

The new class structure includes a Core Engineering Club that meets on Mondays from 4-6:30 pm. In these classes students will use the Engineering Design Process to address various situations and challenges each week related to a specific engineering field including Aerospace, Electrical, among others. Classes in December will feature Mechanical Engineering.

They are also introducing an EV3 Lego Robotics Club. In this program, students will get the opportunity to test their creativity through a variety of team-based challenges and activities.  Kids will learn, or enhance, their programming skills using Mindstorms software. Each month will feature a new theme including “Mission to Mars,” “Robot Surgeons,” and “Ocean Missions.”  The December Club will begin with Robotics 101 to give students a foundation for future classes.

The Video Game Design Club will allow students to work in teams to design, build and program video games. Each month will feature a new design project that will also involve elements of project management and timelines.  The December session will begin with Video Game Design 101.

The East Valley Engineering for Kids program, which has been featured in major local publications and on television, introduces children to the basic principles of engineering in a hands-on format that also enhances problem solving skills.  All of the Engineering for Kids courses are designed to meet National Educational Standards in STEM, Science (NSES), Technology and Engineering (ITEEA) and Mathematics (NCTM).

Hoagland adds that, “Kids will be challenged to use creativity and teamwork to address the situations we present to them and also analyze the work they have done. There is simply no better way to combine learning and fun when the normal school day is done.”

East Valley Engineering for Kids is a STEM Enrichment provider serving the Phoenix Metropolitan area. For more information, visit EngineeringforKids/EastValley, call (480) 779-8184 or email eastvalley@engineeringforkids.net.