What happens when you combine STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts, leadership principles and boats? Take the Helm!
Take the Helm is an after school program, at the Easton Family YMCA, for middle school and high school students. Take the Helm uses the art of wooden boatbuilding as a vehicle to enhance the personal and professional lives of students; strengthening each student’s self-confidence and sense of community. Through a series of STEM based lessons, high-school students work together to build a working, 15-foot wooden skiff, while middle schoolers work on different wood-working projects to prepare them for the high school program.
Take the Helm curriculum is rooted in woodworking and environmental science. Through this program, students learn the importance of teamwork; how to work with tools, create plans, assemble projects; and how to be better environmental stewards. This program gets kids outside. Through environmental lessons and activities, students learn how to do things like row, kayak, fish, and crab.
Youth who participate in STEM activities:
- Learn how to solve a problem
- Develop critical-thinking skills
- Get comfortable with failure and trying again
- Learn to work successfully in teams
- Develop self-confidence
- Area able to see themselves in STEM careers
Take the Helm is offered year round at no cost to students or their families.
Program Schedule: Take the Helm will start up again on Monday, October 4, 2021
- High School Program runs Monday and Wednesday 3:30pm-5:30pm
- Middle School Program runs Tuesday and Thursday 3:00pm-5:00pm
Contact: Please contact Jason Staley at 410-822-0566 or email him at jstaley@ymcachesapeake.org for more information.
Click here to register today!
Take the Helm from Sandy Cannon-Brown on Vimeo.