Community Corner

Farmington YMCA Launches Robotics, Tech Programs

Programs that build science, technology, engineering and math skills are also part of the Y's after-school care curriculum.

Former middle school science teacher Therese Perlowski brought along a love of science when she started as the Farmington Family YMCA director of youth and family and school-age child care programs. 

Starting in November, the Y will offer three new programs designed to instill a love of science and technology in kids as young as 4 years old. BIG Builders for ages 4-6, and LEGO Challenge for 1st-5th graders will help children build science, math and other skills. 

"So many jobs these days, especially in the Michigan area, are focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills," Perlowski said. "But those are skills you can apply to any job." 

The Y is also offering a robotics program through which kids ages 6-17 will learn how to build and program robots. Participants can bring their own materials or the Y will provide them. 

In addition, Perlowski said, the Y's school-age child care program now includes science experiments or activities twice a week, "to get kids involved in that enquiry kind of mind set. They get a little messy and find out how much fun science can be." 

The robotics program starts Nov. 2 and runs through Jan. 11; the Big Builders and LEGO Challenge programs start in January. All programs are open to the public, and financial assistance is available. For more information, visit ymcadetroit.org/farmington/


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