As B.C. schools closed to in-person classes in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, a UBC Applied Science-based education organization worked quickly to bring its STEM-themed programs to online platforms for homebound kids and teens.
Since March, Geering Up has provided daily Internet-based content to help youths from kindergarten to Grade 12 connect with STEM subjects — and fellow students — remotely. In addition to YouTube Live sessions, which have covered topics like bionics and engineering with newspapers, the online offerings have included weekend STEM clubs, homework clubs and “activity clubs” focused on science and coding.
An example of how UBC is working to deepen the relevance and public impact of our research and education (Strategy 16: Public Relevance), these programs have supplied thousands of hours of virtual face-to-face learning to more than 550 students. And in the coming months, Geering Up will continue to grow, with more summer offerings planned than ever before. To support this expansion, the organization has hired 50 additional UBC undergraduate science and engineering students, many of whom saw their summer work plans vanish due to the pandemic.
To read more about how Geering Up is helping youth continue their academic and social lives during COVID-19, visit the Applied Science website.