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Community Corner

The Boys & Girls Club of Milford, CT Receives STEM Immersion Grant From The Community Foundation of Greater New Haven

Milford, CT—December 16, 2013—The Boys & Girls Club of Milford, Connecticut, and The Jason Learning project together have received a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven for $10,000 to fund a two-part STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology & Math) program called Immersion. 

The first of two sessions will begin this spring, and will be offered to the elementary school aged Club members. This is the Dolphin Curriculum. The program follows dolphin researcher Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski as she studies the communication and behavior of dolphins around the world. STEM topics covered include evolution, adaptations, behavior, communication, sound, waves, research tools, marine science, animal rescue and rehabilitation, constellations, conservation, and careers.

The second and final session will take place during the summer, and will be offered to the middle school and high school aged Club members. In this program, students explore ocean science and learn about world-famous oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard and his team aboard Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus. STEM topics covered include the history of ocean exploration, buoyancy, density, remotely operated vehicles, ocean exploration tools, marine archaeology, marine geology, and marine biology.

Both groups will be taking part in an instructor lead coastal field study at Walnut Beach in Milford, CT, where they will conduct experiments and gain knowledge through hands-on experiences. Club members will conclude their experience by travelling to Mystic, CT.  There they will visit exhibits and see the marine life that the curriculums focused on. The Boys & Girls Club staff will be trained on this program by the JASON Afterschool Immersion Learning Program through professional development workshops.

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 “The Boys & Girls Club is extremely excited that we are able to offer this program, Program Director Jill DeWerdt was very instrumental in the pilot programs that lead to the major partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the country. Jill has traveled with Club members to the Santorini Islands in Greece, and Nassau, Bahamas where they have worked with Dr. Ballard (Ocean explorer, who discovered the Titanic, among other notable discoveries) and other scientists on ocean exploration and marine life studies.” said Megan Altomare, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Milford. “She is a leader in all youth development programs and we look forward to her offering this program to the youth in Milford. The Club would also extend a thank you to the Community Foundation of New Haven for this great opportunity.”

All Boys & Girls Club of Milford, CT members are invited to participate. Please visit www.bgcmilford.org to sign up and for more information.

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Make A Difference In A Young Person’s Life—sponsor, volunteer or donate to the Boys & Girls Club of Milford, Connecticut, the 17th Boys & Girls Club in the state of Connecticut. The Boys & Girls Club is a 501-C3 non-profit organization. Visit www.bgcmilford.org/ for sponsorship and volunteer opportunities. Stay up to date on all of the Boys & Girls Club Events—connect on Facebook. CONTACT:  Megan Altomare, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Milford, meganaltomare@gmail.com or P: 203-713-8055

About The Boys & Girls Club: Boys & Girls Clubs of America leads a federation of more than 1,100 independent organizations across the country and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Each year, local Clubs serve more than 4.2 million young people, through Club membership and community outreach in some 4,000 locations. Visit www.bgca.org for more information.




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