The STEM Outreach Center at New Mexico State University is providing families at home during the COVID-19 outbreak with fun resources to keep the STEM learning going.
The center, which is housed inside NMSU’s College of Education, has partnered with Las Cruces Public Schools, Ngage New Mexico, Cruces Creatives and Nature Matters Academy in Albuquerque to provide activities for all families in New Mexico. The activities are available on the STEM Outreach Center website and on flyers that will be distributed weekly with meals provided by LCPS.
“It truly is a community effort to support children and families with meaningful learning experiences during this time,” said Wanda Bulger-Tamez, director of the STEM Outreach Center.
STEM Outreach Center assistant director Sara Morales said the flyers are being distributed at 19 LCPS sites, and at Families & Youth Inc. The first flyers were distributed Wednesday.
“We know there’s a lot out there on the Internet, but some families don’t have access to do those lessons,” Morales said. “Some of them also require a lot of supplies. We are trying to reach all families, even those without Internet.”
The activities are also translated into Spanish, Morales said.
In a couple of weeks, the flyers will also be accompanied by a kit containing the necessary supplies to complete each activity.
“Our goal is to provide a new set of activities each week that are engaging for children and parents and promote STEM learning at home,” Bulger-Tamez said.
On Wednesday, 5,000 flyers were distributed, but that number may increase. The first set of activities asks families to step outside and make observations. These activities were designed by Nature Matters Academy.
The STEM Outreach Center is taking precautions to avoid human contact and prevent further spread of COVID-19. Bulger-Tamez said the activities are delivered to LCPS, then distributed by the district at locations where student meals are provided.
To view a list of activities, visit https://stem.nmsu.edu/resources/family-resources/. More information about Nature Matters Academy may be found at https://www.facebook.com/NatureMatterswithDr.Jenny.
For more information about the flyers and kits, contact Bulger-Tamez at wtamez@nmsu.edu.