Feb 17, 2018 3 min read

For two hours every day after school, a group of Washington Junior High School students eschew their cellphones for some good, old-fashioned face-to-face socialization.

But it’s not just chatter they’re creating. The students involved in the afterschool program participate in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) activities and get homework help, if they need it.

“They like the hands-on aspect,” said Yvonne Lyon, the education specialist who runs Washington’s program. “They get to work together. They love that.”

The LEARN (Linking, Educating and Renewing Neighborhoods) program is provided by Washington Family Center, a community agency of Connect Inc, which is an affiliate of Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services.

Programs also are held at Bentworth Middle School, Bethlehem-Center Elementary School and Charleroi Area Middle School.

LEARN is a free service to students, who build and code robots, construct circuits, use 3-D printers and learn coding and programming. They also utilize Lego education and K’Nex creations.

Every year, the students also participate in a service-learning project. This year, “Sending Our Love” will provide fleece blankets made by students to Mon-Vale Oncology and Washington Hospital’s cancer center. Socks, lip balm, pillows, crossword puzzles and hand sanitizer also will be donated.

Education specialists such as Lyon try to integrate meaningful community service projects that enrich learning, teach civic responsibility and strengthen the community.

Last year, students created ornaments that were sent to a student’s father and his unit serving overseas.

“These kids like to do things to help other people and make other people comfortable,” said Lyon, who has been with the program for five years.

While the school district provides another afterschool tutoring option, Lyon said students in her group sometimes feel more comfortable working with familiar peers and the older students, who act as mentors.

Skylar Ross, a freshman mentor who participated in the program while in junior high, said she and the other mentors encourage the students to work through problems, whether it’s homework or activity-related.

“We let them think,” she said. “We don’t just give them answers.”

Seventh-grader Sophie Harris enjoys the many activities she and her peers complete. They’ve created harmonicas, slime and boats – a much more interesting way to spend her time than messing around on her phone, she said.

“It’s something really fun to do,” she said.

Principal Chet Henderson said the district has maintained a good relationship with the Washington Family Center.

“The program that Ms. Yvonne oversees provides terrific opportunities for STEM exploration as well as assisting with academic needs,” said Henderson. “Ms. Yvonne has brought several engaging presenters that have worked with our students. Two that immediately come to mind are the Science Rocks program with Gerry Lewis and also the Digital Planetarium through the Carnegie Science Center. Both are highly engaging and the students really enjoy the programs. The Family Center program is one that we would like to see more students take advantage of because Ms. Yvonne and her supporting cast do a fantastic job with the students they work with.”

Funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Centers through the state Department of Education, the agency also provides summer programs. For student enrollment and questions, contact the Washington Family Center at 724-229-7410.