Weekly Media Roundup - December 21, 2011

The Great Robot Race (Germantown Patch, Maryland)
For one evening, the rules were broken at the Germantown Indoor Swim Center as non-humans were allowed into the pool. Afterschool students from the STEM Afterschool Academy at Roberto Clemente Middle School created robots from kits donated by the U.S. Navy to create sea perches, similar to the one BP used to help plug the oil leak off the Louisiana coast in 2010, for an underwater race. Get more information on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in afterschool here.

Taconic Program Gives Students Sense of Fashion (The Berkshire Eagle, Massachusetts)
A 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) afterschool program at Taconic High School in Pittsfield helps students sketch out fashion designs. Designer Dominick Avellino runs the afterschool program and told The Berkshire Eagle, “The kids have now a chance to explore their creative ideas and their own sense of self through fashion drawing. They use color and silhouette in such an unstudied way with such raw energy that I’m in awe of their freedom.” The 21st CCLC program is in the second year of a four year grant.

Mexican Culture through Dance (Deming Headlight, New Mexico)
Afterschool students at Deming High School presented a one hour ballet and Folklorico dance for their Christmas concert. Through music and dance, the concert shared the cultural traditions from the different states of Mexico. The students presented 13 different cultural dances.

Rancho Cucamonga Businesses Work Together to Provide Holiday Joy for More Than 140 Children (Inland Daily Bulletin, California)
Earlier this month, Rancho Cucamonga business owners hosted an “ultimate holiday pizza party” for afterschool children from low-income families. The Inland Daily Bulletin reports that the business owners donated backpacks with goodies, soccer balls, free hot chocolate coupons, and more to each child. More than 140 afterschool students who met their attendance goals got to go to the party.