Building Connections through Discovery Leagues

K-12 STEAM Education

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative

The problem of limited access to quality programs to advance learning, education and the STEAM experience for youth K-12 was exacerbated during and post the COVID pandemic. During this time, youth in K-12 suffered gaps in access to educational opportunities and experiences, resulting in learning limitations and stifled advancement. Many quality programs in the greater Los Angeles area ceased or suspended operations during this time. According to the First 5 LA survey released in 2022, parents stated that "the pandemic has caused their child to fall behind in learning and progress." It is imperative to provide our youth access to quality educational resources that reignite passion for learning and fuel a positive educational experience to allow them to thrive in STEAM subjects. All youth deserve fair access to educational learning resources. Discovery Club PSP is committed to providing access to tools that will assist youth by positively supporting their educational experience.

Discovery Club PSP is committed to ensuring that youth have access to resources and quality educational opportunities to positively impact the learning experience. We focus on activities to support learning by enhancing curriculum to meet the needs of youth. RoboQuest is a curriculum that bridges learning gaps through creation of a unique league where youth explore creativity by building robots, programming, and coding promoting teamwork using Legos. This fun, innovative form of learning fosters self-efficacy and a sense of belonging. The enhanced curriculum expands STEAM learning through hands-on, interactive sessions that fuel understanding and ignite passion for learning through league activities. Discovery Leagues allow fun project based learning through innovation while collaborating and creating healthy competition. Discovery Leagues promote partnership with existing organizations to maximize resources by leveraging tools to share curriculum and expand learning. Discovery Club PSP leverages the league paradigm to support fun project based learning through innovation and applied knowledge to promote healthy competition for youth in the greater Los Angeles area. Discovery Club programs and services will serve as a hub for the neighborhood and support: - Connecting Youth Across LA - Building Compassion through Community - Creating Learning through Gamification - Building STEAM Career Pathways

According to the LAUSD 2022-2026 strategic plan "being ready for the world means our students will graduate with the skills and knowledge they need to live out their dreams." Discovery Club PSP programs improve access to learning. Youth who are not educationally advanced can participate in league activities that enhance learning and provide access to improved resources. These leagues are a wonderful source of learning but access is limited. Discovery Club PSP leagues provide access to STEAM learning to all youth in the greater Los Angeles area. Through a specifically designed curriculum, RoboQuest, aimed at expanding STEAM learning, youth participate in a top-tier educational experience. The RoboQuest curriculum bridges learning and lays the foundation for successful participation in league activity. This grant provides additional resources to support the successful implementation of programming to improve access to STEAM education for 120 students in the greater Los Angeles area.

Discovery Club PSP has laid the foundation for success by establishing tools to measure impact throughout the lifecycle of the program, including regular reporting on the status of learning. The aggregated data housed in our database is used to determine best practices and the effectiveness of learning achievement. In addition to quantitative data, we will collect qualitative data in the form of feedback from participants and coaches to understand areas of impact and needs for improvement. These data analysis tools support ongoing program development and growth. Program success is measured by successful program implementation, program completion, a more than 75% rate of participant return, and advancement in learning achieved. Future goals include identifying measures to advance STEAM understanding as evidenced by improved academic scores in STEAM related subjects. One short term goal is to increase the number of teams and partner agencies participating in Discovery Club PSP programs.