Marie Reed Science Club
After successful after-school and summer day camps in 2007 and 2008 at National Baptist Memorial Church, in October we started a new after-school "science club" in partnership with Marie Reed Community Learning Center, a K-5 public elementary school with 70% of their student families qualifying for free or reduced cost lunches, just 5 blocks away. The science club features hands-on science experiments for the kids followed by small group sessions of analysis emphasizing building math skills. The purpose of the science club is two fold: to allow kids an opportunity to do real, inquiry-based science activities (which often they do not have time for in school due to high-stakes testing) and improve kids' math skills (especially in areas where DC children statistically do poorly on standardized tests, like measurement).
City Gate is part of a larger, national initiative called Great Science for Girls, which promotes science teaching methods that result in equal performance between boys and girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects. We also believe that science teaches kids to think logically - building cognitive skills such as using the scientific method - that not only helps in academics but in problem solving in life. Marie Reed, with assistance from volunteers from Westmoreland United Congregational Church of Christ, has made great gains in mathematics over the last two years, achieving AYP (adequate yearly progress) in math this past school year. Through the combined efforts of the students, teachers, volunteers, and school leadership, we intend the science club to provide an additional boost toward the goal of achieving AYP this coming school year, resulting in Marie Reed being removed from "at risk" status.
One of the top three neighborhoods housing the largest number of impoverished children in DC, Columbia Heights has a poverty rate of 26% (35% for children). 5 of the 8 schools located near NMBC were identified in 2005-2006 as "In Need of Improvement or Corrective Action." Low-income, working parents in the neighborhood are often unable to find quality, affordable care for their children during the after-school hours, therefore our programs here are completely free and targets children and families living near or below the poverty lines.