The Brashear Kids: Light Up! Lights on Afterschool at Grandview

Monday, October 24, 2016

Light Up! Lights on Afterschool at Grandview

Blog enthusiasts, have we got a treat for you. This past Thursday was the culmination of weeks of planning to host an afterschool event for the Grandview school community. We wanted to create an event for parents and students alike to visit the very place where learning happens, and celebrate that process with a variety of engaging activities. Present at the tables were fitUnited, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the YMCA Hilltop, GTECH, Hilltop Alliance, Venture Outdoors, the Mt. Washington Library branch, APOST, and of course, yours truly, the Brashear Association.

Tables were set up in such a way that attendees could navigate them one at a time, much like a game, from start to finish. The activities were aimed for the kids, of course, but it was very rewarding for parents and school staff to witness.

There were minute to win it games, such as Brashear's cheerio-race, where our young students picked up cheerios with a straw using suction and raced to transport them from plate to plate.

Ms. Laura from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh challlenged visiting students to test their balancing skills in this fun game, pictured below.

GTECH taught kids about water's impact on environments with this watershed activity, a creative spin on a science activity with visual representation.

The YMCA is so great at coming up with STEM activities that are fun, entertaining and packed with learning. Check out the makey-makey station they created with a focus on electricity conduction where circuits meet organic material. Can you say a match made in heaven?

We're so glad that the library offered reading material as a reward for completing activities, as well. We want to especially thank them for their generosity!