According to the U.S. Department of Education, it’s more important than ever that today’s youth are prepared to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions. These are the kinds of skills that students develop in science, technology, engineering and math—disciplines collectively known as STEM. Building students’ skills, knowledge, and fluency in STEM fields is essential.
No matter where children live, we must ensure they have access to quality learning environments and STEM education, hence why The South Shore YMCA’s THINGAMAJIG® Invention Convention is offered annually to help foster an interest in STEM in children both across the South Shore, and across the US.
In 1994, in an effort to reverse the trend of summer learning loss for the disadvantaged youths in their city, the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington created Thingamajig® for youth to harness and watch their creativity take flight. Since then, the event has spread across the nation to local YMCA’s, as well as other local, regional and national organizations focused on youth development. Each year, in preparation for the event, children receive a list of invention challenges, all centered on finding practical solutions to everyday problems. Over the years, Thingamajig® has evolved into one of the largest STEM-related conventions offered, drawing over 4,000 youths aged 6 to 14, many of whom come from low-income and otherwise challenged families. The convention’s rules restrict teams and individuals to using only recycled materials for their projects and spending no more than $20.
On Thursday August 8, approximately 350 campers across the many day camps of the South Shore YMCA will participate in the Thingamajig® creative convention movement. All kids from ages 5-14 are welcome to enter, whether enrolled in South Shore YMCA summer camps or not. On the day of the event, the kids will be challenged to tackle an on-the-spot team design challenge using only what they have on hand, and in mind. The entire event, from the preliminary challenges to the final team project, is designed to help fight summer learning loss. Thingamajig helps kids gear up for a triumphant and confident return to school in the fall.
The South Shore Y’s 2019 Thingamajig® Invention Convention will be held at the South Shore YMCA – Quincy Branch, and is free and open to the public. The event is supported in part by South Shore Playhouse Associates and grants from Braintree, Holbrook, and Weymouth Cultural Councils.
Visit ssnsc.org to see how you can take part in this summer’s Thingamajig Invention Convention alongside campers and staff of the South Shore YMCA! For additional questions, contact event lead Chris Jacobs, Executive Director of the South Shore Natural Science Center, at cjacobs@ssymca.org or 781-659-2559.
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About the South Shore YMCA
The South Shore YMCA is a not-for-profit association of individuals dedicated to improving the quality of life for all through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind, and body. Serving the communities of Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover and beyond, the South Shore Y provides the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive through its services and programs. Financial Assistance is a Y community benefit available to all families in need, applicable to all Y programs and services. To learn more about the South Shore YMCA, visit www.ssymca.org. The South Shore YMCA. The Better You Belongs Here.
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