The Y on the Fly Mobile Makerspace brings educational programs, ideas and activities directly to children in the Greater Houston Area
The YMCA of Greater Houston’s Y on the Fly Mobile Makerspace is a youth outreach STEM-based enrichment program on wheels that empowers today’s children to solve tomorrow’s problems. Y on the Fly has brought ideas of coding, robotics, programming, mechanics and circuitry into neighborhoods across the North Houston area, including The Woodlands, Conroe, Spring and Aldine. With the support of a generous grant through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Mobile Makerspace will soon make its way into the Fort Bend and Katy areas.
The goal of the Mobile Makerspace is to provide children with a high-quality, STEM-based curriculum that brings creative fabrication into every neighborhood. This program focuses on advanced youth development activities designed to empower youth. Children will get to experience computer coding and programming, robotics, 3D printing, basic circuitry, puzzle creation and solutions, augmented reality and virtual reality. These interactive tasks facilitate an active and collaborative learning environment that encourages children to explore, experiment, invent, innovate and improve their problem-solving skills.
“At the YMCA of Greater Houston, we are always looking for ways to inspire youth to thrive and learn new things,” said Jeremy Hickman, Community Outreach Director, YMCA of Greater Houston. “The Y on the Fly Mobile Makerspace makes it easy for children to experience new paths by bringing STEM learning programs to them. With such a wide array of activities and subjects, we are able to further the education of our youth, helping them grow as both a student and an individual.”
There are currently two Mobile Makerspace units in action, with a new Power Up unit which focuses on health and wellness, social and emotional learning, sports and nutrition coming soon. The Y on the Fly program serves at outreach sites, corporate events, summer camps and schools. Individuals can also request the Mobile Makerspace to appear at community events. For more information on how to reserve a mobile unit or attend an event, please contact Jeremy.Hickman@ymcahouston.org.
For more information about the YMCA of Greater Houston, please visit www.ymcahouston.org, and follow the organization on Facebook @YMCAHouston and Instagram @YMCAHouston.