Community Programs and Partners

Girls in Science Camp Reflection – “What I Learned”

September 14, 2015 by smacsorley

We had three amazing college students work with us to deliver the Girls in Science Camp at Green Street and serve as role models for the campers. This year, those young women were Stacy Uchendu, Anna Redgrave, and Mikaela Carty. In this five-part series, they share their experiences and favorite moments of the week.

Girls in Science Camp Reflection – “What I Learned”

by Anna Redgrave

Not everyone becomes a scientist, but having a scientific mind is a surprisingly common human quality.

In a Calvin and Hobbes comic, the pair come across a snake in the woods and decide to learn everything they can about snakes. Calvin suddenly realizes it is summer vacation and declares he can’t allow himself to learn anything, but Hobbes assures him “if nobody makes you do it, it counts as fun.”

P1160975 Over the course of the camp, I got to witness this sort of a moment again and again as girls realized that they could put their own ideas into the work we were doing. They went from exclaiming how flies looked gross under a microscope to asking me if they could dissect them. One girl discovered the trick to breaking the surface tension in soap bubbles and proceeded to fill the room with bubbles with machine-like efficiency. The things we figure out for ourselves are what we are most proud of and most likely to remember.

It’s important to realize that science isn’t creating this mindset of investigation and discovery, it’s fostering it.

Every one of the campers came to camp having already actively participated in the scientific method, they just might not have known it. I’m so happy that I got to see so many people (staff included!) learn under the guise of having fun, and have fun under the guise of learning.

Girls in Science Camp Reflection – “No Limits”

September 8, 2015 by smacsorley

Girls in Science Camp Reflection Series – “No Limits”

by Stacy Uchendu

I really didn’t know much about Girls in Science Camp except that it was for 4th to 6th grade girls and its goal was to encourage girls to be interested in STEM fields. I didn’t know the extent of how much these girls would be learning about biology, chemistry, and physics and I especially did not expect the girls to actually grasp and enjoy the advanced concepts they were being taught. They learned about DNA, mutations, cell structure, light/waves, etc. – material I myself did not learn about until high school.

This experience made me realize that there is absolutely no limit to what a child can learn; if you are a willing teacher, there are many intelligent, future scientists eager to learn.

Girls in Science Camp Reflection – “Before and After”

August 31, 2015 by smacsorley

Girls in Science Camp Reflection – “Before and After”

by Mikaela Carty

When Professor Othon, my advisor, offered me a job working with Girls In Science Camp, I got super excited. Well excited and a little hesitant. I was very honored that she asked but I was a little reluctant to accept Professor Othon’s offer because although I had taken two semesters of challenging physics, I did not fully feel equipped to lead experiments and lessons in this (physics) or any of the other subjects (being biology and chemistry). Professor Othon assured me that I would be right for the job and after consulting my mother I changed my departing ticket to a later date so that I could stay long enough to assist in the science camp.

P1160216 I imagined that the girls would be young and anxious to learn about science. I imagined that they would draw male scientists when we asked them to do the “Draw a Scientist” assignment the first day. I imagined that they would forget to write in their journals and I and the other helpers would have to remind them to do so. I imagined my experience would be similar to dealing with myself when I was that age. I pictured shy, energetic, bright and inexperienced little girls.

However, what I imagined was different from the reality of my experience. For one, the girls were a lot more knowledgeable than I had expected. When they were asked to draw a scientist (at the start of the week) many of them drew females holding scientific paraphernalia rather than males. Without help from the professors, they were the ones who realized that if you place a lot of cherries on a scale then the scale would display a measurement and you could then divide that value by the number of cherries to calculate the weight of an individual cherry. I cannot believe that they knew that this was a method to try when your object is too light for a scale.

P1160150 They are such bright children and their notes were wonderful. There was one girl that wrote notes that were so thorough I felt like she was already ready for college! I was very impressed with the students that participated in this camp. I believe that this is a sign that we are well on our way to a world where girls are just as prevalent as guys in the scientific fields.

It’s wonderful to see females being researchers and professors and mothers and knowing that we have the potential to be anything we set our hearts on. I am so grateful to have been part of this wonderful camp and I hope to continue and help propel the women in science movement.

Girls in Science Camp Reflection – “Draw a Scientist Revelation”

August 26, 2015 by smacsorley

Girls in Science Camp Reflection Series – “Draw a Scientist Revelation”

by Stacy Uchendu

A really cool moment in the Girls in Science Camp is the revelation of how drastically the girls’ perceptions of scientists change from the beginning to the end of the week. At the beginning of the week, the girls were asked to draw a picture of a scientist and many of them drew “mad scientist” with hair standing on end, long lab coats and bright colored potions. By the end of the week, they were asked to draw a scientist again and this time all of the girls drew women in traditional lab settings, at home, with pets and children, doing their favorite hobbies, etc.

Their pictures showed how their perception of a scientist expanded from the male, mad scientist and diversified into intelligent, multi-faceted women with many interests and real lives. Their realization came as a result of interacting with a diverse range of women scientists and learning about their lives in and outside of lab, and I believe this change in perception will allow these girls to imagine themselves as future scientists as well.

Girls in Science Camp Reflection – “Why I Wanted to Be a Part of the Camp”

August 17, 2015 by smacsorley

Girls in Science Camp Reflection – “Why I Wanted to Be a Part of the Camp”

by Anna Redgrave

I’m a fairly stubborn person. When someone tells me I should like something, it tends to make me more resistant to liking it. It isn’t until much later, sometimes years later, when I’m working hands-on with that same subject and coming up with all my own ideas about it that I think “hey, they were right!”

This has been my experience with education in general, but more specifically with science. Science was presented to me early in school as a subject that I should like. I got to formulate all my own questions and do my own experiments. The only trouble was that the questions and experiments we worked with in school were all given to us. There was no room to really think about anything, it was all just following directions and recording observations.

P1160267 When I heard about the Girls in Science Camp I was thrilled because to me it represented a space outside of the often overwhelming school-in-session environment where girls could really delve into issues and ask their own questions. That kind of opportunity is something I could really have used as a kid, and I was excited to have a chance to help other girls develop an appreciation for science.

From Student to Teacher: 10 Years at Green Street with Eric Quinones

April 9, 2015 by rlaunder

This year the Green Street Teaching and Learning Center formerly known as “Green Street Arts Center” is celebrating its 10 year anniversary.Throughout its 10 years of existence, Green Street has formed an extremely close-knit community, gathering a variety of teachers and students all expressing their love of art, and now even other subjects such as science and math.

Within this community is Eric Quinones, the current hip-hop instructor and former student of Green Street. Since the very beginning, Eric has been involved. “I was here since it first started. So it’s the 10 year anniversary now. I’m 21, so I was about 10 years old when I first started going here.” Ever since then, Eric has grown up with Green Street, taking a multitude of art classes offered to kids from first to eighth, from visual arts like film, to dancing classes like ballet. After years of dabbling in various classes, Eric found one that truly stuck: hip-hop.

“Green Street has made a huge impact in my life because I was able to take hip-hop classes here. As I got older and started high school, I began to volunteer, and now I actually teach the classes.”

Throughout his time at Green Street Eric has seen himself transform from student to teacher, now teaching younger kids as well as the older kids the art of hip-hop. “Back then it was me performing and now I get to teach them. It’s great to watch my students perform and improve. Some students come in without having danced a day in their life and they come here just to try out the class, and then sometimes even advance to older age levels.” Just like himself, Eric sees his own students fall in love with the subjects they experience. “There are times when I come in and I’m not even teaching and they’re just showing people the dances in the studio. I can definitely see them continuing to dance, maybe even teach too.”

For those who are interested in arts (and now math and science), Green Street serves as an incredible source; one that offers not only experience and learning, but a family community. “It’s a great place; whether you’re into hip-hop, drumming, or anything, Green Street can let you try it out. The whole atmosphere is so welcoming and you just feel at home.”

Support Green Street’s youth programs by visiting FroyoWorld on Main Street in Middletown on Friday, April 17th from 5-8pm.

Spring 2015 Discovery AfterSchool Registration OPEN until Thursday 2/5

February 2, 2015January 23, 2015 by smacsorley

Its that time of year, time to sign up for Discovery AfterSchool! We are accepting registration appointments for the Spring 2015 Semester of our Discovery AfterSchool Program. Please call us today to set up your appointment: 860-685-7871.

Registration is almost over, we’ll sign up kids until Thursday, February 5th! We specifically have slots available for elementary students in the red classes below – Capoeira, Art Around the World, Choreography, and Sign Language. We also have space in the unique college experience class for middle school students, Wesleyan Bound.

The Spring Semester runs from January 26 – May 8, 2015.

Here is the diverse list of available classes for the spring. Don’t forget to sign up for homework help Mondays-Thursdays too.

African Drumming (Grades 3-8 on Thursdays)
Art and Food (Grades 1-3 on Fridays)
Art and Science (Grades 6-8 on Mondays, Grades 1-3 on Tuesdays)
Art Around the World (Grades 1-3 on Thursdays, Grades 3-5 on Fridays)
Beginning Breakdance (Grades 1-3 on Mondays)
Beginning Hip Hop (Grades 1-3 on Fridays)
Capoeira (Grades 1-3 on Thursdays, Grades 3-5 on Wednesdays)
Choreography (Grades 3-5 on Thursdays)
Chorus (Grades 1-5 on Fridays)
Computer Art (Grades 1-3 on Wednesdays, Grades 3-5 on Thursdays)
Environmental Art (Grades 1-3 on Wednesdays)
Exploring the River (Grades 3-5 on Fridays)
Improv Theater (Grades 3-8 on Wednesdays)
Intermediate Breakdance (Grades 3-8 on Wednesdays)
Intermediate Hip Hop (Grades 3-8 on Tuesdays)
Kids in the Kitchen (Grades 6-8 on Thursdays)
Multimedia Art (Grades 6-8 on Mondays)
Musical Mentoring (Grades 1-5 on Mondays and Tuesdays): During these lessons with a Wesleyan University student musician (often on a one-on-one basis), children will study a musical instrument. Students will be allowed to borrow an instrument to practice at home– at no extra cost! After a rich, semester-long musical experience, many students will participate in a recital performance.
Picasso and Math (Grades 3-5 on Tuesdays)
Science Club (Grades 1-3 on Thursdays)
Simple Stylin’ Fashion Design (Grades 3-5 on Mondays, Grades 6-8 on Wednesdays)
Sign Language (Grades 1-3 on Tuesdays)
Wesleyan Bound (Grade 6-8 on Fridays): This class exposes students to the college experience via weekly visits to Wesleyan University. Students meet student leaders, tour science labs and art galleries, and more.
Yoga (Grades 1-3 on Mondays)

There is a non-refundable $25 registration fee. For program fees, we do have financial assistance for those who qualify. For any questions, please call our front desk.

Guest Post – My Buddy

January 16, 2015 by smacsorley

Kiene was one of our Middlesex Community College interns last semester and we asked him to share some of his experience with us. It has been great watching him learn more about working kids and learn more about himself. Here is his third guest post.

If you’re interested in signing your child up for Discovery AfterSchool classes, our spring semester registration is open and we have slots available for many of our classes in art, math, and science. Classes start the week of January 26th. Call us today to set up an appointment.

My Buddy

Many great bonds have formed since my start at Green Street. Everyone from the staff to the kids are amazing to work with, but there has been one person in particular that has managed to easily secure a special place in my heart. Her name is Skye and after meeting her for the first time, I knew we would be the best of buds.

In a short amount of time, Skye has managed to make a very big and unexpected impact on me. She was born with Downs Syndrome and possess the rare ability to light up any room that she enters with her contagious energy and spirit. I think that has a lot to do with what initially brought us together.

Being new to Green Street was very nerve wracking at first, but the second I met Skye, that all went away. She was so happy to sit down and introduce herself and started talking up a storm. Before I knew it, I had made a friend in a very unfamiliar place and it helped me a lot with adjusting to my new surroundings. That is not the only thing Skye has helped me with this semester. Before my time at Green Street, I didn’t have much experience working with people who have disabilities and I wasn’t sure that it would be something I could handle. But Skye has shown me that there is absolutely nothing to fear or worry about. This little girl has single-handedly shot down all preconceived notions and stereotypes that I ignorantly came into my internship with, all by just being herself.

I’m not sure if Skye is even aware of the impact she’s had on me, but it is something that I’ll forever be grateful for and cherish. My time with Skye has really gone to show me that life lessons come in all different shapes and sizes and the best ones are usually disguised in the most mysterious ways.

As my time at Green Street slows down, I am saddened to know that my daily routine of meeting Skye at the door with a smile and a hug and personally escorting her to snack time is coming to an end. But I can take great pride in knowing that I was able to connect with her on such a special level and that with each day our bond grows stronger. Even though I still have a long life to live, I’m almost 100% positive that I’ll never have a buddy that is quite as amazing as Skye has been these past couple months. She has a friend in me, forever.

From the Director: Introducing the Green Street Teaching and Learning Center

December 17, 2014 by smacsorley

Hello Friends of Green Street,

Today I’m excited to announce that Green Street has become the Green Street Teaching and Learning Center–Green Street TLC. This structure better represents the work we do in Middletown and also allows us to grow our programs in the arts, math, and sciences for kids, teachers, and our broader community.

The arts are still very much at the heart of what we do at Green Street. We want to make sure our friends understand that this name change does not change what we’re already doing, it simply better reflects our full scope of work and also opens up new ways for us to grow.

We will continue our Discovery AfterSchool Program, which serves 80 Middletown students in Grades 1-8 each year with diverse classes in the arts, sciences, and math; our Private Lessons Program, and our Green Street-to-Go Residency Program that brings teaching artists into community organizations to engage their clients and residents.

We will build on our programming with the Project to Increase Mastery of Mathematics and Science (PIMMS) who has lived at Green Street for two years now and the CT Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Schools who are approaching their fourth year with Green Street. Science safety workshops, which have served over 200 teachers since my arrival nearly two years ago, and the Intel Math Institute that prepares K-8 teachers for Common Core implementation will continue.

We have linked Wesleyan to the local community for ten years and look forward to an even more rewarding collaboration in the years to come. We want to make sure you know about all the opportunities awaiting you at the Teaching and Learning Center.

For more information on any of our programs, please explore our updated website at www.wesleyan.edu/greenstreet or come visit us.

Thank you and we look forward to working more with you in the future.

Sara MacSorley
Director, Green Street Teaching and Learning Center

P.S. – It may take a little while to make sure our name is updated everywhere, please be patience as we make the switch and feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have in the meantime.

Guest Post – The Kids of Green Street

December 2, 2014 by smacsorley

Kiene is one of our Middlesex Community College interns this semester and we asked him to share some of his experience with us. It has been great watching him learn more about working kids and learn more about himself. Here is his second guest post.

If you’re interested in signing your child up for Discovery AfterSchool classes, our spring semester registration will open the week of December 8th. Call us today to set up an appointment.

The Kids of Green Street

Green Street definitely helps serve as a getaway for the kids that are part of the Discovery AfterSchool Program. With such a wide variety of classes offered, there is truly something for everyone to do. That is one of the great benefits of having a place like Green Street in Middletown. It gives each individual kid the opportunity to find a class that best suits them and provides a safe place for self-expression.

After watching the kids participate in these classes for weeks, I thought it would be an awesome idea to give the kids in the program a platform to share their favorite things about Green Street. The middle school kids are what I like to call program “veterans”. Most of them have essentially grown up in the program and really gotten the chance to experience a lot of what Green Street has to offer. One of the students I talked with made mention of her love for the Musical Mentoring Program. She spoke to me about how much she loved the step-by-step approach to learning to play the piano and that she feels like she is beginning to master the instrument. Another one of the sixth grade students beamed with excitement as she told me about the Wesleyan Bound Program she attends as one of her AfterSchool classes. Going to classes on the Wesleyan campus and getting to learn with her friends were just a few of the many things that made this particular student so enthused about the class.

Getting to have fun and learn amongst the company of friends was a reoccurring theme in my conversations with the kids. A fifth grade student shared these feelings along with a love for his the Computer-Aided Art class. He mentioned who much he enjoys getting to learn about computers – how they work and all the different things you can do with them.

Even the littlest members of the Green Street family have very specific opinions about what makes Green Street an awesome place. Dancing and Art topped the list for one of the first graders. He highlighted that drawing fish in Art class is he area of expertise but made sure to mention that his artistic ability stretches way beyond that.

As many rounds of interviewing came to an end, one thing was very clear about how the kids of Green Street felt about the Discovery AfterSchool Program. Not only do they appreciate it, but they genuinely love the time they spend at Green Street. Hearing all these kids proudly explain their answers to my questions reconfirmed to me how great of a place Green Street is for the youth of Middletown. Knowing that the kids are taking away such great things from AfterSchool, makes it all the better working with them. After hearing about all the fun things the kids do on a daily basis, I know that the sky is the limit for every single one of the kids involved at Green Street.