Across the country, school lockdowns caused by COVID-19 have left many children without the tools and teaching they need to learn. But a grant from Sisters on the Frontlines recently helped continue STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning for kids across Ohio.
Sister Joanne Caniglia, OP, a math professor at Kent State and Dominican Sister of Peace, used her grant to help three local organizations by creating special hands-on STEM kits to keep students engaged in learning while school was conducted remotely.
Each morning in prayer, she has one simple mantra: “What can I do for you today, Lord?”
Across the state, students have been learning from home during the pandemic. But Sister Joanne knew that under-resourced districts were not able to sustain in-person education. She felt called to change that:
I see mathematics as a gatekeeper. I want the gates to be open to everyone.”
Sister Joanne tried to find a way to support children, parents, and teachers while applying the gifts and talents of those around her. Fifteen of her fellow sisters assembled bags of educational activities for kids across the state.
Partners for Education
Sister Joanne gave learning kits to King Kennedy Community Center in Ravenna, Ohio, to be distributed with family food packages. Each bag included five STEM activities for students to do at home.
The space-related activities came at a perfect time: the United States had just landed a rover on Mars. The children were able to become engaged in this important price of scientific history.
Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids (SPARK) in Canton, Ohio, also received materials to create the activities for a virtual family math night and a storage cart to transport the materials to program events. SPARK serves more than 400 families throughout Ohio. These activities are rich in math and literacy content from which the entire family can learn.
Learning Online
Proyecto Raices of Akron, Ohio, supports more than 40 children with online activities to preserve their cultural heritage and ensure their academic success. The Sisters on the Frontlines grant allowed STEM kits to be mailed to the students. This saved valuable time and expenses for program directors, who previously traveled more than 100 miles to deliver the packages to students.
Sister Joanne’s students from Kent State University created the projects, giving them valuable teaching experience. She then demonstrates the STEM activities via video call on Saturdays while the students follow with their at-home kits.
The funding has made this happen. I have found that there are many silver linings to this pandemic, and I pray that I may find them and use them to help families and children.”
As the pandemic continues, so does the Sisters on the Frontlines initiative. Contributions to this program bring relief, joy and renewed faith to those among us who are so adversely affected.
Find out more about this program on the Sisters on the Frontlines webpage.
Give today to help Catholic sisters provide emergency assistance to families in need.
