C.R.E.A.T.E. (Collaboration to Realize Equity and Teach Engineering) is an ongoing collaborative program between Thinkery and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA), generously supported by NI, now part of Emerson. Thank you to NI and Boys and Girls Clubs of the Austin Area for being such incredible partners in bringing this special program to life! This program aligns with Thinkery’s strategic priority of equitably expanding access to Thinkery experiences.
When asked why programs like C.R.E.A.T.E. are important to NI, Katherine Prath, Director of Global Community Impact & STEM shares, “We love STEM and are committed to inspiring the next generation of engineers who will change the world. C.R.E.A.T.E. provides a unique opportunity for NIers to collaborate with Thinkery and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area to provide equitable access to STEM.”
How does C.R.E.A.T.E. work?
Through hands-on and play-based activities developed by Thinkery’s STEAM Learning Institute and facilitated by BGCAA staff, learners will ask, research, imagine, plan, create, test, and improve, becoming proficient in all the fundamentals of the engineering design process.
The program culminates in a field trip to Thinkery where NIers serve as volunteers. The field trip is a special and magical part of the program.
“I love seeing the kids from the BGCAA after-school program whooping with joy and excitement during their field trip to Thinkery. Watching the kids play and learn brings the program’s impact to life.”
Last year, when bad weather delayed one C.R.E.A.T.E. field trip, the cheers and excitement that reverberated when they finally made it to the museum were a highlight for us all. To keep that joyful learning going, all BGCAA students receive a FREE Thinkery Membership so they can come back and experience Thinkery with their caregivers and loved ones.
What has been the impact?
Since launching the program in 2021:
- Over 2,000 BGCAA students have participated from more than 70 different BGCAA Clubs.
- More than 4,400 hours of hands-on, play-based engineering instruction has occurred.
- More than 1,611 hours of joyful learning was had a Thinkery during our field trips.
- NIers have volunteered a total of 120 hours.
These numbers represent countless smiles, ah-moments, and joyful memories being made! At the recent C.R.E.A.T.E.ing a Pipeline of Diverse Talent SXSW EDU panel, Thinkery’s Director of Professional Development, Dena de la Paz shares one of those magical moments as emersed themselves in the engineering design process to build water filters:
“We witnessed a moment of clarity when they began sharing their ideas and collaborating on their filter designs. There were plenty of ‘oh yeah! We can use these coffee filters, no wait, try this one’ moments. I’m certain I held back tears that afternoon, as the day felt truly magical. This collaborative spirit continued throughout the hour, and I believe we all felt a sense of pride and joy—both adults and students alike.“
NI’s multi-year commitment will continue to help make more ah-ha moments like this happen!