Carver after-school students at Marvin Elementary School built small wooden boats!

Christian Guzman, a certified daytime teacher who manages our 5th Grade Scholars after-school program at Marvin, obtained all the materials and tools from Home Depot (donated by a friend).

This creative project supplied our students with knowledge that will last a lifetime.

This project is one of many hands-on, project-based learning opportunities all Carver students receive after-school and during the summer. These projects and lessons give our students a foundation from which to explore all levels of learning.

Model wooden boats connect diverse subjects such as math, English, history, and science with a common thread. Each Marvin student built a ship using wooden blocks, nails, screws, a screwdriver, and a hammer.

The students learned to read the directions and follow each step as well as follow all the safety guidelines.

Hands-on project-based learning projects are recognized as an effective way to engage students of all ages. It’s not just an enrichment activity or an add-on. It’s not just incorporating hands-on activities or a research component to the lesson. This kind of activity involves learner-centered questions driven by student inquiry, not by teacher-driven exploration. It is not about adding something new but rather delving deeper into a topic, asking hard questions, and allowing time to pursue multiple answers.

Thanks to the Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative, Carver is able to offer these programs. The 21st CCLC initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to supporting local afterschool, before-school, and summer learning programs. The program serves nearly 2 million youth, nationwide through grants awarded by state education agencies. This funding awarded to Carver by the Connecticut State Department of Education through a very competitive grant process provides for academic enrichment activities that help students meet state and local achievement standards. Carver is also able to offer a broad array of additional enrichment services designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program, such as STEM programs, and physical activity and nutrition education programs. Carver also offers literacy and related educational development services to the families of children we serve.

Carver kids are ship builders!