Building Tomorrow's Problem-Solvers, One Afterschool Session at a Time
- eliotp4
- Oct 27
- 3 min read
This fall, more than 500 students across Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, and Washington, DC are discovering that engineering isn't just something that happens in textbooks—it's in the racecars they're building, the shelters they're designing, and the pollination problems they're solving.
At LET'S GO, our afterschool programs are doing far more than keeping kids engaged after the final bell rings. We're creating spaces where young minds learn to think like engineers, ask questions like scientists, and persist through challenges like innovators.
Why Afterschool STEM Matters
Afterschool programs serve as a critical bridge—filling the gap between the school day and family time with enriching, hands-on learning that many students wouldn't otherwise access. For working families, these programs provide safe, supervised environments where children can explore their curiosity. For communities, they represent an investment in the future workforce, building a new generation of problem-solvers and critical thinkers. As for the students themselves? Afterschool STEM programs spark confidence, teach collaboration, and show students that they belong in science and engineering fields.
Research consistently shows that students in quality afterschool programs demonstrate improved academic performance, better attendance, and stronger social-emotional skills. But perhaps most importantly, these programs make STEM accessible and exciting—transforming abstract concepts into tangible, memorable experiences.
What Our Students Are Learning This Fall?
Walk into any of our program sites this season, and you'll see the power of STEM—where curiosity meets creativity, and every challenge becomes an opportunity to innovate:
At Lakeland Elementary-Middle, our 2nd and 3rd graders are engineering racecars using the LEGO Education BricQ Motion Essential Set. They're not just building—they're exploring forces, motion, and friction, making predictions about which designs will win the race, and learning to recognize patterns in their results.
Our youngest engineers—kindergarteners at Wolfe Street Academy—gather for rug time to work through the Engineering is Elementary "Designing Shelters" curriculum. They're discovering that engineers help people by solving problems, and that even at age five, they can think like designers.
At Westport Academy, 2nd and 3rd graders are discovering the wonder of science through hands-on magic science experiments. They're learning that science isn't just about formulas and facts—it's about curiosity, investigation, and the thrill of discovery as they explore phenomena that seem magical but are grounded in scientific principles.
At Govans Elementary, 2nd grade engineers are diving into the "Engineering Pumpkin Pollinators" curriculum. They begin by designing a model bench for people waiting at a bus stop—an introductory activity that teaches them to consider the needs of real users in their community. From there, they'll connect STEM to nature, understanding the vital role that pollinators play in our food system and designing solutions to help them thrive.
At Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso (FAN) Youth Center, young engineers and neighbors of SE DC unite for hands-on STEM challenges. In “Wind Warriors,” teams design wind-powered vehicles to see whose travels the farthest, learning about aerodynamics, energy, and teamwork. In “The Spinning Maze,” they use circuits and logic to create mazes that spin and guide a bead to the center. At FAN, STEM is more than science and math—it’s a celebration of community problem-solving, creativity, and the joy of discovery.
At Marshall Hope Learning Center, first generation American students connect biology and engineering through hands-on STEM activities. They began by exploring DNA, the blueprint of life; building colorful candy models to visualize its structure and learn about its function. Next, students applied biomechanical engineering principles when they designed and tested safety helmets. The students' goal was to protect children from head injuries, using real-world examples from sports, and their knowledge of the brain's function to guide their work.
Fostering Innovation within Collaboration
Twenty-one FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams at Saint Ignatius Loyola Academy, Govans Elementary, Wolfe Street Academy, Lakeland Elementary-Middle, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, Y in Central Maryland Community Schools are embarking on an archaeological adventure in this season's UNEARTHED challenge. Students are designing, building, and programming autonomous LEGO robots to complete missions while researching how ancient innovations shape our present and future. As they prepare for regional tournaments, these young archaeologist-engineers are discovering that innovation isn't just about creating something new—it's about understanding where we've been to imagine where we can go, learning that engineering is as much about collaboration and creativity as it is about technical skills.
The Impact Beyond the Classroom
When a student successfully builds a racecar that zooms across the finish line, they're not just learning about physics—they're learning that they're capable. When a team solves a FIRST LEGO League mission together, they build communication skills they'll use throughout their lives. When a kindergartener designs a shelter, they begin to see themselves as someone who can change the world.
These afterschool hours are when magic happens—when struggling students find their strength, when shy children discover their voice, and when every child gets the message: You belong in STEM.
For families juggling work schedules, LET'S GO provides peace of mind. For communities seeking economic vitality, we're cultivating the next generation of innovators. And for our students, we're opening doors to futures they might never have imagined.
This fall, across three jurisdictions and hundreds of eager young minds, we're not just teaching STEM—we're building a stronger, more innovative tomorrow, one afterschool session at a time.
