For the past five months, DIVAS for Social Justice has worked extremely hard to pivot to remote learning for their Southeast Queens participants. Schools and Community Based Organizations have been given an unforeseen challenge of providing education on a remote basis until there is a vaccine for COVID-19. In an effort to really examine how DIVAS can continue to have youth actualize social action through technology, the programming needed to be reimagined.
Through the support of Google Classroom, Zoom and the development of the organization’s first online learning platform, there’s hope. To ensure, there is direct engagement, the organization made a conscious decision to only provide synchronous learning to our constituents. The drop in virtual camp is free for youth in 6-8th grade. The majority of facilitators teach directly from the organization’s office in Brooklyn following all of the CDC’s guidelines. Face coverings are worn and only removed when addressing students via a platform behind a barrier and 10 feet away from others.
Participants are given an interactive challenge each week and a contactless delivery of STEAM based items are left at their doorstep. Thus far there have been two challenges:
- Redesign Of The VR Google Cardboard Headset– The 1st challenge covered the criteria of learning the importance of accessibility to new technology and provide an affordable way for youth to view the current social action project of The Garden Of Resilience through an immersive way while being safe.
- The Go Green Challenge– Since youth may not be given permission to travel directly to the The Garden Of Resilience. Each participant received a pumpkin plant seedling to plant in a space in their home and a Micro Green Kits. MicroGreens highlight the understanding of germination. Both items emphasize the importance of healthy food options and address the issue of food insecurity.
The challenge winners are rewarded with an e-gift card.
In addition to the virtual challenges students are learning Community Journalism and Sound Editing. Students are also learning to navigate a sophisticated online learning module system, that is comparable and used for online college courses.Our facilitators have also encouraged them to participate in the Department of Design & Construction’s STEAM Lunch and Learn and Julia Robinson Math Festival’s Weekly Virtual Challenge
While technology can never replace the importance of in-person learning and the bond between a true educator and student, DIVAS have been blessed with “The Dream Team”, in the students from P.S 156 and I.S 192. In the face of adversity and at such a young age our children have been put in a position to self-motivate and that is no easy task. In order to facilitate their learning they have no choice but to multi-task between numerous digital media platforms. The students have been consistent and resilient and the are the Dream Team.
DIVAS for Social Justice will continue to develop design challenges for middle school students in the age of COVID-19 If you are interested in your middle school student participating, please reach out at: cj@divasforsocialjustice.org
