MALCOLM JENKINS FOUNDATION EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH DREXEL FOR YOUNG DRAGONS SUMMER STEAM CAMP

The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation is expanding its partnership with Drexel University’s Expressive and Creative Interaction Technologies (ExCITe) Center and Lindy Center for Civic Engagement  to offer a summer camp for local students to learn, experiment and experience the interplay between science, technology, engineering, arts, athletics and mathematics (STEAM).

Initially piloted with the ExCITe Center in 2016, Summer STEAM offers middle school students living near Drexel’s campus the opportunity to participate in unique arts-science learning activities. Starting in 2017, the Young Dragons program merged the Summer STEAM curriculum with the established literacy and enrichment programs of the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement for a free six-week camp. The day camp, which is open to students entering fifth through eighth grades, will be held at Drexel this summer. “The goal of this innovative program is to engage, educate and inspire students, regardless of their background or financial resources, to explore cutting-edge science, technology, engineering, arts, athletics, and mathematics — STEAM — in a creative and exciting format,” said Youngmoo Kim, PhD, director of the ExCITe Center.

As part of the six-week camp, students in Young Dragons will explore music technology (acoustics and sound synthesis), visual arts (geometry and drawing/painting), computer game design and coding, dance (biology and movement) and athletics (sports science and technology). New modules will illustrate the basics of engineering behind the design of sneakers and building music-playing robots.The Young Dragons program has been designed specifically to meet the needs of children living in close proximity to Drexel. This two-square-mile is a federally designated Promise Zone due to challenges it faces associated with persistent poverty.

“The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation is thrilled to be part of this unique collaboration which is having a tremendous impact on Philadelphia youth,” said Malcolm Jenkins, Eagles safety and the founder and chairman of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation.Young Dragons is an extension of the educational programs currently offered by the Foundation, including Project R.E.W.A.R.D.S., a life skills curriculum and The Malcolm Jenkins Scholars.Young Dragons students will participate in a special Open House event on June 18th. Campers will have the opportunity to meet Malcolm Jenkins and participate in a preview of upcoming STEAM activities.

Malcolm Jenkins Showcases Sports Science To Local Students

For the second year, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation teamed up with Drexel University's ExCITe Center to host elementary and middle school students from the Philadelphia Promise Zone to provide them with the ability to learn using the S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts, athletics, and math) method. After a successful one-week pilot program in 2016, the Young Dragons Summer S.T.E.A.M. day camp was expanded to six weeks with two weeks focused on S.T.E.A.M.-based curriculum."Our school system is forced to think about budgets and performance, and what happens is it just becomes a pipeline instead of a true educational institution. As long as they're pushing kids through, that's all that matters. They're missing a bunch of talent, especially in these underserved communities," Jenkins said. "There are talented and bright minds that need to be cultivated or given an opportunity to grow. This is an opportunity for us to spark some of those minds and let the kids go where they may."On Friday, Jenkins hosted over 40 of the students at the NovaCare Complex to show how the Eagles' Sports Science program incorporates all of the elements of S.T.E.A.M. Jenkins had a lightbulb moment while working out one day at the team's practice facility this offseason. He saw the monitor which displays a player’s power output while lifting weights and the students came to mind.

  "I thought this would be an awesome experience to bring the kids here and talk to them about sports science and what goes into practice, training, recovery, and rest," Jenkins said.Head strength coach Josh Hingst and director of high performance Shaun Huls embraced the idea and they did a similar presentation to the one that they give the players.The students spent time in the indoor bubble learning how to stretch properly before running through an obstacle course. They received healthy eating tips and grasped the importance of getting the proper amount of sleep every night. Jenkins admitted though that his favorite part of the day, however, was seeing the kids' faces light up with the technology that is used in the weight room."Coming to Philly, we realized that there is a jewel of resources right in the heart of the city that many kids don't have access to," said Gwendolyn Jenkins, Malcolm's mother and the president of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. "A part of the goal with the S.T.E.A.M. program is to provide them access to resources right there in their neighborhoods and to expose them to a way of learning that would introduce them to the industry of S.T.E.A.M."It can help them make choices and deal with challenges in everyday life that they learn through S.T.E.A.M., but also make good education choices and hopefully will inspire them to spark something of interest like maybe a career in science or math because they didn't have the knowledge or the understanding of how it plays with everything else they do in life. That's the goal."The Philadelphia Promise Zone is a two-mile section of West Philadelphia that was designated by the Obama administration because of an extremely high poverty rate of 51 percent, nearly double that of the rest of the city. The initiative helps connect local residents with organizations that work to provide better education, jobs, housing, and health services."The biggest thing we want to do with the foundation is give underserved children experiences. Personally, I know how all of these experiences I've had as an adult have made me who I am. I know how much a difference it has made in my life. I really want to give kids the opportunities that they otherwise wouldn't have," Malcolm Jenkins said.Jenkins was the recipient of the Byron “Whizzer” White Award in 2017, which is the "highest honor" given by the NFLPA to "the player who is just as dedicated off the field as he is on the field through community service in their team cities and hometowns." Since launching The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation in 2010, Jenkins has created special programs and events in his hometown of Piscataway, New Jersey and the three places where he's played football at the college and professional levels: Columbus, Ohio; New Orleans, and Philadelphia."I think we all have an obligation to use our platform, whatever it is, to make a difference to others and in the lives of others and to make this place we're living in a better place," Gwendolyn Jenkins said. "He has a large platform and he's using it to the fullest. That's all you can ask for, really. Making a difference. That's what life is about. How many lives did you impact? I think he's doing a great job. As a mom, I'm proud of that moreso than the football."Original article by Chris McPherson: http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Malcolm-Jenkins-Showcases-Sports-Science-To-Local-Students/2f2d77a9-732f-47ba-b4b4-1d4f3c1c2b8e

YOUNG DRAGONS

The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation is expanding its partnership with Drexel University offering a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Design, Athletics, and Mathematics) infused summer program, called Young Dragons. Participating students will have the opportunity to examine technology and science through visual and performance arts and athletics, utilizing the methodology of the holistic STEAM approach.Initially piloted with the ExCITe Center in 2016 as Summer STEAM, this summer camp collaboration offers elementary and middle school students living near Drexel’s campus the opportunity to participate in a FREE six-week program with two-weeks of focused STEAM enrichment. This summer’s camp merges the STEAM curriculum piloted in 2016 with the established literacy and enrichment programs of 21st Century Learning Center and Lindy Center for Civic Engagement.͞The goal of this unique transdisciplinary program is to engage, educate and inspire students, regardless of their background or financial resources, to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, athletics, and mathematics — STEAM — in a creative and engaging form.  As part of the six week camp, students in Young Dragons will explore Music Technology (Acoustics and Sound Synthesis), Visual Arts (Geometry and Drawing/Painting), Computer Game Design & Coding, and Dance (Biology and Movement). The program’s Athletics module will illustrate how science and technology can enhance physical health and training. All participants will have the opportunity to develop individual inquiry-based projects and participate in a student showcase on the last day of camp. STEAM enrichment would compromise a two-week portion within the six-week camp.

The Young Dragons program has been designed specifically to meet the needs of children living in close proximity to Drexel, in a two-square-mile area called the Promise Zone that has been federally designated for support due to the challenges it faces associated with persistent poverty.

The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation is thrilled to be part of this unique collaboration, which will have a tremendous impact on Philadelphia youth. 

 

When youth are exposed to new experiences like Summer S.T.E.A.M., they can see what’s possible, whether that’s a future career in music technology or coding or another S.T.E.A.M. field.  It’s our vision and goal to provide them with a unique, innovative program that will open their minds and motivate them to complete their education,  said Malcolm Jenkins, Eagles Safety and the Founder & Chairman of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation.

 

The Young Dragons program is an extension of the educational programs currently offered by the Foundation, including Project R.E.W.A.R.D.S., a life skills curriculum and the Malcolm Jenkins Scholars. Prior to the start of the camp, students from McMichael School will participate in a creative Young Dragons Logo Design Competition. The student winner will be announced at ExCITe’s Open House on June 2 and have his or her logo design showcased on the program tee shirts.

 

On Friday, July 21, the Young Dragons will also have the opportunity to take an interactive tour of the Eagles facility and practice field. While at the facility,

students will engage in athletics and technology-focused learning modules, such as tracking their power outputs using the Eagles athletic training technology and participating in a special obstacle course, to gain first-hand experience of the importance of STEAM in a professional sports setting.

The expanded offerings in the Young Dragons program allows us to reach more children in the Promise Zone and engage them in the 21st Century skills enabled by STEAM learning.

                                                                       

Young Dragons is open to students entering first through eighth grades. It will be held at Drexel from June 26th to August 4th from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM.   Applications for this year’s Young Dragons’ program open on April 17th and will be made available through the following schools: Alain Locke Elementary, Morton McMichael School, and Martha Washington Elementary.For more information, please reach out to SMT@excitecenter.org indicating Young Dragons in the subject line.