“Kappabotics” STEM Raceday at the Capital Area YMCA
On Wednesday May 15th the staff leadership of the Capital Area YMCA in Trenton, NJ lived up to the slogan on the interior walls aligning with their values “We’re for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility” successfully collaborating, sponsoring, and hosting for the third consecutive year along with the Trenton Alumni Chapter Kappa Alpha PSI Fraternity their “Kappabotics” race day community outreach event.
This increasing popular community event consists of 10 inner city youths who were offered the rewarding opportunity to showcase and race their own unique ARRMA Gorgon RC electric 2-wheel drive race car they fervently designed and engineered reaching up to 43 MPH under the mentorship of the Trenton Guide Right Kappa STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) program that spanned over an 8-week period meeting for two hours each week.
After the registration process, Victoria Gist, YMCA’s School Age Childhood Director, has a specific selection process to choose the 10 children who will participate in the program. The criteria are based on students who demonstrated satisfactory academic performance with their grades, attendance, and behavior in the classroom. Mrs. Gist mentioned that she is happy to “see more females getting involved,” overcoming the intimidation of gender stereotypes with racing cars and learning STEM around their male peers.
On Your Mark, Get set, Go!
The Y’s gymnasium floor is lined with 20-foot pieces of flexible corrugated plastic drainage piping along with plastic bumpers to contain and create the indoor racetrack. There are about five races throughout the evening where the winners from each race compete in a final race for the first, second and third place trophies. Each participating child is also recognized with a Certificate of Achievement Award by the Kappa members, YMCA, and NJ State Legislature at the completion of the race to signify their achievements.
It’s not all about the prizes as last year’s winner, Teyanah Chiles, explains how she appreciates the environment to “make friendships and learn how to race.” Her remarks are reinforced by Capital Area YMCA CEO, Louise McCants, “So many of our children are not exposed to hands on STEM products and to work one on one with a member of Kappa Alpha PSI gives kids confidence of knowing they can one day go to college as all the members have.”
You don’t have to look too far to spot proven pillars of the community who have been able to become successful products through the benefits of KAPPA mentorship programs such as the Director of Kappa League, Justin Porter, who is employed by NJ based Johnson & Johnson. He speaks about his influence for the youth such as, Khaire Porter, who acknowledges the positive impact to his morale with having such an opportunity of being able to participate in such a beneficial social setting with his friends, community, and family to witness their achievements.
As the night starts to dwindle many of the racers are heard talking enthusiastically about next year already when they get to do it all over again and the changes they will make to their cars. Newcomer, Bella Bullocks, joyfully speaks of her experience that she is “learning a lot about STEM and the best part is being able to race” with friends. Her proud father Eric Bullock, YMCA Chief Operations Officer spectates and assists keeping the cars inside the designated racing area, making repairs. His continuing motto for the youth and his community is “Do as much as you can, for as long as you can, for as many as you can.”
