Youth - EmBe - Page 2

Donor Spotlight: Dr. Drew Alton

Melissa Carter2021-09-01T09:44:38-05:00

The world is watching as NASA’s Perseverance Rover makes its way to Jerezro Crater on planet Mars to hunt for prehistoric fossils in the next six months. For local professor and FIRST LEGO League (FLL) volunteer Dr. Drew Alton, the mission fuels his passion to bring science, technology, engineering and math to kids across South Dakota as a volunteer and as a program collaborator. “I want them to say, ‘I could be part of that mission,’” Dr. Alton said. “It’s exactly what FLL is all about.” Dr. Alton, a professor of physics at Augustana University, has been volunteering for the [...]

Donor Spotlight: Dr. Drew AltonMelissa Carter2021-09-01T09:44:38-05:00

From YWCA to EmBe, Carol Spader’s Story

Melissa Carter2020-07-31T08:41:12-05:00

Carol Spaders's connection to EmBe began in childhood, when she was attending swimming lessons every Saturday at the YWCA (now EmBe). "Finances were tight,” Carol said, recalling her father’s diagnosis with a neurological disorder and ultimately, his death in her teenage years. “I think my mother looked for free or inexpensive experiences in the community. Hoping that she might instill a vision in her girls to go further than she could." Carol continued. Early in Carol’s career in community development, she was invited to serve on the YWCA Board. During her time on the board, Carol learned the importance of [...]

From YWCA to EmBe, Carol Spader’s StoryMelissa Carter2020-07-31T08:41:12-05:00

Star Power: Girls on the Run® Helped One Runner Regain her Shine

Melissa Carter2020-07-31T07:54:55-05:00

“I hate myself.” Cassidy Wassenaar, a Girls on the Run coach, found this message on one girl’s lap goal card after a long practice. Concerned, Wassenaar asked her about the message. The little girl explained that it had been a rough day — it was her first time in timeout since kindergarten. Wassenaar spied the perfect teaching moment. “Hating ourselves is like having a cloud over our head,” she explained. “What can we do instead?” The girl replied, “Activate our star power!” Wassenaar helped the girl to find five ways to activate her star power. Star power, a Girls on [...]

Star Power: Girls on the Run® Helped One Runner Regain her ShineMelissa Carter2020-07-31T07:54:55-05:00

2019 – 2020 FIRST LEGO League Championship Standings

Melissa Carter2020-02-06T12:33:36-06:00

February 1, 2020 (Sioux Falls, SD) - Thirty-one teams descended on the Augustana University Elmen center to pit their robots and presentation skills against one another in a fury of fun, craziness, and Coopertition®. It was the 2019 - 2020 CITY SHAPER® FIRST® LEGO® League Championship for South Dakota, and the competition was fantastic! Each of these teams competed at a Qualifier earlier in the season. They scored well enough in the Core Values, Innovation Project, and Robot Design judging and the Robot Game to earn a place in the Championship. FIRST LEGO League aims to build student interest in STEM [...]

2019 – 2020 FIRST LEGO League Championship StandingsMelissa Carter2020-02-06T12:33:36-06:00

The History of FIRST LEGO League in South Dakota

Melissa Carter2020-01-16T11:31:14-06:00

In 2008, Dr. Alan Swanson brought FIRST LEGO League to South Dakota, gathering a group of interested educators and science lovers to be coaches for what he thought would be 4 – 5 teams. A graduate of MIT, Dr. Swanson worked for many years at BAE Systems in New Hampshire – the birthplace of FIRST and FIRST LEGO League. He recognized the need for a program in South Dakota that emphasizes the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and math). After the group saw a competition in Minneapolis, MN, and the excitement and fervor of the teams. FIRST LEGO League took [...]

The History of FIRST LEGO League in South DakotaMelissa Carter2020-01-16T11:31:14-06:00

EmBe Vehicle Fund Drive

Melissa Carter2020-01-21T11:59:22-06:00

Sioux Falls (January 13, 2020) -- Friday, December 13th held true to its reputation for EmBe, when two vans and a bus were disabled in the parking lot at EmBe South, just off of 69th and Louise in Sioux Falls. EmBe uses the vehicles to safely carry children on field trips, to transport them to EmBe for care, and to support programs like FIRST LEGO League, Girls on the Run, and swimming. That day, these vehicles were taken out of service through thefts of the catalytic converters. The vans were repairable, but the bus was not, creating a needless expense. The [...]

EmBe Vehicle Fund DriveMelissa Carter2020-01-21T11:59:22-06:00

FIRST LEGO League Teams Compete in the Rapid City Qualifiers

Melissa Carter2019-12-12T10:54:25-06:00

Rapid City, SD (December 9, 2019) – Last Saturday, 20 teams met at East Middle School in Rapid City to share their research to compete with their robots and have fun! This was the second Qualifier for the 2019-2020 CITY SHAPER challenge. This tournament was hosted by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, The Rapid City Public Schools and EmBe. Taking home awards Champions- Team #41881 Ranger Robotics Robot Design and Robot Game Performance- Team # 21902 Everything Is Awesome Core Values – Team #29225 Tiger Tech Project – Team #48831 LEGO Jedi Judges’ Choice – Team #28724 Central SD [...]

FIRST LEGO League Teams Compete in the Rapid City QualifiersMelissa Carter2019-12-12T10:54:25-06:00

FIRST LEGO League Teams Compete in the Qualifier

Melissa Carter2019-12-11T15:27:18-06:00

Sioux Falls, SD (November 25, 2019) - Last Saturday, November 23 EmBe and POET hosted the first FIRST® LEGO® League Qualifier of the 2019-2020 Season. This season's challenge is CITY SHAPER, focusing on the challenges humans face as we build and maintain cities in the future. Eighteen teams met to share their research, compete with their robots and of course have fun! Congratulations to every team that competed, we are proud of all the things that you accomplished this season! Taking home awards: Judges' Award - Team #9505 Thumbs Up for Fun Project Award - Team #39009 Northstar Navigators Robot [...]

FIRST LEGO League Teams Compete in the QualifierMelissa Carter2019-12-11T15:27:18-06:00

Kori Meredith named EmBe Volunteer of the Year

Melissa Carter2019-11-07T10:46:38-06:00

Impact. Dedication. Heart for service. These words describe Kori Meredith, EmBe’s 2018 Distinguished Volunteer of the Year. Kori, a third grade teacher at Spearfish Creekside Elementary, has organized Girls on the Run at her school since 2016. Girls on the Run provides 3rd-5th grade girls with opportunities to learn about being their most joyful, healthy and best selves. None of it would be possible without Kori’s work to bring the programming to her community and sustain its impact. Thanks to Kori’s vision, nearly 200 girls have gained important life skills in teamwork, conflict resolution, and cooperation. They have been guided [...]

Kori Meredith named EmBe Volunteer of the YearMelissa Carter2019-11-07T10:46:38-06:00

EmBe Opens Doors to Girls and STEAM

Melissa Carter2019-09-26T14:50:46-05:00

EmBe is hosting Girls Maker Day Saturday, September 28, for a free, hands-on experience with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math.) “We know that children love exploring and figuring out how the world works,” said Stacy Stahl, Executive Director of Youth Programs at EmBe. “But we see the number of children – especially girls – who are interested in science start to drop as early as second grade. We are bringing together a wonderful collection of organizations to help counter that trend and help kids stay in love with science.” The fair features booths that use creative and innovation [...]

EmBe Opens Doors to Girls and STEAMMelissa Carter2019-09-26T14:50:46-05:00