Sunday morning club delivers skills and fun in Thenue community
The ‘3D-STEM Club’ from Thenue Communities has just completed its first 12-week term and been an instant hit with Castlemilk youngsters.
A club for youngsters to learn new skills and nurture their creative talent has been hailed as a big success.
The ‘3D-STEM Club’ from Thenue Communities has just completed its first 12-week term and been an instant hit with Castlemilk youngsters.
It takes place at the Netherholm Hall and delivers learning in a fun setting with a firm emphasis on science, technology, engineering, maths and 3D printing.
The club is run by husband and wife team Frank and Joan Soutar – Thenue Housing tenants and active members of the community – who give up their time voluntarily to help local kids.
Now retired, Frank uses his design skills, honed over many years, to educate the young people in a fun and appealing way.
They are supported each Sunday by education professionals, science tutor Alisdair Gray and early years tutor Hazel Leggat.
The young people, aged between seven and 13, learn about 3D printing, designing products of their choice using high-tech printers, purchased by the Netherholm Area Association, engage in fun science projects and enjoy craftwork, including painting the 3D models. They also receive breakfast.
Funding has generously been provided for the club from the National Lottery's Awards for All Scotland project and financial support from retailer Co-op, which has a long tradition of helping communities.
Frank Soutar said: “The purpose of the club is to nurture the creative thinking of our young people who demonstrate commitment, intelligence, initiative and teamwork. Each day is full of chaotic, fast-paced creative, funny and clever activity.”
The club is an example of how the Netherholm Hall – the realisation of years of community campaigning by the Netherholm Area Association and others to deliver a facility for local people – is supporting local families. It celebrates its fifth birthday in August.
It was created with a state-of-the-art information technology suite which is perfect for the STEM Club.
Fifteen of the young participants are now enrolled with Glasgow Kelvin College which, together with the Wheatley Foundation, fund and maintain the computer technology and equipment.
Thenue Housing has a long-standing connection with the college as partners in delivering learning opportunities.
One of the participants, Oliver, aged seven, said: “I love it. I live just round the corner and look forward to coming here on a Sunday with my friends. It’s great fun.”
The club will resume in August after the summer break.