Youth Initiatives:
LakeStreet
Youth Labs
Welcome to LakeStreet Youth Labs!
Our student-centered programming is designed by a team of experienced educators, community partners, and GMCC staff. The core beliefs driving the program design process are: every young person has genius; all youth deserve access to high-quality educational methods and the latest technologies; and the well-being of the whole child (mental, physical, spiritual, intellectual) is critical to fostering youth development.
We focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) programming, tutoring and homework help, digital access, career exploration, and meeting the immediate needs of the youth and families in our neighborhood.
Current Programming
Classes in partnership with Andersen United Middle School, Beacons Afterschool, & MPS Community Education:
Open Art Studio
On Mondays, students will choose between multiple available art mediums, – including oil pastels, paint, clay, collage, drawing, and more – to work on personal or guided class projects.
Art on Wheels
On Tuesdays, students will go on exciting bike adventures around the neighborhood and create art inspired by nature and their surroundings. Bikes included! Offered in partnership with Stewart Park and Minneapolis Parks & Rec Board.
Digital Art Lab
On Wednesdays, students will use technology to explore the world of digital art. Weekly workshop topics will include photography, stop-motion animation, graphic design, 3D printing and more!
Saturday Programming at GMCC:
Career & Leadership Development
A PAID leadership & career opportunity for 9th-12th graders:
Leadership Cohort
10-student cohort that will meet Wednesdays & Saturdays from September 25th-December 21st, 2024 to participate in planning, advising, and developing programming for LYL Youth Initiatives and the Career Development cohort.
Leadership Cohort members will be paid $15/hour
Career Exploration Cohort
10-student cohort that will join the Leadership Cohort January 8th-March 29th, 2025 to engage in job shadowing, mock interviews, resume building, and other workforce readiness activities.
For both cohorts: $500 completion award and a $500 education stipend upon completing 70% of sessions
STEAM Saturdays
Our Fall series of STEAM Saturdays is almost here! On Saturdays, from 10 AM-12 PM, 1st-5th graders are invited to participate in STEAM projects and activities with visitors such as createMPLS, Ney Nature Center, Northern Clay Center, and more!
This is a FREE program and snack will be included!
STEAM Saturdays will be held at GMCC from October 26 to December 14 – there will be NO programming November 30.
Questions? Contact us:
Meghann Gordon, Director of Youth Initatives: mgordon@gmcc.org or 612-588-4655
Deeq Abdi, Youth Program Manager: dabdi@gmcc.org or 612-1579
Previous Programming – 2024 STEAM Summer
During the month of August, we held a second year of our NO-COST, full-day summer camp for students entering 1st-8th grade. Campers participated in STEAM activities with visiting instructors, outdoor play, games, reading, and weekly field trips.
Each week had a different theme; click below to read Engage posts about each week:
Week 1: Fun with Friends
Week 2: Robots Rule!
Week 3: Wild Wilderness
Week 4: Art Adventures
Week 5: Summer Sun
Stay tuned for our STEAM Summer Yearbook with photos, art, & stories from camp!
SPRING 2024
STEAM Saturdays
GMCC hosted another round of Saturday sessions, now branded as STEAM Saturdays. Elementary-aged youth explored a variety of science topics like energy and light filtration with curriculum from the Bell Museum. Students also engaged in artistic activities with visiting partners like Northern Clay Center, Articulture, and Art Start, who taught them pottery, weaving, and more!
Middle and high school youth participated in a series on coding and Lego robotics with createMPLS. They built and coded Lego cars, and then raced each other!
Multimedia Expression
In partnership with Andersen United Middle School, GMCC hosted a weekly Monday workshop exploring different methods of creating art & media, such as painting, comics, sculpture, and stop motion animation! Students learned about the history of each medium and related careers.
Work Hard, Play Hard!
In partnership with Andersen United Middle School and Stewart Park, GMCC held weekly afterschool sessions on Tuesdays including homework help, brain games, and outdoor sports and recreation activities.
Fall 2023 Family Programs
In Fall 2023, we offered programming for both youth and adults three days a week, out of GMCC’s facility.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we offered tutoring for students grades 1-12. Students received homework help and mentorship from skilled tutors, and had access to our computer lab.
Parents and adult community members also had open computer lab access, where they could utilize self-guided curriculum on basic digital navigation and literacy, and receive support from staff with navigating computer and internet use.
On Saturdays, elementary-aged youth participated in LakeStreet Youth Labs, where they built STEAM skills through hands-on educational activities. We were visited by instructors from a variety of organizations, such as the U of M Chemistry Department (chemical reactions), Dodge Nature Center (live animals), and Minnesota Department of Transportation (model bridge building).
Middle and high school youth participated in Tech Teens, where they took training to become paid Digital Navigators and explored careers with STEAM professionals.
Parents/adults engaged in guided curriculum on topics like media literacy, online banking, cyber security, and job searching.
Spring 2023 Family Workshop Series
In Spring 2023, we offered a series of workshops on nine Saturdays, geared towards families. We had specific programs for both parents and youth from elementary school to high school.
We provided parents with guidance on how to support their children’s education, understand teacher expectations, build self-esteem, support mental health, advocate for their children’s needs, and promote healthy lifestyle choices.
Middle and high school youth participated in our Tech Teens program, which included programming on coding, information technology, and digital learning opportunities to help them succeed in school. This curriculum was provided in partnership with New Visions Foundation. The series culminated in students coding their own web pages and presenting them to parents and peers.
Informed by our LakeStreet Youth Labs programming, elementary-aged youth participated in engaging and educational STEAM activities to excite them about learning and build their skills in a variety of subjects. We partnered with organizations such as Snapology (Lego robotics), the Bakken Museum (electricity), Abrakadoodle (art), the Book Buggie (free books), and more!
2023 LSYL Summer Camp
(formerly Genius Labs)
In August 2023, we provided a no-cost, all day (9-5) summer camp to 58 students grades 1-8.
Students engaged in STEAM activities, outdoor exploration, reading, and more! We explored weekly topics such as agriculture, space, electricity, Minnesota wildlife, and everything in between. And every Friday, we took students on fun field trips to places like the Bell Museum, Fort Snelling State Park, and Whetstone Farm. Students really enjoyed making new friends and learning outside of school!
To read more about the 2023 LakeStreet Youth Labs Summer Camp, click the link below or scroll to check out a digital version of our yearbook, which compiles photos, art, quotes, and stories from the summer:
2023 LakeStreet Youth Labs Summer Camp Yearbook
Tech Teens
Tech Teens was a Saturday out-of-school experience that focused on the development of digital technology skills through hands-on, challenge-based activities that foster creativity, independence, critical thinking, and self-awareness. The goal of Tech Teens was to spark an interest in technology, expose students to the many areas of the tech field, and position them for careers in technology or those that require use of technology.
Tech Teens continues through the teen segment of STEAM Saturdays, focusing on topics such as coding and robotics.
