MBRT is passionate about providing a hands-on approach to learning, helping establish the real-world application of the concepts they are learning. Starting with our in-classroom STEM Specialists program, Next Generation Scholars Learning Experiences, and now summer opportunities, we believe that this approach is the most impactful. This summer, students across the state had the opportunity to dig in a bit more through our signature programs.
Summer of Service was established to provide students with the opportunity to engage in various community service projects that align with their interests and passions, providing them with guidance and support to participate in meaningful service activities that not only fulfill their graduation requirements but also allow them to make a positive impact in their communities. This program aims to empower students to take an active role in their own personal and academic development while fostering a sense of civic responsibility and community engagement. This summer, our Next Generation Scholars earned over 330 hours through organized, pragmatic Summer of Service opportunities.
In Allegany County, students joined together to support National Night Out, a nationwide community-building campaign. The NGS scholars were responsible for the set-up of their program table, where they were also tasked with educating visitors about the NGS program while supporting neighborhood camaraderie, making their community a safe and caring place to live. This mirrors the positive impact that structured summer programs can have on community engagement.
Similarly, NGS students in Caroline County also engaged with their community at the annual Summerfest festival in Denton. Students offered their support to the event staff by overseeing the arts and crafts booth, helping participants make themed art. Students also operated a selfie booth for families to use to commemorate their experience at the festival.
In addition to working with the communities from an event standpoint, students also developed skills through their service projects. Students in Dorchester County teamed up with the county Government Planning Office to clean out files and move to storage. In Kent County, students join forces with Shore Rivers to assist in turbulation of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). Out of the three turbulators in the world, one exists in Kent County! This hands-on engagement is in line with the goal of ensuring students have opportunities for summer learning, work, or internships.
Additionally, we introduced a new initiative this summer – the Summer of STEM. In partnership with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MBRT curated two immersive STEM-based programs, ‘Saving Our Environment‘ and ‘Protecting Our Invisible Borders,’ for over 200 rising 10th-grade students. These programs, with support from MBRT partners, provided students with hands-on workshops rooted in themed content, giving them an opportunity to delve deeper into STEM subjects. This resonates with the research that emphasizes the importance of structured summer programs in promoting academic readiness.
At MBRT, we are continually innovating and evolving our programs to ensure students receive the best support possible, aligning with research-based best practices for summer learning.
