Children living in shelters face unique challenges that extend far beyond housing instability. The disruption to their education, combined with the stress of uncertain circumstances, can create significant learning gaps that follow them for years.
This is precisely why CARELink prioritizes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in our programming. When we bring hands-on science workshops to shelters, we’re not just teaching kids about physics or chemistry—we’re showing them that learning can be fun, accessible, and empowering, regardless of their current circumstances.
The Power of Hands-On Learning
Traditional classroom education can feel intimidating or inaccessible for children experiencing housing instability. They may have missed weeks of school, fallen behind in coursework, or simply lost confidence in their academic abilities. STEM workshops offer a fresh start. When a child successfully launches a paper airplane they designed or builds a tower that stands on its own, they experience immediate, tangible success. These small victories rebuild confidence and reignite curiosity.
Our catapult challenges and marshmallow tower activities teach engineering principles without textbooks or tests. Kids learn about structural integrity, force, trajectory, and problem-solving through trial and error—and they have fun doing it. This approach removes the pressure and anxiety often associated with “school” while still delivering valuable educational content.
Beyond the Science: Building Life Skills
STEM workshops also develop critical soft skills. Teamwork emerges naturally when kids collaborate on building projects. Problem-solving becomes second nature when an initial design fails and they need to iterate. Resilience develops when experiments don’t work the first time, and creativity flourishes when there are multiple solutions to a challenge.
These skills transfer directly to other areas of life. A child who learns to approach a failed tower design with curiosity rather than frustration is building emotional regulation. A student who works with peers to solve an engineering challenge is developing communication and collaboration skills that will serve them throughout their education and career.
Creating Normalcy and Joy
Perhaps most importantly, STEM workshops provide moments of normalcy and joy. For children living in shelters, life can feel unpredictable and stressful. Having volunteers arrive with exciting materials, engaging activities, and genuine enthusiasm creates bright spots in difficult times. These experiences help children remember that they’re still kids—capable, creative, and deserving of fun and enrichment.
Parents and shelter staff consistently report that children talk about our workshops for weeks afterward. The excitement doesn’t end when we pack up; it lingers, creating positive associations with learning and building anticipation for future educational opportunities.
The Ripple Effect
When we invest in STEM education for children in shelters, we’re investing in their futures. We’re showing them that science and engineering are for everyone, not just kids in well-funded schools. We’re proving that their current circumstances don’t define their potential. And we’re planting seeds of curiosity that may grow into careers in STEM fields or simply a lifelong love of learning.
At CARELink, we believe every child deserves access to quality educational experiences. Shelter walls shouldn’t be barriers to exploration, discovery, and growth. That’s why we’ll continue bringing STEM education directly to the children who need it most—one paper airplane, one catapult, one marshmallow tower at a time.
Want to support STEM education for children in shelters? Visit our Donate page or contact us about volunteering.
