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May 2014 Creativity Hacked
Lafayette Today ~ January 2014 - Page 25
By Fran Miller
Jill Marek of Lafayette looked long and hard for extracurricular activities that would allow her 10-year-old to exercise his inventor dreams. She was specifically looking for STEM activities (science/technology/engineering/math) within a likeminded community. What she ultimately found was a relatively new and unique youth group entitled “Creativity Hacked.” Creativity Hacked not only met her STEM requirements, but they threw-in an “A” for art as well – providing STEAM. Creativity Hacked is a thoroughly modern take on organized youth group activities. It is an inclusive non-profit organization that provides real world education, skill building and community engagement for boys and girls ages 8 – 14. At the end of their first year in Creativity Hacked, participants will be able
to solder, recognize, and understand basic circuit components, program simple loops, hand stitch, machine sew, use open-source CAD for prototype design, and have a positive attitude to tackle challenges. Founded in the fall of 2012 in Oakland as “Hacker Scouts,” legal action by another scouting group led to a re-branding, and Creativity Hacked emerged. They now boast 40 chapters, or guilds, throughout the country. Their goal is to prepare the next generation for a complex world through creative innovation and adaptation to new technology, and to promoting collaboration as well as sustainability. And like the other scouting group, Creativity Hacked offers its own variety of merit badges in six categories: programming, robotics, electronics, mechanical, art, and textiles. They also focus on “Pillars of Character,” such as resourcefulness and persistence. Following the mantra “a relentless pursuit of knowledge,” Creativity Hacked gives kids the opportunity to work with a variety of experts and mentors from the community while ensuring a high level of attention for all its young members. Guild Masters encourage participants to dream big and create big, and they aspire to help children develop skills and abilities in the areas in which they
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Serving the Lafayette Community Cake4Kids By Fran Miller
Just as Valentine’s Day and chocolates go together, and July 4th goes with fireworks, so do birthdays and cake. Some may argue that a birthday isn’t properly celebrated unless a cake makes an appearance. But what if a birthday takes place while one is seeking refuge in a crisis center, or is in the care of harried foster parents, or is at a shelter or group home where baking is the last thing on anyone’s mind? Enter Cake4Kids, a unique Bay Area organization whose volunteers aim to fill the birthday cake void for disadvantaged and at-risk children and youth. A Cakes4Kids volunteer baker adds the finishing Cake4Kids volunteers bake and touches to a birthday cake that will be delivered decorate cakes in their home to a child in need. kitchens for delivery to at-risk youth, ages one to 21. Serving a wide variety of Bay Area agencies, the Cake4Kids’ mission is to help one child at a time feel good about his or her self at least one day each year. “We are serving children who, due to extreme circumstances, are often forgotten on their birthdays,” says Cake4Kids board member and acting executive director Julie Eades. “We know that that these children are receiving basic essentials and support from the wonderful agencies we serve, and we strive to provide a little something more. Making and delivering a cake is such a simple act that can make a huge difference to a child’s sense of self. Children who are loved and valued
See Cake continued on page 16
Lafayette Students off to World Competition By Michelle Regan
Lafayette 4th and 5th grade Odyssey of the Mind Division 1 “Driver’s Test” team: Kaitlyn Srinivasan, Charlie Schofield, Nathanial McManus, Peter Husch, Matthew Brock-Utne, William McGlothlen, and Cole Regan.
Lafayette 4th and 5th graders are heading to Iowa for the World Finals for the Odyssey of See Creativity continued on page 16 the Mind’s Division 1 “Driver’s Test.” The team secured a 1st place finish at the San Francisco PRSRT STD Bay Region competition and a 2nd place U.S. Postage finish at the California State Competition to PAID earn the honor of representing California in Permit 21 Lafayette, CA the elementary school division. The competition includes constructing ECRWSS
See Odyssey continued on page 18
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