February 15, 2014. in recognition of National Engineering Week, Esperanza hosted a Creation Station event at Esperanza College located at 4261 N 5th Street in Hunting Park. Creation Station featured free hands-on science and engineering activities, local robotics teams, and workshops for students and their families.
The event was a resounding success. Despite the poor weather conditions, Creation Station attracted nearly 130 community members. Event participants engaged in engineering and science activities related to exploring UV properties—UV bracelets, aerodynamics through a paper airplane “make and take” station, K’NEX construction and bridge building, proportion and balance with Keva planks, and rocket propulsion and thrust . Additionally, participants were able to engage in a bamboo bike build, build-a-boat float, and an infrared night vision workshop led by engineering students from Drexel University.
The event was held in partnership with The Franklin Institute and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers as well as the Hunting Park Community Science Network, a coalition of community-based organization serving the Hunting Park community and dedicated to providing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) events in Hunting Park.
Esperanza, the Franklin Institute, and the Hunting Park Community Science Network are now focused on Discovery Day, the next big STEM event for the community. Discovery Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, and will be held in Hunting Park, the 87 acre park and namesake of the local community. Discovery Day will include the hands-on science and engineering included in Creation Station as well as additional activities offered by local businesses, schools, and community-based organizations.
Discovery Day is an event for the entire Philadelphia community. All events will be free and open to the public. Esperanza expects the event to attract at least 500 community residents.
For more information on Hunting Park United’s Family Fitness Day, please contact: Jeannette Rowland, at jrowland@esperanza.us.
Esperanza –, Esperanza, a non-profit organization located in Hunting Park, was founded in 1987 in response to the challenges and opportunities in North Philadelphia’s Latino community. Our mission statement is: Driven by the biblical mandate to serve and advocate for “the least of these,” Esperanza strengthens Hispanic communities. Founded by Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr. and the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia, Esperanza has a strong commitment to the North Philadelphia community.
The Hunting Park Community Science Network – The Hunting Park Community Science Network seeks to engage and excite neighborhood residents in the wonders of science and inspire them to interact with science, engineering, and technology events and activities on a more regular basis.