By Richard Caines

SALISBURY — A community center in Salisbury has expanded its programming with a grant from the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.

A May 29 ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Newton Street Community Center for the opening of a STEM lab. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math.

Salisbury Community Relations Manager Rachel Manning said they were made aware of the foundation’s program through their partnership with the Truitt Street Boys & Girls Club.

Founded to honor the legacy and life of Cal Ripken, Sr., a longtime coach and mentor, the foundation prepares at-risk youth for life’s challenges by teaching them critical life skills such as teamwork, communication, work ethic, and respect.

“They had an initiative to put these STEM centers all over Maryland,” Manning said. “So, we applied and were accepted for one of their sites.”

Manning said the Newton Street Community Center already does afterschool and summer programs for area students, but the new lab will allow them to expand the center’s role in the greater Salisbury community.

“We’ve got groups that need a place to meet and so we provide that space for them,” Manning said. “We hold community events here. We’ve partnered with Maryland Food Bank to do a community dinner once every three months.

“So, we’ve done events and activities like that. This is just a way to expand that and offer even more opportunities for kids.”

Manning said roughly 15 students who are a part of the afterschool program have been using the lab for a few weeks. She said the lab will be open this summer Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and it is available to anyone who wants to come learn free of charge.

“They get to use different parts of their brain instead of sitting there and being on the computer,” Manning said. “They get to learn in a different way, which they just thrive on.”

The community center’s third floor was transformed to house the lab, which includes computers, 3D printers, programmable robots and work benches.

“STEM in general is just taking off,” Manning said. “It is the career of the future. So, if we can expose these kids now, it gives them something to look forward to and something to give them to think about as they go through school.”

Salisbury Councilwoman Michele Gregory said it is crucial to get kids involved in STEM-related activities early in their educational journey.

"A lot of kids don’t have access to these materials and things like that,” Gregory said. “I think it’s incredibly important for these kids to get exposed to this.
“This is the future that they are going to be dealing with in the workforce, and it will give them opportunities and skills they can use later on. And not to mention, it’s just plain fun.”

Salisbury Councilwoman Sharon Dashiell said being a retired teacher, she is aware of the need for more STEM programs, which are also critical skills graduates need coming out of college.

“It’s great use of space,” Dashiell said. “It’s a warm and friendly environment and safe for these children. Rachel has done a remarkable job, and it couldn’t have been done without the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.”

Reach Managing Editor Richard Caines at rcaines@iniusa.org.