Experience IT Co-Op

The Experience IT Co-Op is a partnership between the Disability Action Center and the Homestead Farm Center that provides year-round career readiness and enrichment programs.

The key programs of the Experience IT Co-op include Full STEAM Ahead (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) the RURAL Program (Rural to Urban Agricultural Learning).

Full STEAM Ahead dramatically opens the world of STEAM education for individuals with disabilities.  The objective of the Full STEAM Ahead program is to bring the world of STEAM to individuals with special needs who have not had the opportunity to participate in programs such as robotics, rocketry, environmental education, project art, theatre, engineering, math and chemistry. 

The Full STEAM Ahead program provides 4-week block programming which allows instructors to cover the subject in depth; more like you would in a short-term college or post-secondary program. The three main components of Full STEAM Ahead are Make it Monday, STEM Tuesday, and Try This Thursday: all programs held weekly from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., year-round for youth and adults with disabilities. Make it Monday program combines art and science to complete unique take home projects that the students create from start to finish. STEM Tuesdays and Try This Thursdays offer robotics and coding programs but also branch out to earth science, electricity, paleontology, emotional wellness, creative writing, public speaking, and so much more.

Make it Monday: Hands-on, project-based classes where the students are involved from concept to design to completion. In Make it Monday courses, students will create projects that will encourage self-expression and self-direction in primarily fine and graphic arts. Instructors will guide the students to design, build, and personalize a variety of artwork including acrylic painting, working with textiles, print making, clay designs and more.

STEM Tuesday:  Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math courses including Science Detectives, Engineering Challenges, Weather, Astronomy, Earth Science, and much more. Students will participate in hands on workshops with an emphasis on problem solving and tasks that will increase client’s ability to seek future employment which may require STEM skills.  Activities will be inquiry based with client involvement in open ended projects.  The instructor’s role will be that of facilitator and mentor, stressing encouragement of students to find their own solutions and empowering them to discover their own unique strengths.

Try This Thursday: Challenge courses that engage students in learning new subjects and trying new activities that focus on art, science, music, mindfulness, and much more. Students will develop an understanding for the value of STEAM in everyday life and demonstrate awareness that STEAM related jobs and careers are within the reach of people of all genders, ability, and socio-economic backgrounds. Emphasizing mind, body, and spirit and how STEAM activities can enrich the client’s overall quality of life.

The RURAL (Rural to Urban Agricultural Learning) Program emphasizes personal development and job training through a summer trainee program focusing on gardening, landscaping, animal care, earth science, and greenhouse operation.  The program introduces participants to farming, gardening, environmental stewardship, wellness and nutrition through improved inclusion of fresh farm produce in the diet, and appreciation of the outdoors.

RURAL Programs take place at the Homestead Farm Center and include:
RURAL Summer Trainee Program
Sow and Grow SUSTAIN
Sow and Grow HOPE

Additional activities at the Homestead Farm Center include:
Farm Tours and Workshops
Day at the Farm Programs

For a full description of Homestead Farm Center Programs please visit: http://homesteadfarmcenter.org/programs-at-hfc.