Through a new partnership with Fresno State’s Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, The Arc of Fresno and Madera Counties will provide packing, sorting and bundling services for the Kids Invent! program.
The mission of The Arc is to empower individuals with developmental disabilities to attain greater independence by offering everyday life experiences in a supportive community.
“The Arc of Fresno and Madera Counties is extremely excited to partner with Lyles Center to bring the innovative Kids Invent! program to Fresno and Madera unified school districts,” said Mary L. Williams, director of commercial services at The Arc. “This partnership provides countless opportunities for our men and women, and we are honored to serve the Lyles Center. We look forward to a successful and rewarding future together.”
In 2014, Fresno Unified School District partnered with the Lyles Center to integrate the program’s tailored learning modules into every
men working on structure
fifth-grade classroom in Fresno Unified. Earlier this year, the Lyles Center joined forces with the Madera Unified School District to bring Kids Invent! to its fifth-grade students as well.
The Arc will streamline production of Kids Invent! activity kits, which provide all supplies necessary for students to design and build prototypes each week. Within the Kids Invent! framework, students work in teams to explore solutions to practical problems through teamwork, observation and experimentation.
The curriculum has students start by building straw towers and work up to designing an amphibious vehicle. Through these tasks students learn to use supplies, manage their time efficiently and develop social skills through collaboration.
“This partnership makes a lot of sense,” said Dakota Smith, Kids Invent! logistics manager. “It not only allows the Lyles Center and Kids Invent! to increase our efficiency, but also to align with a great local organization.”
For more information, contact Dr. Timothy Stearns at 559.278.3735 or timothys@csufresno.edu.
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