On Saturday, Feb. 6, the Theodore Roosevelt Council (TRC) of the Boy Scouts of America opened their Boy Scouts of America Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Center and Lab in Massapequa. Politicians and hundreds of scouts were in attendance for the much anticipated grand opening, which was three years in the making.
STEM is part of an initiative the Boy Scouts of America have taken on to encourage the natural curiosity of youth members and their sense of wonder about these fields through existing programs such as archery or welding. The STEM Center and Lab programs are available to teachers and all boys and girls, regardless of whether they are registered in Scouts. Although located in Massapequa, Scouts from all over Nassau County will be taking advantage of this center.
“It is my goal as president of the Theodore Roosevelt Council to provide new programs that will be exciting to our young people,” said Steven Gr
osskopf of the center that will help cultivate the next generation of critical thinkers and innovators. “Programs that expose them to new experiences, programs that open their minds and help them explore new things in a safe mentorship environment.”
Elected officials Receiver of Taxes James J. Stefanich and Oyster Bay Town Councilman Joseph G. Pinto were honored to support the Scouts.
“It was our great pleasure to attend and support the grand opening of the STEM Center. Not only will the STEM Center encourage the natural curiosity and sense of wonder of the children who visit, it will also help cultivate the next generation of critical thinkers and innovators,” they said.
The STEM Center is one of the nation’s first permanent, full-time STEM Learning Centers and labs. Some of the programs include robotics, architecture, 3D printing, forensics, animation, geology, engineering, chemistry, archery, scuba, medicine and aviation.
“Not every kid is an outdoorsman, and scouting recognizes that,” said Grosskopf. “We must be progressive with our programs while keeping to our core value. The Boy Scouts of America is the finest program for young people today.”
For information on the programs offered, visit www.trcbsa.org. The center will be providing after-school, weekend, holiday and vacation programs for boys and girls (K-12 and older) to enhance their science, technology, engineering and math education.
