Regional gathering brings together out-of-school educators for learning and community-building
Panamá City, Panamá – From October 14 through October 16 Clubhouse staff from across Latin America gathered to share experience, knowledge, and resources. This was an opportunity for Clubhouse staff to acquire additional technical skills as a means to continuously adapt and deepen The Clubhouse learning model. 18 people from 10 Clubhouses including Coordinators, Assistant Coordinators and other Community-Based Organization representatives were welcomed by Panama’s National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (SENACYT), hosts for the convening.
Clubhouse sites participating included:
- The Clubhouse @ Jardim Conceição, Osasco, Brazil
- The Clubhouse Colsubsidio, Bogotá, Colombia
- The Clubhouse @ Uramba Maker Lab, Buenaventura, Colombia
- The Clubhouse @ Tecnocentro Somos Pacifico, Cali, Colombia
- The Clubhouse @ Casa de la Juventud Mora, San José, Costa Rica
- The Clubhouse @ CEDES Don Bosco, San José, Costa Rica
- The Clubhouse @ FARO de Oriente, Mexico City, Mexico
- The Clubhouse @ Parroquia de Fátima, Panamá City, Panamá
- Rincón Clubhouse La Chorrera UNESCO, Panamá City, Panamá
- Rincón Clubhouse at Explora – Centro de Ciencias y Arte, Panamá City, Panamá
On the first day, each Clubhouse presented their site’s current projects and initiatives, many sharing videos and images from their clubhouses. The group toured the EcoStudio Fab Lab, the only FabLab/makerspace in Panamá. Once there, staff broke out into groups to work on one of two projects, either making a necklace using molded metals & mola, a traditional Panamánian fabric or making keychains using a laser cutter.
On Tuesday, the cohort traveled to the Panamá Canal to learn about the history of the Canal and Panamá. This was followed by a visit to The Clubhouse @ Parroquia de Fátima where the group toured and had workshops such as “Music Production” with Aldair Obando, a local producer and Clubhouse alum, and 3D Mapping and using Adobe After Effects.
On Wednesday, the group attended the grand opening of a new Clubhouse at Explora, an interactive science museum in Panamá City. While there, workshops on circuitry and digital marketing were held.
Representing The Clubhouse Network was Stephanie Rosario, Catalyst Program Manager. She said, “This regional conference was actually my first and it did not disappoint! Some of these coordinators were meeting each other for the first time and over the course of three days developed a network. Each person was so encouraging and really drove home the idea that the Clubhouse is about more than just technology, it’s about community.”
The Clubhouse is about more than just technology, it’s about community.
This conference furthered The Clubhouse mission by giving this regional team the opportunity to explore and experience the Clubhouse learning model as well as build camaraderie and community. The Clubhouse mission is to provide a creative and safe out-of-school learning environment where young people from underserved communities work with adult mentors to explore their own ideas, develop new skills, and build confidence in themselves through the use of technology.
The Clubhouse Network is grateful to SENACYT for their support and sponsorship of this event.
These Clubhouses in Latin America are members of The Clubhouse Network, a global community comprised of more than 100 Clubhouses in 19 countries, providing 25,000 youth per year with access to resources, skills, and experiences to help them succeed in their careers, contribute to their communities, and lead outstanding lives.
All photos by Stephanie Rosario, Catalyst Program Manager, The Clubhouse Network