Network Expands, Welcoming Third Clubhouse in Panamá

Categorized: News

The Clubhouse Network Partners with SENACYT, Explora Centro de Arte y Ciencia, and to Open New Clubhouse

Panamá City, Panamá – On October 16, we welcomed Explora Centro de Arte y Ciencia, an interactive center for science and arts, to The Clubhouse Network. As a member of The Clubhouse Network, Rincón Clubhouse at Explora joins our international community of more than 100 Clubhouses located in 19 countries, providing youth with life-changing opportunities for 26 years. This Clubhouse is the third in Panama City joining The Clubhouse @ Parroquia de Fátima and Clubhouse La Chorrera – UNESCO. We are grateful to Panama’s National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (SENACYT) for their partnership and support in launching this new Clubhouse.

Explora is the first Interactive Science and Art Center in Panamá where youth can gain knowledge and foster their explorational spirit using games and fun as their main tool. The center provides a unique opportunity for young people–as well as their families, schools, and communities–to learn, discover, experiment and create.

“It’s an honor to welcome Explora to The Clubhouse Network,” said Gail Breslow, Executive Director. “I’m thrilled that such a strong local community organization is taking the lead in providing a warm, welcoming learning space for young people to express themselves creatively, build skills, and prepare themselves for the future.”

Dr. Víctor Sánchez Urrutia, Secretary of Science, Technology, and Innovation said “We want to provide young people with a creative and safe learning environment outside of school. The goal is to continue expanding the Clubhouse model in other areas of the country so that more young people have the opportunity to develop and expand technological skills that allow them to open doors to personal and professional achievements.”

With this partnership, SENACYT seeks to build a national platform that disseminates STEAM education based on The Clubhouse Network learning model to young Panamanians, sustaining a culture of learning that strengthens innovation and entrepreneurship.

Like other Clubhouses, Rincón Clubhouse at Explora offers youth access to technology for programming, film making, music production, graphic design, and more, with the support of adult staff and mentors who serve as role models.