Quirky after school programs




With the growing interest in after school programs shown by the Government



as well as parents, new and hitherto unheard of programs are being



explored. In an attempt to make a child aware of his responsibilities as



an individual and as a citizen, these after school programs make use of a



child's natural curiosity and his irrepressible energy.





Investigative Skills:



In some schools in Kernersville, children are developing their



investigative skills. Children meet with adults who introduce them to the



details of fake non-violent crimes. They take notes, visit the scene and



gather information. Students learn to listen to alibis, collect



fingerprints and gather any other pieces of evidence. According to the



principal, these activities challenge her students' problem solving



skills. Children learn to think critically and to form informed judgments.





Fisheries and sciences:



In North Carolina, children who are interested get a chance to win a



scholarship through their after school activity. Here, students are given



a chance to face hands-on fisheries science experiments in a freshwater or



marine setting. Professionals, educators and experts from the world of



Fisheries act as mentors. Students accepted into the program get a $3,000



scholarship.





The above examples go to show that after school activities are becoming



serious. They are slowly morphing into important parts of a child's



education and moving away from the fun-and-frolic-only programs of the


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