LISTEN TO OUR 1st EPISODE:
Who is KoKo NYC?:
KoKo NYC is an arts-based science and engineering program for kids. Through the use of recyclables and repurposed materials, KoKo kids become creative engineers exploring every-day objects in a new and inventive way. By having kids tinker and build with unconventional materials, KoKo is also teaching them about sustainability, putting a focus on the environment and how we can positively impact our planet.
KoKo Podcasting Project Summary:
In the time of the coronavirus, educators and students are forced to interact virtually in order to maintain some semblance of community and togetherness. KoKo is an organization that prides itself on being uniquely interactive in its approach to teaching kids how to innovate and explore their own original ideas.
How can we engage students in hands-on learning via the internet?
KoKo is designing a multifaceted podcasting project designed to activate the imagination and inspire invention through storytelling, hands-on building and web-based interaction. The project has three basic components:
Storytelling - KoKo teaching artists will tell stories to engage the imagination and set the scene for creative thinking.
Building - Listeners will participate in a designated building time where they can explore their ideas based on the story they've just heard.
Sharing - Kids will be invited to log onto the KoKo NYC website where they can post pictures of their creations, write stories in response to the podcast and interact with each other around what they have created.
Through the process of engaging kids in play and creating a safe platform for them to share their ideas, KoKo will once again create a place where ideas can run free and natural collaboration can take place. This process will foster important academic skills like critical thinking, communication and problem-solving. And more importantly, it will provide a space for kids to escape the seriousness and anxiety-inducing state of our world as we navigate this challenging time.