Enrichment at Home
Boston Beyond is gathering resources for enrichment and learning at home from its network of more than 300 programs. The resources are intended for other programs to use and for students and their families to access directly. Check the list below for activities and resources for your student. Keep checking in! As opportunities arise from our network of partners, they will be posted below.
Resources from Our Network
3Point Foundation: When schools closed, 3PointFoundation went virtual with BAND and zoom, holding our sessions at our regular times for one hour twice/week. Our focus is on staying connected, showing we care, and continuing to promote critical thinking, communication, social emotional learning and values related to dance and basketball. The sessions highlight current issues, defining and responding to violence, developing a sense of agency, applying values to daily life in tough times, and connectedness. The students just completed letters to public officials. Our teachers facilitate the sessions with the coaches from dance and basketball. Sessions begin with meditation/physical movement. We have weekly dance and basketball contests that include online questions, and physical challenges for which students post tic tok and basketball videos on BAND.
African Community Economic Development of New England: In partnership with the Boston Resiliency Fund and Ascia Food, ACEDONE will be distributing boxed Iftars to the community each night of Ramadan. Visit their Facebook page for pick up locations and more information.
All Dorchester Sports & Leadership: Every Monday night Papa Gino’s (748 Gallivan Blvd.) will dedicate 20% of sales to benefit All Dorchester Sports League (ADSL)! Visit ADSL’s Twitter for more information.
Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center: An Emergency Family Fund created by Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) is now live. Gift cards will be given to families to support emergency needs. Stay up to date on news from BCNC by visiting their Supporting Families While They’re Staying Home page. BCNC has brought their Pao Arts Center to their website! Visit their page and explore some of the creative work their organization has supported over the years.
Boston Scores: Virtual learning is now live on Boston Scores Facebook. Every Monday, they will be releasing themed content lessons in the following three categories: Soccer, Poetry and Service Learning. Visit their website for more information. Check out the submissions from their coaches on their Youtube channel. This competition is led by Boston Scores coaches and is open to all.
Boston Student Advisory Council & Youth On Board: The Boston Student Advisory Council and Youth On Board have compiled a list of resources for students and families. Visit their shared Google document for more information. The Boston Student Advisory Council also curated a list of Earth Day resources linked here! These resources are open to all.
Boston University Upward Bound programs: Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math Science are holding “Upward Bound from Home”, where Study Hall and classes are done remotely. Upward Bound students will have access to online classes include MCAS Science, MCAS Math, SAT Reading, SAT Math and Senior Workshop II. Study Hall includes “drop-in” tutoring done by the Upward Bound tutors using Zoom and Goboard. Ninth and tenth grade Boston Public School students can still apply to join the Upward Bound programs by clicking here.
Boston Youth Sanctuary (BYS): Boston Youth Sanctuary has continued to provide support to the student and families in their network. These services include teletherapy, online activity groups, family check ins, and care packages. They are working to create space in innovative ways for families to continue their work with BYS. Resources are available to members only.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston: Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston share how you can stay involved with the #ClubAtHome! Their Youtube channel provides students and families with at home activities that inspire creativity and physical activity. Visit their blog to learn more! These resources are open to all, and includes pre-recorded videos and activities.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester: Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester are bringing BGCD to your home! Check out their virtual programming schedule for this week here. Here is an update on what Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester is doing to support their community in an article from the Dorchester Reporter. Programming is available to members only, and includes live and pre-recorded events to engage with.They are now offering virtual Zoom programming for club members. Check their calendar schedule here.
Breakthrough Greater Boston: Breakthrough Greater Boston is offering remote services and resources for students and their families. Resources include community Zoom calls, college application and financial aid support, and weekly resource emails. More information can be found on their Updates and Resources page. Programming is for members only.
CitySprouts: CitySprouts has developed at home learning resources for elementary and middle school students. Visit their CitySprouts at Home page for videos, design challenges, and updates on their school gardens! CitySprouts is still holding their Summer Youth Internship Program which focuses on inclusive science education set in the great outdoors. For more information and to apply, visit their site. Resources are open to all.
Community Rowing: Check out Community Rowing’s live workouts on their This Week Online page! A full schedule of workouts is posted along with videos to past workouts. Resources are open to all.
Courageous Sailing: Check out the new Courageous at Home page, where you’ll find STEM Studio videos and links to some of Courageous Sailing’s favorite STEM resources. The STEM Studio provides fun, hands-on, minds-on STEM activities for kids in grades 3-8, using only easy-to-find household materials. Explore engineering, physics, math, chemistry, marine biology, and more – all connected to boats, sailing, and/or Boston Harbor. They also post links to STEM resources on their Facebook page.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts: Currently offering the same quality programming to girls, volunteers, and families virtually for at-home enrichment experiences with our new “Girl Scouts at Home” catalog! Every day, they will add virtual badge activities, programs, and resources for girls and families to engage with from home. Meetings are open to members only, but resources listed are open to all.
Hale Reservation: Even when you can’t explore Hale’s ponds and trails, adventure can still be found with Hale at Home. Discover nature in your backyard! Resources are open to all.
Harlem Lacrosse: Harlem Lacrosse has launched a list of program updates that align with daily themes such as “Workout Wednesday” and “Team Thursday”. Check out their COVID-19 response page for more information. Members are also staying connected by gathering virtually for meetings, tutoring sessions, and guest speakers. Programming is open to members only.
Harvard Medical School: Harvard Medical School has developed COVID-19 fact sheets in 35 different languages. Fact sheet topics include Prevention, COVID-19 and Pregnancy, and information for multiple young age groups.
Hernandez After School: Hernandez After School is offering a distance learning resource page to educate students in the safety of their homes! They offer K-8 online classrooms, IT assistance, a virtual nurses office, and much more. Visit their page here! Resources are open to Hernandez After School students.
HERO Kids Sports: HERO Kids Sports is providing at home learning opportunities to their students through Zoom! They are offering a variety of interactive virtual sports and fitness programming with peers and coaches for building important skills such as teamwork. Resources are open to HERO Kids Sports students only.
HMS MEDscience: Check out their Instagram for their “Healthcare Career Interview” series. Hear medical professionals describe why they chose their career path and what a day in the life of their profession looks like. HMS Medscience has opened registration for their summer program Telemed Summer 2020. Visit their program page for more information about the weekly sessions.
Imajine That: Complete your professional development hours online with Imajine That! Trainings include topics such as Self Care, Cultural Influences, and and Benefits of Outdoor Play. For a full list of available trainings, click here.
Latino STEM Alliance: Check in with their website for updated online programming! TinkerCAD Academy #9 shows students how to create complex shapes using the Shape Generator and Scribble tools.
MassAudubon: Take a virtual trip outdoors on MassAudubon’s website! Their Explore Nature at Home page allows kids to explore nature scenes from all over Massachusetts and get involved in science activities. You can also check out their April Vacation Activities page to get families connected with the outdoors and learn about our planet!
Piers Park Sailing: Piers Park has moved their classroom programming online with their new Ocean Science After School page! Check out the ocean science activities on their website and Youtube channel, including their experiment of the day. Resources are open to all.
Playworks: Play at Home with Playworks every weekday at 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm (EST)! Join their livestream and follow one of their trainers through 15 minutes of at home exercise. Suitable for children and families of all ages! Visit their page to join the fun! View Playworks’ weekly activity challenge for 5/11 in Spanish and English. They also have PlayBooks in multiple languages for at home activities. Fourth and fifth graders can engage in virtual leadership development through Playworks’ latest SEL resource in Spanish and English. These resources are open to all.
Rehearsal for Life: Our Urban Improv program has gone virtual! New, short Urban Improv Care Packages incorporate memorable songs, entertaining scenes, and thought-provoking prompt questions to engage remote learners and to remind us all to practice our Social-Emotional Learning skills during this time at home.
Scholar Athletes: Join Scholar Athletes for their remote coaching on their website! Members can sign up for individual academic support, group study halls, social hangouts, and virtual college tours. These resources are open to members only. Stay up to date on how you can flatten the curve with Scholar Athletes’ resource center. Check their blog updates for tips to stay happy and healthy at home. Need a home workout to pass the time in your house? Scholar Athletes has released at-home physical activities for kids to stay in shape with no additional equipment required! These resources are open to all.
Science from Scientists: Away from the Classroom by Science from Scientists showcases modified at-home versions of their in-school lessons and Between 2 Beakers brings their Scientists to students in three video series: Experiment Mondays, STEM Chats, and Ask a Scientist. Click here to visit their page and learn more. Resources are open to all.
Sociedad Latina: Sociedad Latina continues to support youth academically, socially, and emotionally. They hold daily check-ins with high school and college students to provide high quality academic supports over Zoom. Other high school program activities include virtual Youth Artist Mastery classes, Open Mics, Career Panel discussions, workshops on social justice and advocacy campaigns, sexual health, workforce development, creative arts, nutrition, well being, and DIY hydroponic gardening to name just a few. The middle school virtual STEAM Team program focuses on a variety of daily STEM & Arts activities. If you are a student in grades 6-12 or your first two years of college or employment, a parent or guardian and are interested in learning more about our out-of-school time programming, contact Andrea Gilbert at acosta@sociedadlatina.org. Head over to our website, facebook, twitter, or instagram for up to date information.
St. Stephen’s: Youth programs’ partner, Church of the Redeemer, sourced and donated over 50 bags of food, supplies, and gift cards for St. Stephen’s weekly B-LOVE Distribution Days! Check out Church of the Redeemer’s Reverend Mike Dangelo for a tour of their donation center.
STEM Ecosystems: Join STEM Ecosystems FREE virtual lab for parents and guardians, featuring two fun, hands-on, STEM-tivities to do at home for grades K-8. No expertise needed! View for information here. Resources are open to all.
The LEAH Project: Keep up with The LEAH Project on their Facebook page! Their student programming is now online and they will be posting updates about their programming as well as other resources offered for students and families throughout Boston. Resources are open to members only.
The Possible Project: A group of students from the Madison Park/Boston Medical Center/Possible Project Internship and Career Accelerator program expressed their appreciation to the Boston Medical Center team in a video tribute. The Possible Project (TPP) has shifted its programming online. Resources are open to TPP students.
The Steppingstone Foundation: Alumna Danielle Le Hals was featured in the Boston Globe! She discusses overseeing MGH’s new initiative for decontaminating N95 masks. As she tells us, “the perspective that we’re all in this together really drives me.” For more, read the Globe’s article here.
Thompson Island: Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center: Even though Thompson Island is not open for programming, they are supporting their students from afar. View their positive self-talk exercise from their Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Chaya! Thompson Island’s CEO Arthur Pearson filmed a video update on how they are now serving the Boston community. Their staff has been helping to distribute nutritious meals and Chromebooks for students to connect to friends, teachers, and eventually, Thompson Island staff. Follow their Facebook page for activities inspired by their “Four Pillars”. Check in with Thompson Island’s Facebook page for some free yoga! Now is the time to take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally, and yoga is a great way to exercise both our bodies and minds.
uAspire: uAspire has compiled resources for students, families, and practitioners on their COVID-19 Support Resources page. They have also created a Resource for All document that contains the same resources along with a message from uAspire about their COVID-19 response. Resources are open to all.
Vietnamese American Initiative for Development (VietAID): VietAID runs a meal site Monday-Friday from 8am-12pm at their community center. VietAID has been granted a Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) 2020 and is currently seeking donations to keep their food supplies available for the children and families they serve. Join VietAID for their Vietnamese food tour! Staff are posting a map of local restaurants and their favorite dishes from each. Check out their Facebook page for more details. VietAID is still planning their child and youth services for the summer 2020 (July-August) session! See their Facebook post for more information and to register.
West End House: West End House has launched Grab & Go meals and live, interactive online programming for club members. Visit their home page to learn more! Resources are open to members only.
WriteBoston: WriteBoston aims to elevate the core writing skills of students in the Boston area, and they have now moved many of their educational resources online! They provide feedback on lesson plans, technology tips, and any other support schools and teachers may need in these unprecedented times. For more information, you can visit their page here. To explore their volumes of coaching connections, click here.
YMCA of Greater Boston: The YMCA of Greater Boston branches and centers are open for emergency child care on a drop in basis. They will be serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school age children. This care will support essential workers and vulnerable children only. Visit their Emergency Care page for all details. The YMCA’s Virtual Family Resources page provides activities to help your family stay active at home. Resources are open to all.
Zoo New England: Visit the Stone Zoo Facebook page or the Franklin Park Zoo Facebook page to watch their Facebook Livestream @ 1:30pm every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to learn about different kinds of animals! Check out Zoo New England’s Kids Corner for more fun activities, crafts, and scavenger hunts! Resources are open to all.
To share a resource or activity, please email Alex at awarren@bostonbeyond.org.
Resources from Boston Public School District
Coronavirus Updates: Visit the BPS Coronavirus Updates web page for the latest updates on district wide information and resources.
Resources for Students & Families: BPS has listed online learning resources by grade level for students and families. Access learning materials for your student by visiting Resources for Students & Families.
Resources from Cultural Institutions
Boston Children’s Museum:
- Museum Virtual Tour: The Children’s Museum has virtual tours of each floor of their museum. Click on the arrows and lead yourself around the museum.
- Play and Learning Resources: This page includes resources for students, parents, and educators. You can sign up for daily activity emails and reference all resources using the links provided.
- #ActivitiesForKids: On both their Twitter and Facebook, the Children’s Museum is posting videos for activities for kids at home. They are also posting these activity videos to their Youtube channel.
- Blog: The Children’s Museum has posted several blogs geared towards parents and keeping the peace at home during this shutdown.
Institute for Contemporary Art:
- Art Lab: The ICA is posting new activities each week to their Art Lab. Each activity includes a list of necessary materials and a PDF of instructions. They are also posting these updates on Facebook to link back to their website.
- Exhibit Mini Tour: The ICA highlighted the birthday of artist Barry McGee by posting a mini tour of his exhibit from 2013.
- #MuseumFromHome: Check out the ICA’s #MuseumFromHome and #ICAFromHome posts on their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum:
- #MuseumFromHome: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is posting #MuseumFromHome updates to their Facebook and Twitter.
- Inside the Collection: Dive into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s collections with their new Inside the Collection blog. Visit the blog for in-depth looks at some of the untold stories about the Museum’s collection and history.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston:
- In partnership with Streamable Learning, the MFA is offering free 30-minute interactive livestream programs exploring works of art in the museum’s collection. Check our Upcoming Events Calendar for more information!
Museum of Science, Boston:
- #MOSatHome: The Museum of Science is using #MOSatHome for their web page of activities and all over their social media. The page linked is the main page the Museum uses to showcase what they are doing during the shutdown. They are frequently updating their Facebook and Twitter pages with event scheduling and videos of their webinars and livestreams.
- Pulsar: The Museum of Science has a podcast called Pulsar that is recommended for children ages 12+. It is also on the MOSatHome page, just have to scroll. Here’s one of their episodes called All About Pulsars.
- Family Activities: Scroll further down the MOSatHome page and you’ll get to Family STEM Activities. There are options for games, an activity book, and reading material.
- Town Hall: The Museum of Science is scheduling town hall meetings and community conversations about various topics. For example, there is a virtual training opportunity from Citizen Science for families, teachers, and professionals in STEM.
New England Aquarium:
- Virtual Visits: The New England Aquarium has been posting Virtual Visits to their Facebook page daily. Their Youtube channel contains all of the virtual visits as well.
- At-Home Projects and Activities: At the bottom of the same page, the Aquarium has listed at-home learning activities. Each one links to a PDF of instructions for completing the activity. They also have an “Activity Archive” underneath the activities listed.
- Fun Activities for Kids: They have a list of at-home activities for kids, using everyday household materials, as well as Early Reader Books listed at the bottom of the page.
- Classroom Resources and Activities: The Aquarium provides teaching materials, activity guides, and theme-based kits for ocean education at the bottom of their Virtual Visits page. Teachers can download guides, classroom activities and kits.
