2007 Tech Challenge
Youth from the East Palo Alto Boys & Girls Club were given the daunting but inspiring task of creating a navigable robot that can overcome similar geological challenges as that of the Mars Rover. The members were challenged to design a robot that must withstand a 12 foot fall, similar to any blow a rover would take when tackling mountainous terrain on the "red planet". To further engage the youth in the planning process, not only did the robot have to remain 100% intact following the steep 12-foot drop, but it had only a mere 3 minutes to climb a ramp formally set at sixty degrees, allowing builders to envision the rover scaling the crater-rich terrain of Mars. East Palo Alto's clubhouse armed with two prepared teams, participated in the challenge against other groups from Silicon Valley. Both the EPA GEAR BOX and F.A.R.T (Fascinating Artistic Robotics Team) teams won top prize for presentation and design! In fact, the NASA information booth used our EPA Gear Box poster board as a professional display for those curious about the timeline of rovers that have successfully managed to orbit Mars. The teams were close to a triple sweep but lost the prize for “overall robot” because one of the team members left his notebook with the robotics designs at home, which needed to be present to win. It's a lesson learned. Even still, the youth were proud that they were recognized for their dedication and rewarded for their 3 months of hard work. Congratulations!

Achievement Matters!

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula honored over 350 youth during the month of June as part of the Achievement Matters! initiative. Achievement Matters! is a recognition and awards program that sets specific criteria for academic and leadership achievement and encourages members to strive for excellence. To receive an Achievement Matters! prize, members must read for enjoyment, have a commitment to completing homework, participate in a wide range of club activities including community service and must make academic strides. Members work towards a trophy and prize in one of three award categories: Mountain Climbers (academic improvement over the school year), The “A” Team (maintain an A/B average) or the Circle of Excellence (straight A's). What's almost more exciting than honoring 350 members for good grades and character is that they are motivated by the program to excel in school and look forward to being recognized in front of their parents and peers. Way to go!

Secretary Of State Rice Visits School Program She Helped Found
The information below is from KGO ABC7 TV NEWS - click here to view the video
May 24 - KGO - Late this afternoon Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice visited a place very special to her, an after school program she played a major role in developing.
Secretary of State Rice today visited the after school program in Menlo Park she helped found 16 years ago. Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State: "When we started this program we had in mind folks like you. We wanted to extend your academic day, get better skills with math and science." She was joined at James Flood School by Australian Minister Alexander Downer. The school hosts the program Center For a New Generation, known as CNG. Eighth grade students in CNG were anxious to meet and question the woman who started their program. Jarde Celestine, Student: "I think that she's a good inspiration, like how she helped with CNG." Fourteen-year-old Jarde already plans to go to Texas State. Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State: "I'm really proud of all of you. I'm really proud of you for taking advantage of the program." The idea was born when Secretary Rice was teaching at Stanford and she saw an elementary school graduation in Menlo Park. Peter Fortenbaugh, Boys & Girls Club: "She noticed all the eighth graders were celebrating with their folks because the expectation was that this was the last graduation they were going to have." So she started the program. Peter Fortenbaugh, a Harvard business graduate, now heads the Boys & Girls Club in Menlo Park. They now run CNG. Where there was once a 50 percent drop out rate with these children, many now go on to colleges. Secretary Rice made a promise to the children in the school she helped found: She'll come back to visit after she's done in Washington D.C.

HP Teams Up with Club Members for a Bike Building Project

Top performing Hewlett packard VPs from around the globe traveled to our Center for a New Generation at Flood Magnet School to offer an exciting bike building project. HP generously donated bikes and bike locks to 15 well-deserved youth and with the help of their new friends from HP, club members performed the arduous task of building a bike. Not only did this project offer hands on skill building but it also offered an opportunity to expose our youth to various cultures and backgrounds. In celebration of everyone's hard work HP provided a delicious barbeque for all to enjoy. The kindness and camaraderie displayed by the HP execs will long be remembered.

Oracle Reading Night
On June 14th Oracle volunteers took a break from their daily office routines to spend an evening reading to Menlo Park youth at the second Oracle Reading Night of the year. The evening began with the favorite "Music in Manhattan." Volunteers and club members took turns reading aloud and helped one another make their very own musical instruments. Volunteers and members had a great time. Together, the Clubs and Oracle are helping young people in our community develop the literacy skills that are the foundation for all future learning and success.