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Mad Science” and “Project Grow” lauded

  • Published
  • By "Mike W. Ray
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Tinker's Youth Center and the Tinker AFB "Youth of the Year" were honored recently during the State of Oklahoma Youth of the Year awards dinner at the Governor's Mansion.

The Youth Center won two Boys and Girls Clubs of America program excellence awards.

In the Education and Career Development category, the Youth Center won for its "Mad Science" Mondays.

The goal of the "Mad Science" program was "to get youths excited about science," Youth Programs Director Mindy Whittington said. "We strive to get kids engaged in scientific thinking; to give them access to materials they can take apart and the tools to assist them; to give them places where they can dig, measure, poke, pull, taste, pound, and shake; to get them to ask their own questions, collect data, and arrive at new and wonderful ideas."

Ultimately, she said, "We try to show them that everyone, not just scientists, can do science."

"Mad Science" Mondays "provided Tinker youths with discovery-based activities and hands-on experiments to help develop their critical thinking skills, as well as discover scientific concepts." Approximately 75 children 10-18 years of age participated in the program, Ms. Whittington said.

In the Outreach/Member Recruitment Category, the Youth Center's "Project Grow" was lauded.

The intent of that program is "to reach youths who are currently not utilizing our facility, activities and events," Ms. Whittington related. "By growing our program, Tinker youths will be exposed to Boys and Girls Clubs of America and its principles, helping them to develop social, emotional, and leadership skills to deal with the unique stress of military life and life outside the gate." According to Ms. Whittington, the Air Force and BGCA have been affiliated for several years.

By participating in the base's BGCA programs, youngsters "will have increased knowledge in skills relating to leadership, speaking abilities, empathic behavior toward others, and civic engagement and service," Ms. Whittington said.

Also during the awards dinner, Ebony Sayles, Tinker's Youth of the Year, received a $400 scholarship for academic success, healthy lifestyle, plus good character and leadership. She was one of only eight statewide finalists, Ms. Whittington reported.

Ebony, 16, a sophomore at Midwest City High School, is the daughter of Ed and Sumruam Sayles. Mrs. Sayles is an administrator in the Tinker Mental Health Clinic, and her husband is the owner/operator of a Midwest City barber shop.

Ebony has been an active member of the Tinker Youth Center for several years, and was chosen to represent all AFMC teens for the 2011 Air Force Teen Council. The council is a network of teenagers who work to resolve issues and voice concerns to the highest levels of Air force leadership on behalf of teens worldwide.

Tinker Youth Center activities typically draw almost 100 school-age youngsters daily, but the number has soared to approximately 200 at times, Ms. Whittington said.