Language and literacy skills development is the focus of UCI’s Jumpstart Chapter which services nearly 300 low-income pre-school students in the Santa Ana area. Sunday, April 28 is the program’s annual Spring Literacy Fair where those interested in the program can come for a day of fun with story telling, arts and crafts. Themed around science, technology, engineering, arts, math and music, the day-long event will feature a visit from PBS characters Ready Jet Go and Clifford the Big Red Dog and balloon story telling with Annie Bannanie.

Additional activities include:

SCIENCE

• Make your own Robot Wigglebot
• Race propeller cars
• Play with cardboard TVs

TECHNOLOGY

• Balloon Experiments
• Make a popsicle catapult
• Create a storm in a jar

ENGINEERING

• Build an extended grabbing claw
• Compete to build the tallest tower
• Race propeller boats

ART

• Design your own mosaic art
• Create a still-life painting or sculpture
• Make an interesting watercolor painting with salt

MATH

• Come play Life Size Jenga and practice geometry!

MUSIC

• Make paper plate drums to take home
• Come play on our Music Wall and learn about percussion instruments

About Jumpstart:

Jumpstart is a national early education organization that recruits and trains college students and community Corps members to serve preschool children in low-income neighborhoods. The organization’s proven curriculum helps children develop the language and literacy skills they need to be ready for kindergarten, setting them on a path to close the achievement gap. Get involved today by visiting www.jstart.org/