Wesleyan University
Open main menu
Menu
Close menu Close left shield right shield
  • About
  • Admission & Aid
  • Academics
  • Life @ Wesleyan
  • Visit
  • News & Events
  • Athletics
  • Giving
  • Alumni
  • Parents
  • Directory
  • Tools
    • WesPortal
    • Library
    • OneStop
    • Calendar
    • WesMaps
  • Search

News @ Wesleyan

Main menu

Skip to content
  • News Home
  • Arts & Culture
  • Science & Technology
  • Society
  • Athletics
  • Campus News & Events
  • In the Media
  • All News
  • Alumni

Sub menu

Students Launch Fun, Interactive Virtual Program for School-Aged Kids

by Olivia Drake • December 22, 2020

tin can

Wesleyan students Michayla Robertson-Pine ’22 (top left) and Elizabeth “Liz” Woolford ’21 (top right) are among five college students from four institutions who are spearheading Tin Can Learners, an after-school and winter-break program for school-aged children. Also pictured are Tin Can participants Nico and Dominic.

When hometown friends Michayla Robertson-Pine and Tessa Levenstein found themselves frustrated with online learning at the college level, they suspected school-aged children were also suffering in the world of online education, and that young people were actively looking for fun creative ways to engage with each other socially.

That’s when Wesleyan junior Robertson-Pine ’22 and Amherst College junior Tessa Levenstein ’22 decided to create a remote, project-based, community-oriented program with the intent of spreading joyful learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Named Tin Can Learners, the program aims to take the load off of parents and offer engaging and energizing after-school and winter-break sessions.

“We felt that if we, as college students, were feeling isolated and lonely, then young kids were probably feeling even worse,” Robertson-Pine said.

The duo reached out to three other like-minded college students, including Wesleyan senior Elizabeth “Liz” Woolford ’21, who collaboratively developed the format of Tin Can. The program was launched in September 2020.

Over the fall, children were able to participate in virtual programs involving animation coding, cooking, nature, music, writing, art portfolio, “Mad Scientist!”, foundations of pre-algebra, fractions and decimals, and Tin Can film festivals on space odyssey or mockumentary themes. Tutoring in regular K-12 classes also was available.

And through the three-week Tin Can Winter Wonderland program, which began Jan. 4, kids are participating in Zoom hide-and-seek, cooking competitions, stationary-making, competitive tic-tac-toe and other online games, a brain-bending live game show, and even a bring-your-pet-to-class day. Also, through Tin Can’s Winter Session Art Portfolio, self-driven artists, writers, and creators are meeting online to pursue the projects they are passionate about, or continue to develop work from past Tin Can sessions.

“Each session we are learning from parents and kids how the landscape of online learning is changing, and are adapting our programming to fit the community’s needs,” said Woolford, who is studying government, theater, and environmental studies at Wesleyan. “We could not be happier with how things have turned out! We have quite a dedicated crew of students who are extremely invested in our silly rituals, bizarre Tin Can lore (Tin Can is powered by magical friendship beans!), fun classes, and spending time with new and old friends.”

Prior to Tin Can, Robertson-Pine, who is majoring in theater and education studies, had worked with children in a variety of roles, including as camp counselor, teaching assistant, swimming instructor, and babysitter. When developing the Tin Can curriculum, she aimed to build a robust and exciting framework for learning that centers around self-expression, community engagement, and passion for learning.

“After running Tin Can for three sessions in the fall, I’m really pleased with how it turned out,” Robertson-Pine said. “We’ve been able to build a community of support and engagement because we’ve had a core group of kids that have signed up for all three sessions. I’ve watched them grow and take ownership over the program and it really feels like it is their space, which is really exciting!”

tin can learnersEach member of the Tin Can Learners team had taken the fall semester off from college for safety or other reasons.

“But none of us were willing to take the leap of leaving unless we had an alternative project that could keep us busy—and employed,” Woolford said. “We spent a fair amount of time doing market research and shopping our programming plan to after-school educators, kids, and parents, and pretty quickly realized that this was quite a viable venture.”

After spending the summer learning how to do all the legal work of setting up a business—complete with bank accounts, websites, etc.—the entrepreneurs decided that regardless of how technically successful they were, “Tin Can would be an extremely valuable learning experience,” Woolford said. “And in the process, we’re a group of five 20-year olds who have learned how to run a small business in the midst of the pandemic!”

Read more about the program in this Daily Hampshire Gazette article.

Tags:civic engagement Class of 2021 Class of 2022 COVID-19

Post navigation

← Students’ Essays on Infectious Disease Prevention, COVID-19 Published Nationwide
Wesleyan University Press Authors Longlisted for PEN Awards →

Search

Categories

  • Events
  • Grants
  • Snapshots
  • Publications
  • Staff
  • Students
  • Faculty
  • Alumni

Related Links

  • Contact Us
  • Latest Sports News
  • Wesleyan Magazine
  • Videos @ Wesleyan

Follow Wesleyan on Twitter

The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 14 hours ago

"The War and Peace of Tim O’Brien," a film that has been five years in the making by filmmakers Aaron Matthews ’93 and Jennifer Mittelstadt ’92, dives deep into the creative process and later life of renowned author and Vietnam veteran Tim O’Brien. fal.cn/3dJtZ

The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 2 days ago

During the 2020-2021 winter session, Wesleyan students enrolled in Dr. Kim Diver's E&ES271: Mapping the Pandemic course found themselves developing spatial thinking and visualization skills relevant to COVID-19. fal.cn/3dI0z

The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 5 days ago

Erica L. Ball ’93 is a historian and the Mary Jane Hewitt Department Chair in Black Studies at Occidental College. Her second book tells the life story of one of the most influential women in American history. fal.cn/3dDHz

The profile image of wes_alumni
Wesleyan University Alumni 1 week ago

Streaming this week, the documentary series, “Trans in Trumpland” directed by Tony Zosherafatain ’10, explores the impact of the anti-trans policies on the lives of 4 transgender Americans during the Trump administration era. #AlumniSpotlight @wesleyan_u fal.cn/3dyGU Retweeted by Wesleyan University

The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 7 days ago

In the battle for left brain/right brain dominance, Alison Williams ’81 may well be a case study in cheerfully riding that middle line. magazine.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2021/02/06/int…

The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 1 week ago

As we continue to admit the Class of 2025, check out what Ariana Baez ’22 has to say about her experience at Wesleyan.

The profile image of mroth78
Michael S Roth 1 week ago

"While we pay our respects with remembrance, may we remain vigilant about preventing more losses in the future. May we find common purpose and even some joy in keeping our community safe." @wesleyan_u roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2021/02/22/a-s… Retweeted by Wesleyan University

The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 1 week ago

Please join us in congratulating Emily Greenhouse '08 on her accomplishment! twitter.com/emserre/status…

The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 1 week ago

Our campus is coming back to life as in-person classes resume. Have a wonderful day and stay safe, Cardinals!

test Twitter Media - Our campus is coming back to life as in-person classes resume. Have a wonderful day and stay safe, Cardinals! https://t.co/Q5ophVEELY
The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 2 weeks ago

On February 12, Wesleyan welcomed civil rights activist, organizer, author, and educator Ruby Sales to deliver the annual 2021 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration. fal.cn/3dvrs

The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 2 weeks ago

Four members of the Class of 2021 are recipients of NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium awards. Each received a $5,000 Undergraduate Research Fellowship for their ongoing research. They’re among only seven students statewide to receive the honor. newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2021/02/12/4-s…

The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 2 weeks ago

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges like no other. We would like to take a moment to thank everyone in our community for their continued vigilance in keeping our campus safe. You're doing great, Cardinals. Keep up the good work!

test Twitter Media - The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges like no other. We would like to take a moment to thank everyone in our community for their continued vigilance in keeping our campus safe. You're doing great, Cardinals. Keep up the good work! https://t.co/OpNIzVq1zi
The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 2 weeks ago

Committed to pursuing her passions and evolving as a leader, Donna Jacobs ’78 has excelled in such disparate fields as law, health care, and dance—sometimes simultaneously. magazine.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2021/02/06/an-…

The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 2 weeks ago

Wesleyan’s Pandemic Planning Committee has played a critical role in helping the University welcome its community safely back to campus. The group has worked toward a single communal goal: to return to in-person learning and maintain a safe environment. magazine.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2021/02/06/unk…

The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 2 weeks ago

It's been a week since our students returned to campus. Thank you to everyone in our community who helped make the process run smoothly. See more photos: fal.cn/3dq28

test Twitter Media - It's been a week since our students returned to campus. Thank you to everyone in our community who helped make the process run smoothly.

See more photos: https://t.co/DJteXRViDq https://t.co/mGfpy1tLeY
test Twitter Media - It's been a week since our students returned to campus. Thank you to everyone in our community who helped make the process run smoothly.

See more photos: https://t.co/DJteXRViDq https://t.co/mGfpy1tLeY
test Twitter Media - It's been a week since our students returned to campus. Thank you to everyone in our community who helped make the process run smoothly.

See more photos: https://t.co/DJteXRViDq https://t.co/mGfpy1tLeY
The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 3 weeks ago

Examining adaptive leadership Check out the latest edition of the Wesleyan University magazine: magazine.blogs.wesleyan.edu

The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 3 weeks ago

During the spring semester arrival period, volunteers from Wesleyan’s C-CERT group assisted with welcoming students to campus, checking them in, and ensuring they had a COVID-19 test. The team consists of staff, faculty, and student volunteers. fal.cn/3dlnS

test Twitter Media - During the spring semester arrival period, volunteers from Wesleyan’s C-CERT group assisted with welcoming students to campus, checking them in, and ensuring they had a COVID-19 test.

The team consists of staff, faculty, and student volunteers.

https://t.co/1t0GxrGXMa https://t.co/bM7hFW9JDq
test Twitter Media - During the spring semester arrival period, volunteers from Wesleyan’s C-CERT group assisted with welcoming students to campus, checking them in, and ensuring they had a COVID-19 test.

The team consists of staff, faculty, and student volunteers.

https://t.co/1t0GxrGXMa https://t.co/bM7hFW9JDq
test Twitter Media - During the spring semester arrival period, volunteers from Wesleyan’s C-CERT group assisted with welcoming students to campus, checking them in, and ensuring they had a COVID-19 test.

The team consists of staff, faculty, and student volunteers.

https://t.co/1t0GxrGXMa https://t.co/bM7hFW9JDq
The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 3 weeks ago

The Gordon Career Center recently hosted four “fireside chat” style Winter Alumni Career Conversation events between prominent alumni and current students. fal.cn/3djR1

The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 3 weeks ago

The semester is starting off with a beautiful, snow-covered campus. Happy first day of classes, Cardinals! Please remember to follow all safety and quarantine guidelines. wesleyan.edu/keep-wes-safe/…

test Twitter Media - The semester is starting off with a beautiful, snow-covered campus. Happy first day of classes, Cardinals! Please remember to follow all safety and quarantine guidelines. 

https://t.co/zfIPXloHMs https://t.co/OTdUsVqmcB
The profile image of wesleyan_u
Wesleyan University 3 weeks ago

Please join us in celebrating Black History Month, co-sponsored by Ujamaa and various other campus organization. The theme for this year's Black History Month is Black Radical Imaginations. For a calendar of events and how to register, please visit fal.cn/3dgrB

Snapshots

geese

Canada Geese Graze and Greet Wesleyan Students

Following Sales's talk, Christian Denny '22, a member of the student group Ujamaa, spoke about various Black History Month events occurring at Wesleyan throughout the month of February. Using the theme "Black Radial Imaginations," the events not only honor the traditions of the past, but "illuminate the ways black people—artists comedians activists, etc.—find moments of liberation in their daily lives," Denny said.

Campus Community Celebrates the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

CERT

C-CERT Assists with Student Arrival Period

snow

Snow Dusts Campus during Winter Recess

Copyright © 2014 News @ Wesleyan. All Rights Reserved. Magazine Premium created by c.bavota.