Out-of-school time (OST) programs open doors—to new interests, stronger social bonds, and deeper academic understanding. But their true value lies not just in what they offer, but how. With smaller student-to-educator ratios and more flexible learning environments, OST programs create space for personalized, meaningful growth.
That’s why these programs are in high demand—and too often, out of reach for families with limited resources. In Pittsburg, Kansas, however, the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant is rewriting that story. For local K–5 students, these funds haven’t just extended the school day—they’ve made high-quality enrichment accessible to those who need it most.
STEM Unleashed
In a community where the poverty rate exceeds the state average by over 2.5 times, hands-on learning isn’t just engaging—it’s essential. It gives students a bridge to bigger ideas, broader horizons, and real-world relevance they might not otherwise encounter.
“Kids love hands-on learning,” says Natalie Vanderbeck, educator at George Nettles Elementary. “They love creating something tangible, and it’s amazing to see their confidence grow. But during the school day, it’s not always easy to bring those experiences to life.”
Time constraints often limit the creativity needed to make curriculum interactive. Most educators are natural innovators, but transforming ideas into action requires extra planning, materials, and space. That’s where OST programs step in. They give students room to explore—and teachers the flexibility to experiment—making them powerful tools for enhancing learning.
Enter Dragon Academy. This afterschool initiative supports both student growth and teacher creativity. Open to K–5 students from all four district elementary schools, the program offers two additional hours of hands-on learning, three days a week—time many educators simply don’t have during the school day.
But the program is more than just extra instructional time—something research shows is not enough on its own to drive academic improvement. Built around standards-aligned Pitsco resources, the program sparks cross-curricular exploration, multisensory engagement, and rich collaboration. It brings STEM concepts like coding and ecosystems within reach—and enlivens them through tactile experiences that inspire curiosity.
Building Belonging in a Hands-On Way
Pittsburg Community Schools emphasize success for every child—a philosophy that guides Dragon Academy’s approach to meeting the needs of a diverse student body.
“We have a large group of English language learners,” Natalie says. “Writing is something they’re often reluctant to do. It’s the last domain students master when learning English.”
For these students, school can feel like a daunting challenge. Dragon Academy addresses this by focusing not just on exposure, but on how students experience learning.
Research shows one of the biggest barriers to academic success for English learners is a lack of belonging. When students feel secure and valued, they’re more willing to participate and take risks. At Dragon Academy, exploration is celebrated over perfection—and learning becomes a creative act, not just a skill check.
“One of our teachers used Pitsco’s Habitats kit,” Natalie recalls. “After learning about ecosystems, the kids built model homes for animals. Then they wrote stories about their habitats. Normally, writing isn’t something they look forward to—but this time, they couldn’t wait to share their ideas.”
That shift in attitude isn’t just a moment of excitement—it’s a stepping stone toward long-term engagement. By linking writing to hands-on, imaginative experiences, students discover their voices and develop lasting confidence.
What Learning Really Means
Whether building with the Drone Maker Kit or exploring with the Forces in Motion Activity Bundle, Dragon Academy students are learning that success requires communication, patience, and persistence.
“The kids are engaging in what’s called productive struggle,” explains Pittsburg USD Assistant Superintendent Ann Lee.
This neuroscience-backed strategy puts psychologist Lev Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development into action. Students take on challenges just beyond their comfort zone—like building a drone—with tools and guidance to succeed. The result: real cognitive growth.
“After school, the kids don’t give up when they hit a wall,” Natalie says. “They want to keep trying until they figure it out.”
That persistence comes down to something simple: joy. Natalie, who teaches a lot of math, shows the students just how engaging the subject can be through use of KUBO, the coding robot. Unlike in some classrooms, Natalie takes lessons on area and perimeter off the page, letting students code, design puzzles, and see math in motion. It’s an approach that helps students embrace new concepts.
“Our Pitsco resources take the pressure off learning,” says Sarah Parsons, educator at Westside Elementary. “Lots of kids enjoy video games that let them build alongside visuals. These kits bring that comfort into the classroom.”
That mindset is now spilling into the school day. Sarah’s students now associate reading time with the iSprowt Herb Garden Kit—recalling how they dissected beans while exploring a story and how learning felt fun, creative, and alive. Even when lessons aren’t hands-on, students are eager to discuss their reading—just like they did when planting seedlings together.
Into the Growth Zone
At Dragon Academy, one word defines the experience: growth. You see it in a child with an iSprowt Kit—patting soil, connecting science to reading a story on the life cycle of plants. Or in a teacher taking inspiration by the reins, guiding kids to program Bee-Bots® to find rhyming words. Everywhere, young leaders emerge—showing what a step into something new can achieve.
For more information on securing the afterschool opportunities in your district, visit Afterschool Works for America.
Browse our catalog to bring next-level learning to your OST program.