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Stop the "Summer Slide"
Monday, June 17, 2013
By: Grace Choi

Summer Learning Challenge tackles "summer slide"

While summer is filled with the joys of street festivals and warmer weather, the three-month hiatus from school often leads to  “Summer Slide,” a learning loss that occurs when kids are not actively engaged in learning. Summer slide disproportionately affects low-income children who don’t have the resources to afford summer camps or field trips that promote learning, exploration and critical thinking, putting them at a further disadvantage. 

Chicago Public Library’s Foundation-funded Summer Learning Challenge tackles summer slide head on with a redesigned format that attracts every learning style. In partnership with the Museum of Science and Industry and the Art Institute of Chicago, this year’s theme Full STEAM Ahead incorporates science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) to create an adventure-filled summer of experiential learning and discovery. 

“We know that all kids learn differently," said Library Commissioner Brian Bannon. "Some take to reading immediately and others prefer to learn through hands-on activities.  While reading is still a central feature of our summer program, the expansion into learning, creating and discovery will enable us to reach more kids with broader interests." 

Participants will also be able to earn six digital badges as part of Mayor Emanuel’s Chicago Summer of Learning. Chicago is also the first city to pilot a city-wide digital badge system across hundreds of organizations and learning opportunities to visually represent and reward students’ achievements. 

For more information on how to participate, as well as a calendar of activities for the Summer Learning Challenge, visit www.chipublib.org.