In Albany, Oregon, weekends at the Community Center aren't just about sports or playtime at the park. Thanks to the city's Parks & Recreation department, kids are rolling up their sleeves for experiments, hands-on projects and plenty of "aha" moments. The Exploration Zone and STEM Saturdays invite children as young as three and as old as eleven to dive into science, technology, engineering and math in ways that feel more like discovery than homework.
These programs are designed with simple goals in mind: make learning fun, make it hands-on and make it something kids look forward to. One week might be all about mixing baking soda and vinegar to watch a fizzy reaction bubble over. Another might focus on building simple structures or learning how light bends when it passes through water. No matter the subject, it's about sparking curiosity and showing kids that big ideas can be explored in small, approachable ways.
Ziply Fiber is proud to help make these opportunities possible. As Community Development Manager for Oregon, Kevin Guillen explained, "We'd like to continue to support the program and make sure that it remains a resource for the community, and so we decided to be the sponsor for this year."
This is actually Ziply Fiber's second year partnering with the program. Last year's support was primarily financial, ensuring staff had the supplies they needed to keep classes running smoothly. This year, we're looking to bring in more than funding. "Now we're looking to get a date down to actually go in person and maybe provide a little bit of information on what fiber optics is, so the kids can learn about fiber internet," Kevin said.
That added presence means kids will get to see science at work in real time. Inspired by exhibits at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland, the team is planning a demonstration that shows how light bends, offering a simple but powerful example of the science behind fiber optics. "What I'm looking to do is create a light experiment," Kevin explained. "I want to keep it age-appropriate, something fun but still educational, the kind of lesson that can stick with kids long after the event is over."
The setting itself adds to the experience. Events take place in the Community Center near Monteith Park, one of the city's most cherished public spaces. As Kevin described it, "That's a very vital area for recreation and a source of pride for the whole town." Inside the center, the program feels like a community science fair, with kids sitting at tables, staff guiding activities and everyone encouraged to get involved. Parents often join in, watching their children explore, question and create in a supportive environment.
And while the experiments might be the highlight, the little touches matter too. Kids leave with swag like pens, notepads and magnets to display their projects at home. It's a small reminder that learning doesn't end when the event wraps up. It can continue at the kitchen table, on the fridge door or in the backyard.
The Exploration Zone and STEM Saturdays run through December, and for the families who attend, they're more than just an activity. They're a chance to see their kids light up with excitement, to watch them discover new ideas and to know that their community, and companies like Ziply Fiber, are invested in giving them those opportunities.
Read more about our community involvement.
