What do Positive Spin Students do when it’s cold out?
BikePGH’s Positive Spin after school program at Barack Obama Academy of International Studies 6-12 has been in full swing even though the weather isn’t quite perfect. The students rode their bikes until they absolutely could not anymore. And just because it got cold outside, does not mean they are slowing down. During the winter months, students are still engaged in many bike centered activities. From bike and pedestrian infrastructure writing prompts to art projects, our Positive Spin program keeps students busy until the spring thaw.
On our no biking days, Positive Spin students focused on sharing their thoughts with community stakeholders. Through these writing prompts, we want to show the students that they have a voice. In class they have the opportunity to write letters to fellow community members and stakeholders. We want our students to understand that how they feel about their community matters and introduce them to the key people to talk to when you want to see change.
We know that our students are sitting in school all day working diligently on semester finals and other projects, and sometimes they need a break from writing all day. So when that happens we offer artistic alternative and our bike ambassador/art teacher extraordinaire Donna Hetrick comes to the rescue!
Bike Art
Using her creative mind and love for bikes, she came up with two art projects focused around biking. In one session the Positive Spin students worked on still life drawings using a bike and a bike pump as the two optional subjects.
The second project got a little messier….
Using a bunch of old bike parts including chains, gears, cassettes, students arranged them on the canvas of their choice and spray painted them to create an abstract stencil image of their own design. We have found that this gives the youth a constructive way to decompress from the day. Our program offers a sense of freedom through biking. So when we cannot get them out on the bike we still offer that freedom through creative expression.
Check out what our students have to say…
The Program so far is great. I love it because it gives kids the opportunity to learn how to ride bikes on the streets and learn how to navigate through the city. ~ Jason Thomas
The Positive Spin bike club has been a great way to learn riding bikes safely in the city. ~Liisa Kammonen
With BikePGH’s Positive Spin bike fleet expanding and new partnerships being made there is no doubt that eventually we’ll be able to share safe cycling education and mentorship to every Pittsburgh Public School all over the city.
Want to help our Positive Spin program grow? Donate at bikepgh.org/give
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