What does OREXIAN FOUNDATION do?
Orexian Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in state of IA and pursuing it’s IRS 501(c3) status. The main purpose of this foundation is to make human life more engaging and involved. To promote innovation, systems thinking at any age (preferably at an early age). We help kids enjoy life through loving science. Kids learn without having to compete and win. This helps them focus on learning rather than winning.
At Orexian foundation we have programs and activities that will help an all-round development of the mind-body-spirit. Our initial start up activities are Sur-Sargam: Music4Fun Vocal Music Class and SURGE- Science4 Fun Science Summer Workshop.
Here is some addition information on how Orexian Foundation is different in its offering: https://orexian.org/how-is-orexian-foundation-different-in-its-s-offering/
What is Sur-Sargam?
Sur-Sargam is the first activity in the Music4Fun area. Kids and adults learn to sing and enjoy the nuances of semi-classical music from India. We will soon be adding other ethnic music varieties. Our instructors are professional as well as hobbyists.
Sur-Sargam also has a recital events periodically and creative remix videos of class participants.
What is SURGE?
SURGE is a Science4Fun Activity. You can find more details about SURGE by following this link: https://science4fun.orexian.org/surge/
How does Science4Fun affect/impact my kid?
The Science4Fun activities are devised to help the kids build deeper understanding of the things by doing hands-on activities (projects and experiments). These projects and experiements are carefully chosen to impart basic and advanced principles, team work, innovation, integration and impact of any learning really depends on how much the kids invest in it, essentially time investment. Studies have shown that the investment in learning depends on personal inclination and liking as well as engagement. Studies have shown that engagement is highest when kids are involved in hands-on activities. The whole body and mind are working in a coordinated fashion. During the workshop, the kids are doing projects and experiments, interacting with other kids, activities themselves and have fun through them. This will ensure highest engagement and learning.
Here is some more information on this topic. https://orexian.org/information-knowledge-skill-presence-of-mind/
What age group kids can enroll?
Any kid older than 5 years of age can enroll.
Can the younger kids sit through 4 a hour session?
This is a question we get a lot. There is enough data (and experience by parents) to show that the average span of attention by kids is approximately 2 to 5 times their age. So attention span of a 5 year old is 10-25 mins. Within this the kids can ignore distractions. So obviously even a 15 year old kid won’t be able to sit through a 4 hour session. However, the attention span is counted based on one activity being performed at a stretch. So if we were to keep a kid of any age engaged; there needs to be a strategy. We have several activities for each age group and even then our facilitators are experienced parents themselves. Additionally our “Roll & Stroll” strategy will make sure that the younger kids not only are doing their own activity but are adequately mobile and be associated with older kids to help them in their projects. This sense of being “useful” and “contributing” will increase their participation.
Of course, that doesn’t mean each kid will be engaged to the same degree. However we have confidence that with our “Roll & Stroll” strategy, we will be able to keep the young participants engaged.
What topics would be covered in the workshops?
Orexian Foundation’s main purpose is to develop deeper understanding of things. Science is the basis we have chosen. Science and arts are in yin-yang. At times the lines between science and arts get blurred. With this thinking; our workshops will contain basic sciences, application of the learning of basic and advanced principles and artistically thinking outside of the box, meaning innovating without fear of failure. Winning is not the goal but developing deeper understanding and developing an art of systems thinking are the key goals of these workshops.
The sciences projects will include Physics (Sound, Light, Magnetism, Electricity, Electronics, Mechanics, Gravity etc…), Biology (Cell Biology, DNA, Organ functions etc…), Chemistry (Solutions, Colors, Chemistry in cooking etc….), Day To Day Sciences (Innovating solutions of day to day activities…. just for fun).
Additional information can also be found here: https://science4fun.orexian.org/project-ideas/
Don’t the kids learn these fundamentals in schools?
Yes and no both. What we learn in schools is a lot of useful information but the workshops help convert this information to knowledge by applying it and experimenting with it to develop skills. So schools are very important but at same times the workshops complement the learning in schools to develop additional skills.
Please find an interesting article on this topic on our website: https://orexian.org/can-we-learn-without-learning-err-education/
What if my kid misses a session or two?
Obviously we want to make sure that no one misses learning even though one a couple of sessions are missed. We are working on securing facilities to hold 6 workshops so that kids can attend all six, even though the donation will cover only 4. Our main goal is to make sure kids learn & enjoy.
How do we register and pay?
For Science4Fun SURGE Summer Workshops, you can register and pay here: https://orexian.org/enrollment-form/
For Music4Fun Sur-Sargam weekly class, you can register and pay here: https://orexian.org/sursargam-music4fun-vocal-weekly-activity-enrollment/
Are you covering only science in SURGE?
Not really. Although the basic is science, the projects and experiments are day to day projects. An example would be Book Binding. How was a book bound in the past? This covers physics, chemistry and integrating the learning from both. Or when doctors listen to our chest (or heart) what exactly are they doing… see and hear heart beats by learning light, electricity, sensors etc. See the Project Sheet here: Heart-O-Scope Picture!
Are there other activities for an overall development?
Currently Orexian Foundation is conducting Science4Fun and Music4Fun activities. We are soon introducing our Writing4Fun. The board of directors are also working to develop some strategies to work with community leaders to tackle community problems to develop innovative solutions and give back to community.
Can a parent attend with their kid?
Of course the parents can attend. However, we have seen that kids typically get distracted when parents are present. If you are going to be there, you will be asked to work with other groups and not with your kid’s group. The workshop sessions will be conducted mostly in facilities where parents can leave their kid(s) with us and spend their time productively within the facility.
Does attending science workshop improve my kid’s GPA?
GPA is a measure of what you learn in schools. It’s a measure of how much information one has & one can recall. However, even if one has the information (or one remembers it), doesn’t necessarily mean that one has knowledge of applying it or has developed skill.
While GPA is important for college admissions, it doesn’t necessarily give one a successful career and satisfaction of having that information.
The workshops certainly develop the information in to knowledge and skill thereby strengthening the basic information. So, although, improving GPA isn’t the goal of these workshops; it will certainly help improving it. Moreover, it will help develop affinity towards science in a subtle way by connecting science to daily life.
What experience do you have in teaching or training?
Some of our coaches and facilitators have experience in teaching middle school to engineering students and have served on university examination boards.
But moreover we are parents who have and are actively involved in teaching and training our kids. We also have a high school and graduate students on our board to help us develop workshop structure.
Where are the activities held?
SUR-SARGAM- The weekly classes are held in two locations. One in Bettendorf on Tuesday evenings and one in Moline on Wednesday evenings.
SURGE ACTIVITIES: We have been working with area libraries and area community centers to hold these activities. Although we have 6 locations reserved for our workshops and before each workshop session, the location for that session will be shared with registered participants. This is the reason we would like you to register in advance!
Is Orexian Foundation non-profit?
Yes Orexian Foundation is registered as a non-profit organization in state of IA. We have applied for our tax exempt status with IRS (501(c3)) and as soon as we get it, you will be able to claim the tax benefit for our donations.
Can I claim tax benefits by donating to Orexian Foundation?
Yes Orexian Foundation is registered as a non-profit organization in state of IA.
We have applied for our tax exempt status with IRS (501(c3)) and as soon as we get it, you will be able to claim the tax benefit for our donations.
Are there any year around activities of the foundation?
SURGE Science Workshops: We have been requested to conduct year around activities. For now, there is no plan as kids are very busy during the school year in several activities. We don’t want to burden them with one more. However, we are working on developing strategies to address this.
Sur-Sargam Music Vocal Class: Is a weekly year around activity. Held in 5 batches. 3 in Bettendorf on Tuesdays and 2 in Moline on Wednesdays.
Can I volunteer?
Yes. The prerequisite is that you should be registered as a participant for our Music4Fun or Science4Fun activity.
Yes, of course anyone can volunteer. We would like to see anyone that wants to volunteer attend the workshop so they can better understand Orexian Foundation’s mission and methods. This will also gives us an ability to learn more about one who wants to volunteer. Based on the kids’ desire, passion and ability we will offer them volunteering opportunities.
Can my kid volunteer? Can he/she get a certificate of volunteering?
Anyone that’s accepted as volunteer, will get certificate should they need one.
How will the kids be grouped for the workshops?
Initially the kids will be grouped on the age group criteria and closeness of relationships. It’s seen that friends working together, learn quickly.
My kids has enrolled in to other summer activities; would enrolling for SURGE be too much?
Of course not. SURGE is for fun while learning science. If nothing else, this will provide recreation.
Is there any kind of exam or test at the end of Summer Workshop sessions?
No there will be no exam nor any test. However, the kids will proudly share their learnings with class and parents towards the end.
Would there be a certificate at the end of these sessions?
Each participant will get the certificate of participation.
How would I see the benefits of the workshop?
It’s a tough question to answer. Not because its difficult but because every participant is going to see the benefits differently. However one thing that will common is having fun with science. Anything that participants will learn, will learn deeply and will feel satisfied. They will have fun!
I can’t find my question here! How do I contact you?
You can send your question to info@orexian.org.
Or send us a WhatsApp message on +1 563 663 9139 and ask your question.
Or use our General Interest Form by clicking the link: https://orexian.org/general-interest-form/ and enter your question in the comment field.