Jamicia Succeeds through Northside’s Teen Program
Students Enjoy Learning with Science Club and Field Trips

Jamicia began attending Northside Child Development Center as a baby. Now 14 years old, the teen from North Minneapolis visits the learning center almost daily. Northside has been part of her family’s life for 20 years. Both of her older brothers attended Northside until they turned 13.

“I’ve been here basically my whole life,” Jamicia says. “We all grew up here, but I’ve been here the longest.”

Jamicia already has big plans for herself after high school. “I have two back-up plans," she says. "I like to write. So I’d like to be a journalist. Or someone who helps deliver babies – a midwife. I’ve always really loved babies.”

At Northside, Jamicia gains experience with both goals. Each day, the teens write a journal entry about their day or spend time reading. They complete their homework and participate in activities or free time when they can play with the younger children.

“We learn history. We get help with homework,” Jamicia says. “It’s more than just field trips. We do a lot of different things.”

One of Jamicia’s most memorable field trips, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, didn’t take her far from home, but the experience expanded her horizons. “It was my first time there. I liked the indoor garden and the sculptures were all neat.”

The teens also visited the history museum and the science museum, which Jamicia loved because science is one of her favorite subjects. And through TryScience, Northside’s science club for teens, she can continue learning. The club, a partnership with the University of Minnesota, meets every other week to experiment and explore science.

“I’d never been in a science club. It’s different from any other school club,” Jamicia says. “We’re learning. It’s fun. We learn science.”

“It’s great to learn and do new things. They’re always teaching us new things,” Jamicia says. “I think the teen program gets us prepared for the world, especially as we get older. I love it here. I just love it here.”

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