The Bourns Youth Innovation Center at Arlington Park is transforming how local children interact with technology by providing affordable access to high-tech equipment and classes.
The center, operated by the Riverside Parks and Recreation Department, offers unique opportunities for Riverside youth at affordable prices. Kids can take part in a robotics camp for $150 per week—including lunch and field trips—compared to similar programs elsewhere that cost up to $500.
“We’re really trying to create that accessibility to STEM for our at-risk populations, making it affordable,” said Victoria Koo-Young, the center’s coordinator.
The facility houses 3D printers, laser engravers, and video and audio recording equipment that members can use after completing a free one-hour introductory session.
Parents frequently express concerns about excessive screen time, but Koo-Young offers an alternative perspective. “Let’s teach them to do something on a screen then and make it a career path for them,” she said…