2024 Award Recipient
SophiaLibman
Project X-Time
Project X-Time
When the pandemic shut down in-person classes and activities, Sophia saw how the disruption created challenges for parents and children alike. She wanted to find a way to offer fun, educational opportunities for kids from the safety of their homes.
Sophia asked local school teachers, college professors, and business owners to volunteer to lead one-hour Zoom classes in their area of expertise, and that’s how X-Time was launched.
In a short period of time, interest in Sophia’s online classes blossomed and enrollment grew. As the pandemic improved, X-Time transitioned to in-person classes and summer camps. Sophia added what she calls “X-PLORE Stations” — collections of interactive STEAM materials provided for free to child-centered sites, including community and youth centers, public libraries, crisis centers, and hospitals with pediatric units. X-Time continues to grow nationally and internationally, with 200 volunteers helping to reach more than 2,000 students across 20 states and eight countries.
X-Time works to foster children’s curiosity by providing hands-on learning experiences in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) education. The volunteer-led network offers classes, summer camps, and “X-PLORE Stations” — collections of free, interactive educational materials — to child-centered sites in underserved areas, including community centers, crisis nurseries, libraries, and hospitals with pediatric units. X-Time has reached more than 3,000 students in 25 states, and grown a network of 200 volunteers.
