Ten years ago, high school science teacher and mom of three Kristie Akl imagined a space in her community where kids and families could come together to learn, explore and develop an early love for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Over the course of a decade, what started as pop-up workshops and offering science kits to local families soon morphed into a brick-and-mortar children's museum where kids can learn and play in a safe place.
Just six weeks after opening its doors in Ventura County, that space — now called kidSTREAM — partnered with Edison to host an Ecuador vs. Mexico soccer watch party, one of 14 watch parties Edison is sponsoring across Southern California.
SCE Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Marc Ulrich welcomes parents and kids to the Ecuador vs. Mexico watch party at kidSTREAM.
"I bring my kids here probably once a week," said Camarillo resident and mom of five, Salena Bracamontes. "It’s reassuring to know that this is a safe space where my kids are learning real-life skills, like how to communicate effectively and build confidence in social settings, and it's cool that they can do it while I get to watch the game."
Having already reached more than 60,000 kids and families throughout Ventura County, the organization offers immersive indoor and outdoor exhibits, such as a climbable Channel Islands feature, a kelp obstacle course, a farmers market and more. It was the perfect set up to keep kids entertained while the adults cheered on their team.
Kids weigh out produce at kidSTREAM’s farmers market exhibit, one of several immersive outdoor experiences that kept them entertained throughout the watch party.
"kidSTREAM was designed for children from birth through age 10, embracing the natural joy and curiosity that every child possesses and transforming it into a lifelong love of learning," said Dani Hildreth, kidSTREAM director of Guest Experience. "We are committed to nurturing that curiosity across all backgrounds and creating a welcoming community hub where families can learn, play and grow together."
The watch party is just the most recent collaboration between Edison and kidSTREAM. Edison International has partnered with kidSTREAM since 2018, providing grant funding totaling $50,000.
Young fans played with giant soccer balls while their parents enjoyed the game at the Edison International and kidSTREAM watch party.
That support allows kidSTREAM to offer every child a chance to explore, regardless of economic background. Its ACCESS program works with families receiving government assistance to reduce admission to $3 through the Museums for All initiative, and funds field trips for schools, nonprofit programs and other groups in need.
"The future of clean energy will require talented, diverse thinkers, and there’s no better way to spark that interest than by giving children opportunities to explore STEM at an early age," said Aja Clarke, director of Corporate Relations and Philanthropy. "kidSTREAM’s new space creates a welcoming environment where families can come together, learn and experience opportunities — like celebrating sporting events — in a way that is engaging, accessible and inspiring."
For Bracamontes and the other 100 parents in the community that signed up for the watch party, the game might have been a little less exciting without this new community hub.
"If we weren’t here tonight, we’d probably just be sitting at home," she said. "There aren't a lot of spaces that are kid-friendly for this kind of thing, so I'm grateful to Edison and kidSTREAM for putting this together."
For more information on Edison International’s commitment to giving back, visit edison.com/community.
