CHAMPAIGN, Il. (WCIA) — A remarkable young woman who has built a global non-profit is helping kids step into the world of STEAM; it is an educational approach integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

“In math, X is the value that’s not yet known. So we want students to be able to find their X through X-Time, which is their passion, spark, or interest that’s not yet discovered,” Sophia Libman explained.

Sophia founded X-Time when she was in high school as a way to help children stay engaged from the safety of their homes. It was at the start of the pandemic in 2020.

“We started off by leading free, 30-minute online zoom classes lead by high school students, college students, professors, local business owners, musicians, artists, and more,” Sophia recalled.

Now, Sophia is a freshman at the U of I, and X-Time has grown exponentially. Kids meet for STEAM classes in schools, churches, community centers, and more.

“You see the cogs turning…once you start [showing the kids how to do activities in class]. And then, you see everyone else kind of watch you do it…it’s really fun to see them grow, learn, and figure stuff out for themselves,” volunteer Fiona Leakey said.

College and high school volunteers lead all types of activities and experiments at these classes.

“I think my favorite station would have to be the slime station,” volunteer Izzy Schwartz shared. “I know when I was a kid it was my favorite thing to do. The kids seem to be having a blast. It seems to be a big hit.”

The X-Time summer camps are also a big hit, keeping minds and bodies active when school is out. 

“I think you really can just tell that there’s a spark of curiosity,” Sophia said. “Then, [the children are] able to take that spark of curiosity with them to continue to explore after our class.”

There are also ‘X-PLORE’ stations at many child centered spaces like libraries, pediatric hospital units, and crisis nurseries. They are full of STEAM materials, such as Legos and magnet tiles.

The classes are geared toward elementary students. The summer camps are suited for third through sixth graders. However, children who are younger or older are still welcome to both. All that X-Time has to offer goes far beyond central Illinois.

“My high school, Academy High…[has] a sister school partnership with a school in Taiwan. I was able to reach out to that school, and now there’s an X-Time club in Taiwan. They’ve built an X-PLORE station at a library there.”

X-Time clubs have popped up in 25 states and 10 other countries. It is a global educational impact with Sophia leading the way.

Last year, Sophia’s efforts earned her the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award. It honors teen change makers nationwide. 

“I think being able to see the true impact and witnessing students really having fun and wanting to learn makes so happy,” Sophia said.

For Sophia, seeing a smile on a child’s face thanks to X-Time is beyond rewarding.