Webinar:
prevention of depression: a perspective on peer leadership program for high school students
BELRAG invites you to Part 2 of our webinar collaboration with the Rotary Action Group on Mental Health. The webinar will be presented by Dr. Rita Aggarwal, Consulting Psychologist and Chair of the RAG on Mental Health. This presentation will aim to develop mental health literacy for teenagers, their parents, and their teachers on the nexus between stress, anxiety, and depression. The presentation will talk about a program that seeks to train students in coping strategies while peers are trained in active listening amidst an atmosphere of compassion & empathy with the help of counselors. The webinar will offer insights into the program that encourages
schools to employ trained psychologists as counselors while teachers and parents act as first line caretakers.
If you missed Part 1 of this webinar series, Social Emotional Learning: The Foundation to Lifelong Success, here is the link. Dr Aggarwal inspired us with her compelling insights of how Rotarians can - and should - be involved with supporting young children in their social emotional growth.
đź“… Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
⏰ Time Zones:
10:00 AM / 10:00 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) – US & Canada
3:00 PM / 15:00 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) – London
5:00 PM / 17:00 Eastern European Time (EET) – Cairo
5:00 PM / 17:00 East Africa Time (EAT) – Kampala
BELRAG is accepting applications for its 2026 Project Awards. The deadline is September 30, 2026. Up to four ongoing or implemented basic education projects, including mathematics, literacy information, and technology, will receive $500 each - three awards to Rotary clubs and one award to a Rotaract club. Awards can be used to progress another project or develop further what you are already involved in.
Students using ground penetrating radar equipment similar to the equipment Astronauts use to discern what is below the lunar or mars surface.
STEM YEA (Youth Explorer Academy) is a four-day, three-night immersive, residential, STEM-focused Academy that provides equitable opportunities for students entering eighth grade next school year. The Academy explores intriguing STEM areas while inspiring and engaging students. Sponsored by District 7430 Rotary Clubs, the program was held at Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA, July 9 through 12, 2026. The theme was "Astrobiology: the Search for Life on Mars."
Sixty-four students completed the four-day event, sponsored by 25 Rotary Clubs.
Eight STEM sessions, along with project building, team building, and Rotary informational sessions, were held over four days. Students built models of Mars habitats from recyclable materials. The habitats were displayed at the Exposition held before the Sunday evening Celebration Dinner, which was attended by 240 Rotarians, students, and family members.
Evening sessions included a visit to Kutztown University’s Grim Planetarium to see “One Step Beyond, A Journey to Mars.” Students enjoyed using the electron microscope and setting off rockets in exercises led by Chemistry and Geology professors. Tower Health (Reading Hospital) provided resources to teach CPR, STOP THE BLEED and bicycle safety.
Rotary Clubs followed up with their students, inviting them to a club meeting to learn about their experience at STEM YEA 2026.
SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT
Founded in 2010, the mEducation Alliance (mEA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening education ecosystems to bring marvelous education. We focus on the evidence-driven and sustainable uses of both tech and non-tech interventions and applications to advance quality outcomes, particularly in K-12 education in low-resource contexts.
With over 200 Alliance and Community of Practice (CoP) members, mEA is one of the largest ongoing multi-stakeholder convening platform for Ministries of Education (MoEs), other policymakers, funders, implementers, researchers, and practitioners committed to advancing equitable, high-quality education primarily through technology and STEM education.
We are planning a year of exciting activities, including building out our Ambassadors program, a series of webinars and digital resources highlighting impactful BEL projects, and hosting a STEM and Education Hub at the RI Convention in Barcelona in 2027. To support these and other activities, we seek additional financial support. If you are interested in being recognized as a BELRAG sponsor (e.g., $500+), please email me, Tony Bloome, BELRAG Chair, at abloome@meducationalliance.org.
