Sophia Libman, a young woman with a passion for education, has created a global non-profit that is helping children discover their potential through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).
“In math, X represents an unknown value. With X-Time, we want students to find their ‘X,’ which is their passion or interest that has yet to be discovered,” Sophia explained.
Sophia founded X-Time in high school as a way to keep kids engaged and learning from home during the pandemic in 2020. The program began by offering free, 30-minute online Zoom classes led by high school students, college students, professors, business owners, artists, and more.
Now a freshman at the University of Illinois, Sophia’s initiative has grown significantly. Children now participate in STEAM classes in schools, churches, community centers, and other locations.
“You can see the moment when the kids start to get excited. It’s fun to watch them learn and solve problems on their own,” said Fiona Leakey, a volunteer.
The classes are run by college and high school volunteers who guide children through hands-on activities and experiments.
“My favorite station is the slime station,” said volunteer Izzy Schwartz. “It’s always been a favorite of mine, and the kids love it too. It’s always a hit.”
X-Time also offers summer camps, keeping kids’ minds and bodies active during school breaks.
“You can really see the spark of curiosity in the kids. After class, they continue exploring and learning,” Sophia said.
In addition, X-Time runs ‘X-PLORE’ stations in libraries, pediatric hospital units, and crisis nurseries. These stations are filled with STEAM materials like Legos and magnet tiles.
The classes are primarily designed for elementary students, while the summer camps are aimed at third through sixth graders. However, children of all ages are welcome. X-Time’s influence has now spread beyond central Illinois.
Sophia’s high school, Academy High, has a sister school in Taiwan. Through this partnership, X-Time has expanded internationally, with a club now established in Taiwan, complete with an X-PLORE station at a local library.
X-Time clubs are now active in 25 states and 10 countries worldwide, with Sophia at the helm.
Last year, Sophia was honored with the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award, recognizing her efforts as a national change maker.
“The real joy comes from seeing students having fun and wanting to learn,” Sophia said.
For Sophia, seeing the smiles on children’s faces through X-Time is the greatest reward.
