At the center , Pinball is not all fun and games ; the goal is very serious . They partake in academic research , participate in community outreach via afterschool programs , social clubs , a Family Arcade , and foster a friendly , supportive atmosphere through mentor programs , leagues , and open play . The center even procures machines for families who would benefit beyond recreational purposes , like , households with autistic children , children with Down Syndrome , or neurological conditions like cerebral palsy .
Driving the vision and presence of the center is founder Joe P . Said , who launched this organization in 2012 . Said has 15 years of experience designing and providing assistive technologies to individuals with disabilities and founded GH Accessibility to further these ends . “ I believe [ pinball ] has untapped potential and value as an educational and therapeutic tool . I want to share it with everyone ,” Said states on the center ’ s website .
Consider these therapeutic qualities of Pinball and the center : > With few exceptions , pinball machines are family friendly . > Development of hand-eye coordination > Refined bilateral coordination skills and motor planning
> Development of both fine and gross motor control through repetitious movements
> Increased attention span and visual memory > Encouragement of social interaction , turn-taking , and sportsmanship > Decreased anxiety
For quite some time , the Pinball Education Center ’ s flagship location has bounced around , trying to find a permanent home in Frederick . Now that they ’ re here and settled , this organization will bring its stated mission to “ utilize the wonderful and unique game of pinball for the social enrichment , skill development and education of kids and young adults ” to Frederick and our surrounding cities . The center hopes , due to Frederick ’ s equidistant location to Baltimore and Washington D . C ., that they will become a hub for field trips and other educational ventures as well .
Photography by iStock . com / steinphoto pinball-edu . org facebook . com / pinballedu
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