Recursos de Million Girls Moonshot

El trabajo de la Iowa Active Learning Community Partnership es posible gracias a la financiación de STEM Next y la subvención Million Girls Moonshot Innovator. La misión de MGM es ampliar las oportunidades STEM, específicamente en el campo de la ingeniería, para las niñas en los Estados Unidos, lo que es posible gracias a estas asociaciones estatales individuales. Esta página tiene un enlace directo al sitio web Million Girls Moonshot, así como recursos a los que puede acceder para compartir con su personal.

Más información sobre Million Girls Moonshot

Resources

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January 2024

February 2024

March 2024

April 2024

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Million Girl Moonshot Minute Past Newsletters

May 2024

Special Opportunities

Teen Science Cafe Fellows: 2024-2025 Information Session
May 23rd 4:30-5:30pm ET/ 1:30-2:30pm PT

The Teen Science Cafe (TSC) Fellows initiative is a ten-month
training program designed to help informal educators
implement Teen Science Cafes in their community.
Teen Science Cafe Fellows receive one-on-one support from
TSC Guides to launch a cafe program and
host three cafe events during the year.
Fellows receive a $2,500 stipend to support their work!

Girl Scouts New STEM Playbook!

The world of STEM is filled with endless opportunities to make a difference. From exploring computer coding and space exploration to building robots and solutions to problems such as climate change, girls are using STEM as a tool to change our world.

And you can help them make it all possible! Girl Scouts’ new STEM Playbook is designed for anyone looking to encourage a love of STEM in girls of all ages. Whether you’re involved with Girl Scouts or simply a supportive adult, the new STEM Playbook offers ideas, guidance, and access to resources and tools to grow girls' interest and skills in the field. Download the new STEM Playbook and discover new ideas to help girls build the future with STEM.

Download Girl Scouts’ New STEM Playbook Here

Project Brainy

Project Brainy is a six-session neuroscience-based curriculum
designed for out of school time (OST) programs. The curriculum
enables middle-school students to build social-emotional skills,
engage in interactive STEM learning and increase literacy.
Summer and fall 2024 OST programs are invited to apply to
participate in a research project to study the implementation
of the curriculum. Selected programs will receive training and
ongoing support on the curriculum and a $1,500 participation stipend.

Learn more and apply here.

Professional Development

WEBINARS

ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
Wednesdays: 5/8, 5/22, 6/5/2024 2:00 - 4:00 pm EST / 11:00 - 1:00 pm PST

Questions begin a path toward discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice. This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend.
REGISTER HERE Code: AC362PQ (Coach Hannah L)

ACRES Coaching: Nurturing STEM Identity and Making Career Connections
Mondays: 5/6, 5/20, 6/3/2024 6:00 - 8:00 pm EST / 3:00 - 5:00 pm PST

How do you help youth recognize their connection to and role in STEM? How do you help youth learn about STEM careers? Participants experience several easy-to-implement strategies, including a photo elicitation activity that can help youth form STEM identities, and then learn how to conduct related activities with youth. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. REGISTER HERE Code: AC331ID (Coach Emma C)

Info Session about Micro-credentials and Digital Badging
Wednesday, May 8th 1:00 - 2:00 pm EST / 10:00 - 11:00 am PST

ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM) is excited to offer additional Information Sessions about STEM micro-credentials, which are competency-based, digital badges for afterschool and out-of-school professionals offered through the National Afterschool Association. These sessions are free, live, interactive, and one hour in length. You will learn about what Micro-credentials are and how to apply for them.
PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM, choose the date that works best for you, and we'll reach out to you with the Zoom link. FMI contact acres@mmsa.org (Note: It isn’t necessary to attend more than one informational session as the content is consistent.)

Including All Learners in Engineering
Wednesday, May 8th 1:00 - 1:45 PM ET

In a highly competitive world, how do we lead program
activities in a way that helps young people feel like
engineering is a discipline in which they can succeed
and thrive? Join this virtual 45-minute mini-workshop to
learn about and develop strategies for creating engineering
experiences that are inclusive for all youth.
What makes an engineering activity open and inclusive?
Come away with ideas you can put into practice.
Register Here

Transformative Practices

Equity and Inclusion

Access to STEM Framework: To improve the overall quality of out-of-school STEM programs, we need to address how program providers design and implement programming to increase access in STEM for youth who have been underrepresented in the STEM fields. Partnering with the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) and national experts, we have developed an Access to STEM Framework — a guide for supporting program providers in this transformation. Download the Framework.
A Summary of Effective Gender Equitable Teaching Practices in Informal STEM Education Spaces: This article summarizes research on gender equitable practices for middle school girls in the last decade and addresses the disconnect between research and practice. The article focuses on ways to connect STEM experiences to girls’ lives, emphasizing the ways that STEM is collaborative and community-oriented, and providing opportunities for girls to interact with and learn from diverse role models.
Beyond Equity as Inclusion: Framework of “Rightful Presence” for Guiding Justice-Oriented Studies in Teaching and Learning: This article presents a framework to guide the study of teaching and learning in justice-oriented ways. This framework highlights the limitations of equity as inclusion, which does not adequately address the ways in which systemic injustices manifest in local classroom practice. Three tenets for guiding the use of this framework in teaching and learning are offered.

Engineering Mindsets

Engineering Mindset Overview: An engineering mindset refers to the attitudes and thinking skills associated with engineering — using a systematic engineering design process, considering real-world problems, applying math and science, and working in teams. The Moonshot focuses on 10 engineering practices. An overview of each practice follows, and subsequent briefs will explore each one individually.
New Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA (GSAWN) Resources: The Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA program, part of NASA's Universe of Learning, provides resources and experiences that enable girls, families, and lifelong learners to explore fundamental questions in astrophysics and discover the universe for themselves. New resources include the GSAWN Program Cookbook, stages of a star's Life Flipbook, a Stellar Life Cycle Bookmark and Bracelet, and Stellar Evolution Scavenger Hunt.

Role Models, Mentors, and Families
Role models, mentors, and family engagement in a young person’s STEM education leads to increased interest, greater self-confidence, and ultimately a stronger STEM identity. Developing a science-related identity increases the likelihood that students will work toward developing science literacy, or even pursue a career in a science or STEM-related field.

Article: How One Woman's Story Led to the Creation of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (yahoo.com) The month of May was selected for two reasons: First, to commemorate the arrival of the first known Japanese immigrant to the U.S. on May 7, 1843; secondly, to honor the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 — the building of which up to 20,000 Chinese workers participated in. But who’s idea was it to celebrate? And Why? Learn about a remarkable woman who advocated for this celebration.
Blog: Inspiring AAPI Scientists and Engineers - Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month | Science Buddies Blog This list contains only a few of the many inspiring AANHPI scientists and engineers who have made (and are making) important contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) For each scientist, we have included a short biographical note, a link to a hands-on science project or activity related to the scientist's area of study, a link to a relevant science career profile, and a link to a biography to help students learn more about individual scientists. Educators can use this career worksheet to guide student exploration and reflection about STEM careers.
Role models: Influential Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in STEM | Washington D.C. & Maryland Area | Capitol Technology University (captechu.edu) May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and the Capitology blog is celebrating by highlighting some of the most influential modern day AAPI members involved in STEM. NASA has recognized a myriad of such members, all of whom deserve to be recognized and honored for their achievements. Links to resources are in the role model listing.
Videos: Asian American scientists in STEM classrooms: increasing inclusion and visibility | NOVA | PBS Learn about Asian and Pacific Islander American scientists who have helped change the world, and the call for greater inclusion of their work in curriculum and textbooks. Videos, interviews, and links to other resources are included.
Role model visits (in person or virtual) SWE - The World's Largest Advocate for Women in Engineering The Society of Women Engineers has chapters across the country. Each chapter is committed to supporting learners and will find the right role model and facilitate in person or virtual visits. SWE also provides a variety of youth programs that range from in person activities to scholarships.
Videos: Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month: Stories, Facts, History &… | PBS Growing up Asian: This series of short, highly engaging videos tells personal stories of Asians in America. What was it like to grow up with this identity?
Blog: Inspiring AAPI Scientists and Engineers - Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month | Science Buddies Blog This list contains only a few of the many inspiring AANHPI scientists and engineers who have made (and are making) important contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) For each scientist, we have included a short biographical note, a link to a hands-on science project or activity related to the scientist's area of study, a link to a relevant science career profile, and a link to a biography to help students learn more about individual scientists.
Article: 8 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders whose innovations have changed your life (really!) | (ted.com) Stories of life changing inventions like the N95 respirator mask, HIV medications, and USB technologies that are all contributions of the AAPI community of STEM specialists.
Room to Read STEAM Powered Careers Collection: This collection features 10 STEM-themed books and lesson plans for youth grades 1-3, all available for free download in English and Spanish. The books feature diverse characters (and their animal friends) exploring various STEM fields, such as data science, marine biology, and nanotechnology, written by diverse scientists. Each book also features a real-life scientist and includes information about careers in the field of focus.
Incorporating the Stories of Women, People of Color, and LGBTQ+ Scientists Into the Physics Classroom: One way to increase accessibility to and participation in STEM is to point out the contributions of women and people of color throughout history. By focusing on diverse role models—which has been shown to reduce stereotype threat for students of these groups as well as implicit bias for all students—while also calling attention to ongoing diversity issues in STEM today, teachers can challenge conventional and outdated assumptions about a STEM stereotype.

Continuous STEM Learning Pathways

Research tells us that continuous engagement and exposure rather than limited one-time opportunities are needed to nurture the interest and motivation necessary for children to pursue STEM pathways long term. The Moonshot aims to understand and support transitions and handoffs that remove barriers for youth by connecting STEM learning across ages and settings, ensuring youth interest and motivation persists.

Possible Futures — Career Exploration Curriculum: Open source curriculum that complements and enriches both school and afterschool settings 1) expanding career awareness through authentic experiential learning opportunities; 2) encouraging students to explore their diverse interests, talents, and options; 3) enlivening STEM subjects by bringing in real-world and career contexts; 4) empowering students to develop vital employability skills; and 5) engaging students in making informed choices.

Below are some adaptations of the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum specifically for afterschool and summer programs:

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

Activity (engineering): How Does a Wind Meter Work? | Science Project (sciencebuddies.org) On a windy day it is hard to keep your hat on! The power of the wind can even be strong enough to power large wind turbines to make electricity! In this experiment, find out how you can make your own instrument to measure the speed and power of the wind. How does it work?

Activity (engineering): Tallest Paper Tower Challenge | Science Project (sciencebuddies.org) In this engineering challenge, you will use limited materials to build a paper tower as tall as possible, but there's a twist! Your tower must also support a heavy weight at the top without collapsing. Looking for inspiration? You can see how other students have tackled this and other annual Science Buddies Engineering Challenges.

Activity (engineering): How to Build a Toilet Paper Roll Balloon Car - Left Brain Craft Brain This project is a perfect opportunity to learn about simple machines: the building blocks of all things that move. The activity uses easy to find materials and can be done in class and easily repeated at home.

Activity(engineering): Turn Milk into Plastic | STEM Activity (sciencebuddies.org) Until about 1945, milk was commonly used to make many different plastic ornaments, including buttons, decorative buckles, beads and other jewelry, and many other items. Milk plastic (usually called casein plastic) was even used to make jewelry for Queen Mary of England! In this activity students will make their own casein plastic out of hot milk and vinegar.

Activity (math): Devising an Algorithm for Solving Rubik's Cube | Science Project (sciencebuddies.org) This activity shows youth three sets of move sequences that accomplish specific rearrangements of the cube. Is there a way to solve the cube using only these three move sequences?

Activity (Computer science): Can Humans Recognize ChatGPT's AI-Generated Text? | Science Project (sciencebuddies.org) AI (artificial intelligence)-generated text is a hot topic for many reasons. Computers can now generate convincing paragraphs or even pages of text that look like they were written by a human. How do you know if a news article you are reading was written by a human or an AI? How does a teacher know if a student's essay was written by an AI? How do you know this text was not written by an AI? In this science project, you will conduct an experiment to see if volunteers can correctly identify whether different passages of text were written by a human or AI.

April 2024

Special Opportunities

Solar Science with Lockheed Martin

Are you ready for the 2024 Solar Eclipse that will be visible across the U.S. on April 8, 2024? Connect with NASA to engage students and families:

Find local viewing events using this listing or creating your own opportunity.
Use NASA Resources, Videos, Lessons and Materials with students.

Ensure Safe viewing

Everyone MUST wear solar eclipse glasses or use an alternate viewing method to look at any eclipse. Read more about eye safety during an annular eclipse on our web page and on this safety flier.

Planning to watch the April 8th Solar Eclipse? Before the midday event happens, learn more about solar science directly from a Solar Researcher working at leading global security and aerospace company, Lockheed Martin.

Prepare for the Solar Eclipse on April 8th at 9:00 AM PT and learn invaluable information about the incredible Solar Eclipse with Lockheed Martin. Register here.

Genomics Career Awareness - DNA Day April 25th

Celebrate DNA Day (April 25th) throughout April by peaking student interest in careers in genomics with Illumina. Looking for an activity to celebrate? Get your supply list, demo videos and instructions at dnaday.org/diy-dna-extraction/

Share your celebrations on social media using the hashtag #Genomics4All for a chance to win prizes!

Find more free resources at www.dnaday.org

Project Brainy

Learn more and apply here.

Professional Development

WEBINARS

ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
Tuesdays: 4/16, 4/30, and 5/14/2024 11:00 am- 1:00 pm EST / 8:00 - 10:00 am PST

ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice (For OST professionals who have completed Asking Purposeful Questions)
Thursdays: 4/11, 4/25, 5/9/24 11am - 1pm EST / 8am - 10am PST

How often do youth in your program get to choose what they’re investigating or designing, the materials they might use and/or how they engage with the work? In this module, participants try out strategies for elevating youth voice and choice and apply the ideas as they redesign a STEM activity to incorporate a greater variety of youth input. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend.

ACRES Coaching: Facilitating Engineering Practices (For OST professionals who have completed Asking Purposeful Questions)
Wednesdays: 4/10, 4/24, 5/8/2024 1pm - 3pm EST /10am - 12pm PST

*The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. REGISTER HERE Code: AC329EP (Coach Emma C)

A Conversation with Christine Cunningham about YES
Tuesday April 2nd, 2024 Noon-1:00 pm ET; 9:00 am-10:00 am PST

Youth Engineering Solutions is building the next generation of problem solvers and engineers by creating resources that engage all students in authentic engineering challenges connected to their lives and communities. Join this webinar and learn about resources from YES that are designed for elementary classrooms, middle school classrooms, and afterschool programs. This virtual workshop will prepare you to create authentic engineering experiences that motivate and engage youth in developing an engineering mindset. You’ll learn more about equity-oriented engineering learning and this can transform out-of-school time learning.

Click2Engineering’s Including All Learners in Engineering
Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 Noon-1:00 pm ET; 9:00 am-10:00 am PST

In a highly competitive world, how do we create program
spaces that help young people feel like engineering is a
discipline in which they can succeed and thrive? Join this
virtual workshop to develop strategies for creating engineering
experiences that are engaging for all youth. Dive into what
makes an engineering activity open and inclusive. Experience
hands-on engineering and come away with ideas you
can put into practice.

Transformative Practices

Equity and Inclusion

Access to STEM Framework: To improve the overall quality of out-of-school STEM programs, we need to address how program providers design and implement programming to increase access in STEM for youth who have been underrepresented in the STEM fields. Partnering with the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) and national experts, we have developed an Access to STEM Framework — a guide for supporting program providers in this transformation. Download the Framework.
Elevating Youth Voice in STEM Programming Webinar: One way to ensure your program is youth-centric is to elevate youth voice and empower youth to take charge of their own STEM experiences. In this webinar recording, presenters share their knowledge and first-hand experiences promoting or using their voices and developing leadership skills to support and promote STEM learning in their communities.
Cultural Competence in Afterschool Programs: A chapter on how programs address the increasing and cultural diversity in the United States. Program leaders need to consider how to adapt their program to make it culturally relevant to the youth and families they serve. This chapter explores the meaning of cultural relevance, how to design cultural competence afterschool programs, and how to tailor cultural competence to meet local needs.

Engineering Mindsets

Video and articles: Greta Thunberg on how to tackle climate anxiety | The One Show - BBC (youtube.com) Greta Thunberg, the environmental activist who has been making headlines around the globe, is a 21-year-old Swedish girl. Greta Thunberg - Speech, Quotes & Activism (biography.com) She is a climate activist who has received worldwide recognition for her efforts to fight climate change. She has been nominated for the Nobel Prize. Other remarkable environmentalists can be found here: Top 18 Famous Environmental Scientists You Should Know 2024 (scijournal.org)
Video: TEDxTC - Winona LaDuke - Seeds of Our Ancestors, Seeds of Life (youtube.com) Winona LaDuke is an Ojibwe conservationist who gives a cultural and scientific contest to why environmental conservation is so important.
Article: How To Become an Environmental Scientist: A Step-By-Step Guide – Forbes Advisor This guide for older youth offers a step-by-step pathway to a career in environmental science. Explore details on an environmental scientist job description, available degrees and concentrations in the field, salary data and job outlook projections.
Video: video about barbara mcclintock - Yahoo Search Results Video Search Results Barbara McClintock was a scientist and cytogeneticist who received the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. She earned her Ph.D. in botany from Cornell University and began her lifelong work in the development of maize cytogenetics. She eventually gained recognition as among the best in the field and was honored with several prestigious awards.
The Importance of Mentoring to Increase Diversity in STEM: This is a personal recounting by Dr. Leslie McCollum on her experiences as she reached her PhD in physics. She highlights a sense of belonging as a key factor.
The Key To Diversity And Inclusion Is Mentorship: Mentoring increases the diversity of participants and increases their engagement. Recent research also shows that mentoring has benefits for the mentor and was identified in by mentors one study as an important aspect of their careers.
SciGirls Family Guide for Engaging Girls in STEM: The guide is designed to spark a curiosity for STEM in girls through activities that promote knowledge and discovery. This guide shares strategies and tips to support families in their encouragement of girls to pursue STEM.

STEM Pathways and Transitions

Possible Futures — Career Exploration Curriculum: Open source curriculum that complements and enriches both school and afterschool settings 1) expanding career awareness through authentic experiential learning opportunities; 2) encouraging students to explore their diverse interests, talents, and options; 3) enlivening STEM subjects by bringing in real-world and career contexts; 4) empowering students to develop vital employability skills; and 5) engaging students in making informed choices.

Below are some adaptations of the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum specifically for afterschool and summer programs:

Career Foundations Adaptation: A collection of 14 lessons, a streamlined combination of the Lenses on the Future and Skills for Success units of Possible Futures curriculum.
College and Career Readiness Toolkit: Maryland Out of School Time (MOST) embedded the Career Foundations Unit of Possible Futures into this toolkit that serves as a guide for OST providers.

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

Video: dna activities for kids - Yahoo Search Results Video Search Results This video designed for kids is a fun/exciting way to introduce DNA to children. In this video kids will learn facts all about DNA, what it is made of, chromosomes, traits and much more. There are additional DNA teaching resources, including a free lesson plan found here.

Student Activity: PLT_GreenJobs_MonitoringForestHealth.pdf Through a variety of health indicators, learners assess the health of a forested area and see how soil scientists, wildlife biologists, arborists, and other forest professionals monitor forests. This activity supports STEM identity by relati through role model and career connections.

Student Activity: How To Make Seed Bombs - Little Bins for Little Hands Kick off your spring science with a fun Earth Day activity and make seed bombs with your kids! Super easy and fun to make, help youth connect to their impact on the environment start a new tradition to celebrate Earth Day and learn how to make seed bombs or seed balls. This website also features other STEM activities for kids in environmental education.

Student Activity: Do-It-Yourself DNA | STEM Activity (sciencebuddies.org) In this activity, you will make your own DNA extraction kit from household chemicals and use it to extract DNA from strawberries.

Student Activity: Investigate Alien Genetics | Lesson Plan (sciencebuddies.org) Students model how traits are passed on from parents to their offspring by creating baby aliens based on the alien parents' traits. As students compare the physical features of their alien families, they will be able to make the connection between an organism's genotype and phenotype. Students will also learn the difference between dominant and recessive traits.

Student Activity: Extracting Onion DNA | Science Project (sciencebuddies.org)In this project, you'll learn how to isolate DNA from onion cells, separating it from other cellular components in a manner that still preserves its structure and sequence. In the end, you'll have enough DNA to see with the unaided eye, and you'll be able to spool it to demonstrate its strand-like structure.

March 2024

Special Opportunities

Explore Genomics with DNA Extraction Experiments

Share your celebrations on social media using the hashtag #Genomics4All for a chance to win prizes!

Find more free resources at www.dnaday.org

Project Brainy

Project Brainy is a six-session neuroscience-based curriculum designed for out of school time (OST) programs. The curriculum enables middle-school students to build social-emotional skills, engage in interactive STEM learning and increase literacy. Summer and fall 2024 OST programs are invited to apply to participate in a research project to study the implementation of the curriculum. Selected programs will receive training and ongoing support on the curriculum and a $1,500 participation stipend. Learn more and apply here.

Professional Development

WEBINARS

ACRES Coaching: Make Math Engaging
Wednesdays: 3/6, 3/20, and 4/3/2024 2:00 - 4:00 pm EST / 11:00 - 1:00 pm PST

Are you looking for fun ways to help youth build number sense and problem-solving skills? Math can take on new meaning when it is integrated into daily routines in our afterschool programs. In this module, afterschool educators will explore and practice strategies for making math engaging and accessible. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. Completion of the Asking Purposeful Questions module is a prerequisite for this module. REGISTER HERE Code: AC361MP (Coach Hannah L)

Info Session about Micro-credentials and Digital Badging
Wednesday, March 6th 6:00 - 7:00pm EST / 3:00 - 4:00pm PST

ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM) is excited to offer additional Information Sessions about STEM micro-credentials, which are competency-based, digital badges for afterschool and out-of-school professionals offered through the National Afterschool Association. These sessions are free, live, interactive, and one hour in length. You will learn about what Micro-credentials are and how to apply for them. PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM, choose the date that works best for you, and we'll reach out to you with the Zoom link. FMI contact acres@mmsa.org (Note: It isn’t necessary to attend more than one informational session as the content is consistent.)

Transformative Practices

Equity and Inclusion

● Access to STEM Framework: To improve the overall quality of out-of-school STEM programs, we need to address how program providers design and implement programming to increase access in STEM for youth who have been underrepresented in the STEM fields. Partnering with the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) and national experts, we have developed an Access to STEM Framework — a guide for supporting program providers in this transformation. Download the Framework. Dive into the three main components of the Framework below:
○ Increasing Access - Strategies that address barriers to participation and build on the experiences within the community.
○ Youth Centric - Strategies that build on the specific strengths, needs, and challenges of youth.
○ Skill Development - Strategies that are personally relevant to youth and enable them to develop STEM and 21st century skills.

Focusing on Cultural Competency in STEM Education: Research on how to promote educators’ cultural competence to spark and increase diverse students’ interest in science learning. This article provides five strategies, or steps, to become more culturally competent.
SciGirls Strategies: How to Engage Girls in STEM: SciGirls empowers you to create a more gender equitable and culturally responsive learning environment that inspires, engages, and helps girls thrive in STEM. This book outlines our educational approach, rooted in what research has revealed engages girls in STEM. These strategies have also been proven to work with all learners. Everyone benefits from a gender equitable approach to STEM!

Engineering Mindsets

EdWeek Webinar: Close the Gender Gap: Getting Girls Excited about STEM - In this webinar recording, learn from women leaders from Logitech and Girls Who Code as they discuss the importance of early cheerleaders, real-life role models, and women support networks.
Service Learning in STEM: A collection of articles, links, and other resources on why Service Learning is important, resources to support Service Learning, and Service Learning to give STEM learning a real life context.
How can Students’ Everyday Experiences Support Science Learning Through Engineering Design?: Article provides best practices for educators to design and introduce engineering design challenges that are relevant to students' lived experiences. It provides a list of recommended actions to take and how to attend to equity throughout the process.

Role Models and Mentors: Contains an extensive list of places to find a variety of role models, speaker bureaus, and mentoring resources. The site includes FabFems, MentorNet, and Women@NASA.
Which role models are effective for which students?: Four concrete recommendations for ensuring that STEM role models are motivating for students of all backgrounds and demographics—an important step toward diversifying STEM.
How to be an effective STEM role model: Advice to share with potential role models, and staff who are role models, on how to communicate the message in the most effective way.
STEM Family Engagement Planning Tool: A planning tool to support programs in uplifting and empowering all youth and families in STEM.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

These assets featuring IF/THEN® Ambassadors Roselin Rosario-Meléndez, Cosmetic Chemist, and Terry Burns, Technology Investor, can be used in marketing, social media, and conference presentations.

Samantha Porte page, including profile, videos, images, and other assets.
Aisha Lawrey page, including profile, videos, images, and other assets.

STEM Pathways and Transitions

Possible Futures — Career Exploration Curriculum: Open source curriculum that complements and enriches both school and afterschool settings 1) expanding career awareness through authentic experiential learning opportunities; 2) encouraging students to explore their diverse interests, talents, and options; 3) enlivening STEM subjects by bringing in real-world and career contexts; 4) empowering students to develop vital employability skills; and 5) engaging students in making informed choices.

Below are some adaptations of the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum specifically for afterschool and summer programs:

Communicating & Collaborating: Twelve lessons that combine lessons from the Communication and Collaboration units from the Skills for Success module from the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum
Career Exploration Activities: Designed specifically for Out-of-School Time (OST) providers looking for engaging hands-on and collaborative activities:
- Health Sciences (6 activities + career posters)
- Information Technology (4 activities)
- Lenses on the Future - Self (7 activities)

● The Connected Learning Research Network: Reflections on a Decade of Engaged Scholarship: This report from the Connected Learning Research Network (CLRN) presents a vision for understanding and revitalizing the ways in which we support learning during these changing times. This report synthesizes a varied set of content and perspectives: empirical research on the changing landscape of new media and learning, design principles, evaluation approaches, learner and case studies oriented to identifying and spreading positive innovations.
● Toolkit: Brokering Youth Pathways: A Toolkit for Connecting Youth to Future Opportunities: A Hive Research Lab toolkit to explore the various ways in which out-of-school educators and professionals have approached the challenge of brokering - supporting the identity development, social capital building and long-term, interest-driven learning across settings actively connecting program participants to new learning opportunities.

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

Mathematics & Probability Science Activity: Asked to get an estimate for the famed mathematical constant, Pi, you might do what the ancient Greeks did: Divide the circumference of a circle by its diameter. Or you can estimate Pi by a less conventional method: the random tossing of toothpicks!
Cutting Pi: Mathematics & Measurement Science Activity: Cutting string diameters from a string circumference is a physical (kinesthetic) way to divide the circumference of a circle by its diameter. No matter what circle you use, you’ll be able to cut three complete diameters and have a small piece of string left over.
Build a Bird Nest: Different types of birds lay their eggs in different places. Some build tiny nests in bushes, some build enormous nests in tall trees. Some lay their eggs directly on the ground or on rocky ledges. Those that build nests use many different types of materials. In this project kids try to build their own bird nest using only natural materials that you can find outside. Birds are engineers too!
Explore Biodiversity Using a Homemade Bug Vacuum!: Kids use engineering skills to support the role of a wildlife biologist. Kids create a bubble vacuum to collect and examine the biodiversity of bugs and other small invertebrates (such as spiders, centipedes, and roly-polies) in their neighborhood using a homemade bug vacuum!
M&M Survival Challenge: Test how mimicry works by using M&M and Skittles candies as the prey. Hunt for the M&M animals but at the same time avoid the poisonous Skittles animals. Will the camouflaged M&M's have a better chance of survival? Learn about animal survival in a fun context.

February 2024

Special Opportunities

Tech Talk Tuesday

Join STEM Professionals - from analysts to business transformation managers - on February 27th from 6:00 - 7:00 pm ET for a conversation about STEM careers. Programs, classrooms, and students can tune into a live conversation with professionals working globally at Verizon. Register here.

*It is highly recommended that students have their own device OR are paired 2-4 students per device. This will help with live Q&A

Uplift Careers in Genomics with Free DNA Kits and Live Career Chats

Celebrate DNA Day (April 25th) throughout April by peaking student interest in careers in genomics with Illumina. Find free resources at www.dnaday.org

On Feb. 13th, your organization can get access to free strawberry DNA extraction kits here.

Professional Development

WEBINARS

Click2Engineering: Asking Purposeful Questions Coaching
2/1; 2/15; 3/7 from 12:00 - 2:00pm EST / 9:00 - 11:00am PST

Click2Engineering is offering an ACRES
(Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM)
training on Asking Purposeful Questions in February and
March 2024. ACRES supports educators who engage
youth in STEM learning experiences. This training is fully
virtual and FREE with the goal of moving the needle
on your skills to facilitate quality STEM experiences
regardless of the age of youth you serve.
We keep things casual but ask you to engage in your
learning - this is NOT a series of passive webinars but
a three-step interactive professional learning series to build your skills, network, and apply your learning in an immediate way to your work environment. Space is limited. Register here.

Click2ComputerScience: Building Strong Teen Leaders
February 14th 12:00 - 1:30pm EST / 9:00 - 10:30am PST

Prepare yourself to support the growth and development of young staff members and teen volunteers. This workshop will provide resources, strategies, and ideas from the Click2ComputerScience team and an engaging discussion with colleagues. REGISTER HERE

ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
Wednesdays: 2/28, 3/13, 4/3/2024 1:00 - 3:00 pm EST / 10:00 - 12:00 pm PST

Transformative Practices

Equity and Inclusion

The Black Girls Create Project: A Pilot Culturally Responsive Informal STEM Learning Program: The program model encourages (1) the use of social history (i.e., learning about Black women's contributions to STEM), (2) culturally responsive instruction (i.e., anchoring STEM learning within the cultural context of girls’ lives), (3) mentorship from young, diverse scientific role models, and (4) the development of transferable STEM skills through design and digital fabrication.

NGCP Webinar: Choosing Toys to Inspire Young Girls in STEM - Science and engineering toys have a long history of being marketed to boys. Now, toy designers – and the parents and caregivers purchasing toys – are moving toward more equitable options regarding STEM toy offerings and the type of play that young children are encouraged to engage in. In this webinar recording, learn about research, resources, and innovative new toys to support girls' playful learning of the STEM skills they need to reach their full potential.

Engineering Mindsets

Engineering Mindset Overview: An engineering mindset refers to the attitudes and thinking skills associated with engineering — using a systematic engineering design process, considering real-world problems, applying math and science, and working in teams. The Moonshot focuses on 10 engineering practices. An overview of each practice follows and subsequent briefs will explore each one individually.

Engineering Design Process: This resource helps educators understand the design process and how to facilitate engineering activities with youth in their programs. Offers printable posters and resources to display in the classroom.

What is Engineering Design and the Engineering Design Process: One stop shop for Engineering including what is engineering, who are engineers and what they do and the Engineering Design process including videos and posters to help explain the process to youth and where to start.

A Million Miles Away Viewing Guide: NGCP developed an Educational Viewing Guide to accompany the film A Million Miles Away to support families, educators, and youth themselves to explore a range of STEM concepts and ideas related to space while also taking time to reflect on their dreams and future aspirations. The guide includes discussion questions for elementary, middle, and high school audiences, hands-on activities, and resources for families, youth, and educators to continue exploring space-related STEM concepts, projects, and careers.

Role Models Matter and Mentoring Works!: The National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity believes that one of the most effective ways to encourage students to consider nontraditional careers is to introduce them to diverse role models, particularly role models. This webpage serves as a resource for educators seeking STEM role models and mentors for their students.

Women of Color in STEM: The Past, Present, and Future: Learn about women who were ground breakers in STEM, organizations that support women in STEM and are approachable by educators, conferences, and a description of the educational path to STEM.

50 Black Women in STEM You Should Know About: Learn about 50 amazing women who are role models for success in STEM. Photos, biographies, and links to additional information can be found here.

● STEM Family Engagement Planning Tool: A planning tool to support programs in uplifting and empowering all youth and families in STEM.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

These assets featuring IF/THEN® Ambassadors Roselin Rosario-Meléndez, Cosmetic Chemist, and Terry Burns, Technology Investor, can be used in marketing, social media, and conference presentations.

Adriana Bailey page, including profile, videos, images, and other assets.
Bea Mendez-Gandica page, including profile, videos, images, and other assets.

STEM Pathways and Transitions

Possible Futures — Career Exploration Curriculum: Open source curriculum that complements and enriches both school and afterschool settings 1) expanding career awareness through authentic experiential learning opportunities; 2) encouraging students to explore their diverse interests, talents, and options; 3) enlivening STEM subjects by bringing in real-world and career contexts; 4) empowering students to develop vital employability skills; and 5) engaging students in making informed choices.

Below are some adaptations of the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum specifically for afterschool and summer programs:

Career Literacy: Three units that combine the units Skills for Success and Lenses on the Future (from Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum). The units also provide a model for aligning Possible Futures with state Career Literacy Standards and the development of required individual student postsecondary plans.
Growing Myself: Twelve lessons that combine the Self unit from Lenses on the Future and the Growth Mindset unit from Skills for Success from the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum.

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

January 2024

Special Opportunities

STEM Family Partnership & Empowerment Project

The Institute for Resilience in Youth (ISRY) is leading an opportunity for Out-of-school time (OST) programs providing STEM to K-12 youth in Winter/Spring 2024 to study how to effectively partner with parents and caregivers. Selected programs will receive professional development, learning community support and a $2,500 stipend for their contributions.

Programs are encouraged to APPLY HERE by January 10, 2024. Contact Dr. Patty Allen, ISRY’s Director of Research with questions.

NASA

Earthrise - NASA’s Monthly Collection of Earth and Climate Science Resources

Earthrise will leverage NASA’s digital community of practice for educators, and a broad network of learners associated with NASA’s federal partners, to provide K-12 educators and learners with a focused, monthly collection of Earth and climate science resources from across the federal enterprise. Educators are now invited to register for this monthly engagement, with the first monthly collection of resources to be delivered in January and then monthly throughout the remainder of 2024. The primary focus is centered around access to Earth and climate resources for the K-12 community, with a regular working group to inform plans for carrying this through the summer and beyond as well.

This initiative began with intent to move the needle on educating our nation’s children and increasing their understanding of Earth and climate science, and the importance of protecting our home planet. The first issue will be released to educators in January 2024.

2024 Solar Eclipse
Are you ready for the 2024 Solar Eclipse that will be visible across the U.S. on April 8, 2024? Join an informational webinar on January 23, 2024, 12-1pm ET with NASA’s Science Mission Directorate for an update on the plan for the April Eclipse.
Learn about:

● The science behind solar eclipses
● Connections to NASA’s study of the Sun
● How to view eclipses safely, and
● NASA’s latest plan for public and student engagement

Find local viewing events using this listing or create your own opportunity. Use NASA Resources, Videos, Lessons and Materials with students. Ensure Safe viewing - Everyone MUST wear solar eclipse glasses or use an alternate viewing method to look at any eclipse. Read more about eye safety during an annular eclipse on our web page and on this safety flier.

Prepare for Engineering Week 2024 - Welcome to the Future
Discover Engineering is hosting a 2024 Countdown to Engineers Week on January 17 at 12pm ET

The 2024 Engineering Week theme is: Welcome to the Future, which reminds us of the role we can play in engaging students in engineering and creating the next generation of innovators. It also recognizes the vital role engineers play in innovating solutions to problems past, present, and yet to be discovered.

Join the Countdown Webinar

Download Resources

January: National Mentoring Month

Talk Technology with Verizon Employees

January 30th from 6:00 - 7:00 pm ET

Give your students real-world applications of STEM

with a LIVE talk with STEM professionals.

With your students, tune into this live webinar,

to learn more about the day-to-day from professionals

working at a leading global communications technology

company. Students will have an opportunity to ask questions.

Professional Development

WEBINARS

Click2ComputerScience: Preparing Yourself to Lead Computer Science Virtual Workshops
January 10, 12:00 - 1:30pm EST / 9:00 - 10:30am PST

Well-prepared CS learning experiences are relevant,
engaging, and appropriate for youth. Knowing how to
effectively prepare for computer science learning will
support inclusiveness and safety, and help you
maximize youth engagement.

This workshop focuses on selecting and planning
CS experiences for all your program participants.
REGISTER HERE

ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
Tuesdays: 1/16, 1/30, and 2/13/2024 6:00 - 8:00 pm EST / 3:00 - 5:00 pm PST

ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice (For OST professionals who have completed Asking Purposeful Questions)
Wednesdays: 1/17, 1/31, 2/14/2024 11am - 1pm EST / 8am - 10am PST

ACRES Coaching: Facilitating Engineering Practices
Mondays: 1/29, 2/12, 2/26/2024 12pm - 2pm EST / 9am - 11am PST

Engineering has become a staple of STEM programming for youth. How can we confidently bring engineering into our programming and support youth as they engage in problem solving? In this module, participants gain first-hand experience with engineering by solving a design problem. They examine the components of the engineering design process and discuss ways to model the process with youth.
*The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. REGISTER HERE Code: AC326EP (Coach Emma C)

ACRES: Info Session about Micro-credentials and Digital Badging
Tuesday January 16th 1:00 - 2:00pm EST / 10:00 - 11:00am PST

ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM) is excited to offer additional Information Sessions about STEM micro-credentials, which are competency-based, digital badges for afterschool and out-of-school professionals offered through the National Afterschool Association. These sessions are free, live, interactive, and one hour in length. You will learn about what Micro-credentials are and how to apply for them. PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM, choose the date that works best for you, and we'll reach out to you with the Zoom link. FMI contact acres@mmsa.org (Note: It isn’t necessary to attend more than one informational session as the content is consistent.)

Transformative Practices

Equity and Inclusion

● Broadening Participating Toolkit: To help informal STEM education and science communication groups reflect on and strengthen their efforts to broaden participation in STEM, CAISE’s Broadening Participation in STEM Task Force has developed a suite of professional development tools.
● The Genius of Play: Six Ways to Combat STEM Stereotypes through Play - In this Genius of Play Expert Advice article, Dr. Amanda Sullivan, Senior Program Developer at NGCP, explains that play is the perfect place for early educators and caregivers to start combatting STEM stereotypes with young children. This article provides six easy ways educators and caregivers can foster play that breaks STEM stereotypes.

Engineering Mindsets

● Engineering Mindset Overview: An engineering mindset refers to the attitudes and thinking skills associated with engineering — using a systematic engineering design process, considering real-world problems, applying math and science, and working in teams. The Moonshot focuses on 10 engineering practices. An overview of each practice follows and subsequent briefs will explore each one individually.
○ Engineering Practices Part 1 Recorded Training: A Moonshot webinar recording to review the following three of the ten Engineering Practices: 1) Consider real-world problems, 2) Use a systemic problem-solving process, and 3) Explore the properties and uses of materials.
○ Engineering Practices Part 2 Recorded Training: A Moonshot webinar recording to review the following three of the ten Engineering Practices: 1) Balance criteria and constraints, 2) Apply science and math, and 3) Envision multiple solutions.
○ Engineering Practices Part 3 Recording Training: A Moonshot webinar recording to review the following three of the ten Engineering Practices: 1) Evaluate designs and iterate, 2) Persist and learn from failure, 3) Work effectively in teams, and 4) Identify as engineers.
● Service Learning and STEM: This concise two-page document lists connections between Service Learning and STEM. Multiple links to Spotlight on Service-Learning articles are also listed.
● Youth Advisory Board Town Hall: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Society: During this Town Hall, NGCP's Youth Advisory Board and esteemed experts discussed how communities and individuals can equip themselves with knowledge about AI and assess its potential influence on their lives.

● Creating Connections with Role Models: The Power of Collaboration: From Techbridge Girls, in collaboration with The National Girls Collaborative Project, this guide is intended to support leaders with the recruitment and preparation of role models to inspire girls in science, technology, and engineering. This is an outline of Techbridge’s “recipe for success” for role models, while encouraging you to make changes that best fit your needs.
● The Role of Diverse Mentorship in Education Equity - Mentors are uniquely positioned to help increase diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in STEM by serving as role models for individuals that look and identify like them, encouraging a more welcoming environment for continued growth for marginalized communities. Four IEEE members describe their personal experience and the impact that diverse role models made on their STEM careers.
● Role Models Matter Training: Virtual training program developed by Techbridge Girls to help role models develop the skills to best engage girls from marginalized communities.
● STEM Family Engagement Planning Tool: A planning tool to support programs in uplifting and empowering all youth and families in STEM.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

These assets featuring IF/THEN® Ambassadors Roselin Rosario-Meléndez, Cosmetic Chemist, and Terry Burns, Technology Investor, can be used in marketing, social media, and conference presentations.

● Roselin Rosario-Meléndez page, including profile, videos, images, and other assets.
● Terry Burns page, including profile, videos, images, and other assets.

Continuous STEM Learning Pathways
Research tells us that continuous engagement and exposure rather than limited one-time opportunities are needed to nurture the interest and motivation necessary for children to pursue STEM pathways long term. The Moonshot aims to understand and support transitions and handoffs that remove barriers for youth by connecting STEM learning across ages and settings, ensuring youth interest and motivation persists.

● Possible Futures — Career Exploration Curriculum: Open source curriculum that complements and enriches both school and afterschool settings 1) expanding career awareness through authentic experiential learning opportunities; 2) encouraging students to explore their diverse interests, talents, and options; 3) enlivening STEM subjects by bringing in real-world and career contexts; 4) empowering students to develop vital employability skills; and 5) engaging students in making informed choices.

Below are some adaptations of the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum specifically for afterschool and summer programs:

○ Career Foundations Adaptation: A collection of 14 lessons, a streamlined combination of the Lenses on the Future and Skills for Success units of Possible Futures curriculum.
○ College and Career Readiness Toolkit: Maryland Out of School Time (MOST) embedded the Career Foundations Unit of Possible Futures into this toolkit that serves as a guide for OST providers.

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

Can Plants Stop Soil Erosion?: Intermediate level environmental engineering activity lasting 2-4 weeks. Oil erosion can cost the world billions of dollars every year by washing pollutants into our streams and rivers and by causing the loss of farmland. What can you do about this problem? Help save the world (and some money!) with nothing more than a few plants!
Build a Jumping Robot: Intermediate level mechanical engineering activity lasting 2-5 days. Can you build a robot that hops like a frog? In this engineering project, you will learn how to build a simple robot that uses the energy stored in a stretched rubber band to jump. You will use the engineering design process to try to make your robot jump higher and farther. How far can you make it jump?
Gravity: It's What Keeps Us Together: This set of ten easy to understand activities use math to understand gravity on Earth and in space. The activities are kid-centered (for example, what would I weigh on Mars) and use math in an integrated format.
Space Weather Math: These hands-on activities combine an understanding of math with an understanding of weather and climate. Easy to prep, do, and follow up.
Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics: Highly engaging activities for grades 5-8 and 9-12 combine math and engineering to create model planes.

December 2023

Special Opportunities

Computer Science Week

CSEdWeek is December 4-10, 2023, and ‘tis the season to excite your students with computer science activities. Find ready-to-implement activities in the Hour of Code 2023 Kit.

Celebrating Hour of Code? Register your event here. Get tips and resources here!

Hour of Code 2023 Kit

Code.org has provided an Hour of Code 2023 Kit to give facilitators easy to implement activities to last through the end of the year! Find the Kit here and look for opportunities to recognize Native American Heritage Month, #NationalSTEMDay, Computer Science Education week and more!

Find the Hour of Code 2023 Kit Here

Surprisingly STEM is a video series that highlights exciting and unexpected careers at NASA. This series is designed to inform students about the broad range of career opportunities at NASA – outside of the typical associations of rocket scientists and astronauts – and to break down perceived barriers for working at the agency.

Monthly Release of new pre recorded 5 minute career episode
Associated STEAM Activities
Monthly Live Session with NASA expert to answer Student Questions

December 2023 - Marine Biologists

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is known for its launch pads, rocket launches and cutting-edge technology -- it’s also a national wildlife refuge! NASA has a team of biologists whose mission is to protect and preserve threatened and endangered species living near launch sites. Biologists Eric Reyier, PhD, and Bonnie Ahr share how their ecological work contributes to the agency’s larger mission and how they personally ended up on a boat in the Florida wetlands doing exciting work for NASA.

View the Episode, Explore the Activity, Register for the live Q&A on December 6 at 5pm ET

2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipse

Are you ready for the 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses that will be visible across the US on October 14, 2023, and April 8, 2024? Connect with NASA to engage students and families:

Find local viewing events using this listing or creating your own opportunity.
Use NASA Resources, Videos, Lessons and Materials with students.

Ensure Safe viewing

Everyone MUST wear solar eclipse glasses or use an alternate viewing method to look at any eclipse. Read more about eye safety during an annular eclipse on our web page and on this safety flier.

Professional Development

WEBINARS

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum Training

Tuesday: December 12th at 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

December 12th 1:00-2:00pm EST

MusicMath: Orchestration
Use fractions to create musical compositions, then
perform the compositions using found instruments
(pans, boxes, pencils, whistles). Create new combinations
and permutations for the music fractions.

Note: Each webinar will include strategies to support a positive
Math Identity (e.g., role models, career connections, family connections, literacy connections).

Previous Training Recordings: April, May, June, July, August, September, and October

Transformative Practices

Equity and Inclusion in Computer Science: DEI Bytes - The Alliance for Identity Inclusive Computing Education’s "DEI Bytes" lesson series on YouTube focuses on developing equitable teaching skills for CS education, including topics on ableism, unconscious bias, and computing access.

Engineering Mindsets/Computer Science: AI 101 for Teachers - This is a free, foundational online learning series for educators interested in AI. The series features lessons from Code.org, ETS, ISTE and Khan Academy to demystify AI, explore responsible implementation, address bias, and showcase how AI-powered learning can revolutionize.
Engineering Mindsets/Computer Science: Teach Computer Science & Coding to Kids - This Google sponsored site supports educators to engage youth in coding activities. It’s free, fun, and no computer science experience is required. The lessons are video based and cover a variety of subjects.
Engineering Mindsets: Free STEM Resources for Girls and Women Who Want to Work in Data Science, Machine Learning and AI - This site lists activities for children, STEM resources especially for girls, math resources, and resources for teens. The resources focus on areas that depend on math and where women are most underrepresented.
Engineering Mindsets Video: NASA’s Women in STEM 2023 - In this video, NASA celebrates Women's History Month 2023 by launching a new campaign to mobilize women at NASA to participate in student-centered activities as STEM mentors and role models. A transcript of the video Is available to connect to other resources.
Role Models Assets From the IF/THEN® COLLECTION: These assets featuring IF/THEN® Ambassadors, Neha Murad, Computational Biologist and Jennifer Stimpson Educator, Innovator and Scientist, can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and conference presentations.
NGCP Webinar: Meet STEM Picture Book Author and Founder of Let’s Engineer! Sheryl Haft - This webinar is an exciting meet-and-greet event with Sheryl Haft, Founder of Let’s Engineer! and the author of the new book Mazie’s Amazing Machines. The book features dynamic illustrations, a fun fold-out spread, and even a QR code to meet Mazie in augmented reality 3-D that is sure to inspire budding engineers and creative out-of-the-box thinking. Join the event live (09/28/2023) or watch the recording to learn about activities and discussion prompts to inspire girls and all young children in engineering!

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

Code.org's Free CS curriculum - Free, flexible, and fun curriculum for every grade level (elementary, middle, and high school), includes lesson plans, videos, slides, assessments, and programming tools.
Hour of Code Activities - A collection of one-hour tutorials designed for all ages in over 45 languages. Join millions of students and teachers in over 180 countries starting with an Hour of Code!
What Are the Chances? - This activity includes and introductory video to illustrate the activity. Youth experiment with probability to tell how likely it is that an event will occur. (This means that for certain events you can actually calculate how likely it is that they will happen.) In this activity, youth will do these calculations and then test if your calculations hold true for reality.
Educator Guide: Make a Planetary Exploration Balloon - This activity for grades 3-12 uses math and engineering to design a balloon and gondola system capable of supporting weight. In this design challenge students will then determine the mass needed to cause the balloon to ascend at a given rate, descend at a given rate, and/or maintain a constant altitude over a set period of time.

November 2023

Special Opportunities

Surprisingly STEM Video Series

Monthly Release of new pre recorded 5 minute career episode
Associated STEAM Activities
Monthly Live Session with NASA expert to answer Student Questions

November 2023 - Wind Tunnel Engineers

We’re big fans of Sam Zauber and Frank Quinto – two wind tunnel test engineers at NASA’s Langley Research Center! You’ll be blown away as you learn how NASA uses its 14-foot by 22- foot subsonic wind tunnel. See some of the fascinating things Frank and Sam have tested there and learn what propelled them into their exciting STEM careers.

View the Episode, Explore the Activity, Register for the live Q&A on November 15 at 5pm ET*

December 2023 - Marine Biologists

View the Episode, Explore the Activity, Register for the live Q&A on December 6 at 5pm ET

2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipse

Are you ready for the 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses that will be visible across the US on October 14, 2023, and April 8, 2024? Connect with NASA to engage students and families:

Find local viewing events using this listing or creating your own opportunity.
Use NASA Resources, Videos, Lessons and Materials with students.

Ensure Safe viewing

Everyone MUST wear solar eclipse glasses or use an alternate viewing method to look at any eclipse. Read more about eye safety during an annular eclipse on our web page and on this safety flier.

Professional Development

WEBINARS

ACRES Coaching: Nurturing STEM Identity and Making Career Connections

Mondays: 11/6/2023, 11/20/2023, 12/4/2023 3 - 5pm EST / 11 am - 1pm PST

How do you help youth recognize their role in STEM? How do you help youth learn about STEM careers? Participants experience several easy-to-implement strategies, including a photo-elicitation activity that can help youth form STEM identities, and then learn how to conduct related activities with youth. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. Completion of the Asking Purposeful Questions module is a prerequisite for this module. REGISTER HERE Code: AC323ID

Asking Purposeful Questions

Tuesdays: 11/28/2023, 12/12/2023, 12/19/2023 11:30am - 1:30pm EST / 8:30 - 10:30am PST

Choose the cohort AC344PQ (Coach Becky T)

ACRES Coaching: Make Math Engaging

Mondays: 11/13/2023, 11/27/2023, 12/11/2023 2:00 - 4:00 pm EST / 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PST

Are you looking for fun ways to help youth build number sense and problem-solving skills? Math can take on new meaning when it is integrated into daily routines in our afterschool programs. In this module, afterschool educators will explore and practice strategies for making math engaging and accessible.
*The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. Completion of the Asking Purposeful Questions module is a prerequisite for this module. REGISTER HERE Code: AC343MP

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum Training

Tuesdays: November 28th and December 12th at 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

November 14th 1:00-2:00pm EST

MusicMath: Discovering Music Fractions
Identify and represent parts of fractions using music
and explore combinations and permutations, or ways
of creating variety while still using the same elements.

December 12th 1:00-2:00pm EST

MusicMath: Orchestration
Use fractions to create musical compositions, then
perform the compositions using found instruments
(pans, boxes, pencils, whistles). Create new combinations
and permutations for the music fractions.

Note: Each webinar will include strategies to support a positive
Math Identity (e.g., role models, career connections, family connections, literacy connections).

Previous Training Recordings: April, May, June, July, August, September, and October

Transformative Practices

Equity and Inclusion Podcast: Empowering Change: Women and Girls in STEM - Join host, Nancy Scales-Coddington, Director of Strategic Partnerships for NGCP, for thought-provoking discussions, expert insights, and inspiring stories. We shed light on the challenges faced by women and girls in STEM fields and how we can change that narrative.

Equity and Inclusion Youth Voice: How Two High School Students Are Advocating for Women of Color in STEM - Srinija and Jahnavi have written a book that introduces readers to women of color who became successful in STEM.
Equity and Inclusion: Disrupting Ableism and Advancing STEM: A National Leadership Summit - The National Academies hosted a summit and series of follow-up events that examined how ableism in STEM can keep people with disabilities from engaging and thriving in these fields, and explored how to advance STEM by creating more inclusive environments.
Role Models Assets From the IF/THEN® COLLECTION: These assets featuring IF/THEN® Ambassadors, Neha Murad, Computational Biologist and Jennifer Stimpson Educator, Innovator and Scientist, can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and conference presentations.
Role Models and Volunteers — Recruit STEM Experts as Volunteers
Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today!
The Moonshot helps to connect STEM experts with OST programs! Share your program’s volunteer opportunities for STEM experts to work with your youth today! Register here to find role models and mentors in STEM.
Family Engagement: Creating Pathways for Equity in STEM Through Family Engagement - This research paper describes the history, findings, and recommendations to reach underrepresented youth in STEM. The findings underscore the importance of family involvement and lists recommendations to change behaviors and the STEM pipeline.
Partnerships: NGCP Blog - Empowering Montana's Future: Unleashing the Impact of NGCP State Collaborative - In each state, the National Girls Collaborative Project model creates a network of professionals, researchers, and practitioners, who facilitate collaboration and deliver high-quality, research-based professional development. Learn more in this blog post that highlights the Montana Girls STEM Collaborative!

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

October 2023

Special Opportunities

Lights on Afterschool - October 26, 2023

It’s on! We’re proud to be joining the Afterschool Alliance and thousands of out-of-school time programs in the largest nationwide showcase of afterschool programs during the 24th annual Lights On Afterschool celebration on October 26th!

Afterschool programs provide the fun, safe, and engaging environment that youth need to emerge from the pandemic confident and hopeful. On October 26, we’re helping to shine a light on the important role of afterschool programs in our community - and you can too!

There's still time to sign up and join the celebration - No matter how big or small, all celebrations count! Help make this year the brightest Lights On celebration yet!

#LightsOnAfterschool events are happening all over IOWA - Check out the event database and visit a celebration in your neighborhood - Lights On Afterschool: Find an event (afterschoolalliance.org).

Professional Development

WEBINARS

ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions

Wednesdays: 10/4/2023, 10/18/2023, 11/1/2023 6:00 - 8:00 pm EST / 3:00 - 5:00 pm PST

Questions begin a path toward discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice. This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities.

*The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend.

*The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort.
REGISTER HERE Code: AC321PQ

ACRES Coaching: Nurturing STEM Identity and Making Career Connections
Mondays: 11/6/2023, 11/20/2023, 12/4/2023 3 - 5pm EST / 12 pm - 2pm PST

How do you help youth recognize their role in STEM? How do you help youth learn about STEM careers? Participants experience several easy-to-implement strategies, including a photo-elicitation activity that can help youth form STEM identities, and then learn how to conduct related activities with youth.
*The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. Completion of the Asking Purposeful Questions module is a prerequisite for this module. REGISTER HERE Code: AC323ID

ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions

Tuesdays: 11/28/2023, 12/12/2023, 12/19/2023 11:30am - 1:30pm EST / 8:30 - 10:30am PST)

Questions begin a path toward discovery, imagination,
and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand
and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning
through the questions we ask them? This module is a
great way to train staff on how to facilitate STEM learning.
Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort
as a way to connect with other educators across the
country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice.
This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to
other opportunities.
*The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend.

Choose the cohort AC344PQ (Coach Becky T)

Click2Engineering: Engineering Mindset Fall Community of Practice
Thursdays October 12, and October 26 2:30 - 3:30 EST / 11:30 AM - 12:30PM PST

The Click2Engineering community of practice (CoP) introduces out-of-school time educators to the basics of engineering and leading engineering activities with youth. The CoP is organized around the 10 Practices for an Engineering Mindset, and includes hands-on engineering activities, developing engineering experiences for youth, and learning skills to facilitate engineering practices. The CoP is 4 meetings over 6 weeks.

ACRES Coaching: Make Math Engaging
Mondays: 11/13/2023, 11/27/2023, 12/11/2023 2:00 - 4:00 pm EST / 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PST

*The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. Completion of the Asking Purposeful Questions module is a prerequisite for this module. REGISTER HERE Code: AC343MP

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum Training

Tuesdays: October 17, and November 28, 2023, 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

October 17th 1:00-2:00pm EST

MusicMath: Composing Music (with Math!)
Experiment with repeating patterns and create
new arrangements using similar sounds
in different sequences.

November 14th 1:00-2:00pm EST

MusicMath: Discovering Music Fractions
Identify and represent parts of fractions
using music and explore combinations and
permutations, or ways of creating variety
while still using the same elements.

December 12th 1:00-2:00pm EST

MusicMath: Orchestration
Use fractions to create musical compositions,
then perform the compositions using found
instruments (pans, boxes, pencils, whistles).
Create new combinations and permutations
for the music fractions.

Note: Each webinar will include strategies to support a positive Math Identity (e.g., role models, career connections, family connections, literacy connections).

Previous Training Recordings: April, May, June, July, August, and September

Scientific Adventures for Girls Math Curriculum Training

October 3, 10, and 17th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Harnessing the Magic of Math

Join us for a dynamic three-part virtual training series designed to breathe life into math through games, through meaningful, kid-friendly data analysis, and nature exploration. Our sessions focus on strategies that accommodate multiple grade levels and ability levels, helping you meet each student where they are. Prepare to turn your after-school program into a vibrant and engaging mathematical journey!

Session 1: Let’s Play

October 3rd 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Delve into the world where play meets mathematics. In this session, we'll explore how common game pieces, such as dominoes and dice, can be transformed into effective math teaching and exploration tools. You'll learn strategies for presenting math concepts in a playful, engaging manner, catering to different grade levels and ability levels. We'll discuss how games can enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and cooperative learning among students.

Session 2: Data Detectives

October 10th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

In our second session, we'll focus on strategies to collect and analyze data in fun and meaningful ways. From measuring the bounce of different balls and exploring exponential decay by eating M&M’s, we'll demonstrate how students can become active participants in the world of gathering and interpreting data.

Session 3: Nature’s Numbers: Exploring Shapes & Patterns

October 17th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00 AM PST

In our final session, we will explore the geometric patterns and three-dimensional shapes that exist in the natural world, demonstrating how these can be used to enrich math learning. This session will equip you with strategies to engage all students, from the youngest to the oldest, and from beginner to advanced levels.

About Scientific Adventure for Girls: Scientific Adventures for Girls is a non-profit based in the Bay Area that’s

working to change the face of science by introducing girls in elementary school to hands-on STEM learning and removing systematic barriers.

Exploring Math Through Code

November 9, 2023, 4:00-5:00PM EST / 1:00-3:00PM PST

In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the Python programming language and explore how to use Python to teach simple math concepts and engage students in computational thinking.

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

Looking for activities you can implement in your afterschool program today? Say goodbye to googling or searching on Pinterest. Use the following activities in sequence to support youth in building an engineering mindset.

Build a Pizza Box Solar Oven - Use easily found materials to create an oven where students can cook s’mores. The activity answers the question “What has engineering got to do with me?” in a way that is fun.
Hands-On Math: Fraction Math Trees - This fun hands-on, kinesthetic and visual approach to learning about fractions produces “math art”.
Welcome to Space Math @ NASA - A collection of math videos, books, and activities that are sorted by grade level, science topic, NASA missions, and engineering topics. All activities are based on NASA Mission and projects.
STEM Lessons From Space: Mathematics - A collection of math and engineering activities, videos, and resources with a focus on the International Space Station.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - A collection of fun and easy activities for ages 4-18 that cover a broad spectrum of activities—everything from designing devices to address climate change to coding.
STEM Activities for Families - Family engagement is a key factor in developing a positive STEM identity and success in STEM. These easy to implement, fun hands-on activities can be shared with families. The activities focus on engineering, technology, and math skills and content.

Transformative Practices

Equity and Inclusion Webinar: NGCP Webinar - Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA Resources in Action Webinar - The Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA program, part of NASA’s Universe of Learning, provides resources and experiences that enable youth, families, and lifelong learners to explore fundamental questions in astrophysics, experience how science is done, and discover the universe for themselves. Join NGCP for this exciting webinar on 10/17/2023 to hear directly from this year’s 2023 Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA stipend recipients who are using these free resources and get ideas to implement in your own programs!

Equity and Inclusion Best Practices: Best Practices for Diversity and Inclusion in STEM - The US government sponsored document is a comprehensive analysis of diversity and inclusion in STEM in Federal agencies. The lessons learned and recommendations are applicable to many environments including education in and out of school. It provides a summary of best practices that can be employed in implementing strategies to promote diversity and inclusion in the STEM workforce.
Engineering Mindset and Earth Week 2023: Earth Science Week 2023 - Earth Science Week, celebrated each October, reaches millions of people annually with activities, materials, and information about the geosciences. The theme of Earth Science Week 2023, is "Geoscience Innovating for Earth and People." The event (October 8-14, 2023), will emphasize the many ways that innovations in geosciences are helping communities create healthier and increasingly sustainable lives, while accelerating environmental problem-solving around the world. Find resources and learn more on the official website!
Engineering Mindsets Blog: NGCP Blog - Supporting Space STEM Education: Resources to Spark Curiosity and Inspire STEM Learning - This blog post shares a list of resources put together based on NGCP's experience at the National Space Council's Space STEM Forum along with the ongoing work of NGCP supporting gender equity in STEM.
Role Models and Mentors: 10 Amazing Latina Women In STEM - To celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, Raising Smart Girls has listed 10 Amazing Latina Women In STEM.
Role Models and Mentors Assets From the IF/THEN® Collection: Here are a few examples of role models from the IF/THEN Collection that can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and for conferences presentations. More can be found in the MEDIA ASSET SECTION.
Role Models and Volunteers — Recruit STEM Experts as Volunteers
Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today!
The Moonshot helps to connect STEM experts with OST programs! Share your program’s volunteer opportunities for STEM experts to work with your youth today! Register here to find role models and mentors in STEM.
Family Engagement: Creating Pathways for Equity in STEM Through Family Engagement - This research paper describes the history, findings, and recommendations to reach underrepresented youth in STEM. The findings underscore the importance of family involvement and lists recommendations to change behaviors and the STEM pipeline.
Partnerships: NGCP Blog - Empowering Montana's Future: Unleashing the Impact of NGCP State Collaborative - In each state, the National Girls Collaborative Project model creates a network of professionals, researchers, and practitioners, who facilitate collaboration and deliver high-quality, research-based professional development. Learn more in this blog post that highlights the Montana Girls STEM Collaborative!

September 2023

Special Opportunities

Techbridge Girls Curriculum Program with Training and Kits

Join us at an upcoming Techbridge Girls Information Session to learn more about our program offering for this Fall! Each of our services equips educators with gender- and culturally-responsive teaching tools and full program kitting materials to support youth persistence in STEM and expose girls to BIPOC peers and role models from STEM fields. Participation includes educator training, all materials and a stipend.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE by September 6th!

First Woman Camp Guide and Set of Hands on Activities

As NASA prepares to put the first woman on the Moon in the next few years through the Artemis Missions, join us in an opportunity to imagine the possibilities of future lunar exploration with your upper elementary and middle school students. This set of hands-on activities accompanies NASA’s “First Woman” graphic novel series, which tells the story of Callie Rodriguez, the first woman to explore the Moon. While Callie is a fictional character, the first female astronaut and person of color will soon set foot on the Moon. Intended for uses in afterschool and summer settings, this First Woman Camp Experience Guide will bring the excitement of NASA’s science and technology. Read the fictional story of Callie, the first woman and person of color on the Moon. Download the interactive graphic novel and mobile apps.

Access the Guide and Graphic Novel
Register for Live Professional Development Webinar:
1. September 19th 3:00pm ET
2. October 17 5:00pm ET
Use the Materials with Your Students
Register for a Live Q&A with Scientists and
Engineers working on the Artemis Mission

Surprisingly STEM Video Series

Monthly Release of new prerecorded 5-minute career episode
Associated STEAM Activities
Monthly Live Session with NASA expert to answer Student Questions

October 2023 - Thermal Blanket Technician

You’ll surely get wrapped up in this episode of Surprisingly STEM featuring Paula Cain, a thermal blanket technician at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She covers why things sent into space need to be protected by a thermal blanket and shares how two of her passions – fashion design and Star Trek – were interwoven into an exciting career at NASA!

Click to register for a live Q&A on October 26 at 4pm ET

November 2023 - Wind Tunnel Engineers

Click to register for the live Q&A on November 15 at 5pm ET

December 2023 - Marine Biologists

Click to register for the live Q&A on December 6 at 5pm ET

2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipse

Are you ready for the 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses that will be visible across the US on October 14, 2023, and April 8, 2024. Connect with NASA to engage students and families:

Find local viewing events using this listing or
creating your own opportunity.

Use NASA Resources, Videos, Lessons and Materials
with students.

Ensure Safe viewing

Everyone MUST wear solar eclipse glasses or use an
alternate viewing method to look at any eclipse.
Read more about eye safety during an annular eclipse
on our web page and on this safety flier.

NGCP is looking for girl-serving organizations located along
the path of totality for the 2024 total solar eclipse to participate
in Einstein's Incredible Universe. This new project includes a
citizen science program aiming to capture and broadcast
solar images during the eclipse. ☀️ 🕶️ Organizations that cater
to high school or college girls in select cities are encouraged to apply.
Visit https://ngcproject.org/einsteins-incredible-universe to learn more.
Applications are due by September 20, 2023.

Professional Development

WEBINARS

ACRES Coaching: Facilitating Science Practices

Wednesdays: 09/13/2023, 09/27/2023 10:30 am - 12:30 pm EST/ 7:30 - 9:30 am PST

How can we make sure that our ‘hands-on’ science experiences for youth are also ‘minds on?’ In this module, participants learn how to support youth as they engage in science practices to learn science ideas, including planning and conducting investigations around testable questions. They’ll talk about the similarities and differences between questioning in science versus questioning in engineering contexts.
*The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. Completion of the Asking Purposeful Questions module is a prerequisite for this module. REGISTER HERE Code: AC251VC

ACRES Coaching: Nurturing STEM Identity and Making Career Connections
Wednesdays: 09/20/2023, 10/04/2023, 10/18/2023 11:00 am - 1:00 pm EST/ 8:00 - 10:00 am PST

ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions

Wednesdays: 10/4/2023, 10/18/2023, 11/1/2023 6:00 - 8:00 pm EST / 3:00 - 5:00 pm PST
Questions begin a path toward discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice. This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend.

*The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort.
REGISTER HERE Code: AC321PQ

ACRES Coaching: Make Math Engaging

Mondays: 11/13/2023, 11/27/2023, 12/11/2023 2:00 - 4:00 pm EST / 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PST

*The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and
an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not
available if you are unable to attend. Completion of the
Asking Purposeful Questions module is a prerequisite for this module.
REGISTER HERE Code: AC343MP

ACRES Coaching: Nurturing STEM Identity and Making Career Connections Mondays: 11/6/2023, 11/20/2023, 12/4/2023 3 - 5PM EST / 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PST

You’re a Computational Thinker Wednesday September 20th 12:00-1:00 PM EST / 9:00 - 10:00 AM

Learn what computational thinking means and
reflect on the ways in which you are already a
computational thinker. Learn how you can help
youth develop as computational thinkers and
leave with strategies you put into use right away.

Click2Engineering: Engineering Mindset Fall Community of Practice
Thursdays September 14, September 28, October 12, and October 26 2:30 - 3:30 EST / 11:30 AM - 12:30PM PST

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum Training
Tuesdays: September 19, October 17, and November 28, 2023, 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

September 19th 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

MusicMath: Unexpected Math, Creating Rhythms, and Making Rhythm Patterns
Create musical patterns, then repeat the patterns and think about how to represent the patterns using words, pictures, and symbols.

October 17th 1:00-2:00pm EST

MusicMath: Composing Music (with Math!)
Experiment with repeating patterns and create new arrangements using similar sounds in different sequences.

November 14th 1:00-2:00pm EST

MusicMath: Discovering Music Fractions
Identify and represent parts of fractions using music and explore combinations and permutations, or ways of creating variety while still using the same elements.

December 12th 1:00-2:00pm EST

MusicMath: Orchestration
Use fractions to create musical compositions, then perform the compositions using found instruments (pans, boxes, pencils, whistles). Create new combinations and permutations for the music fractions.

Note: Each webinar will include strategies to support a positive Math Identity (e.g., role models, career connections, family connections, literacy connections).

Previous Training Recordings: April, May, June, July, and August

Scientific Adventures for Girls Math Curriculum Training

October 3, 10, and 17th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Harnessing the Magic of Math

Session 1: Let’s Play

October 3rd 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Session 2: Data Detectives

October 10th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Session 3: Nature’s Numbers: Exploring Shapes & Patterns

October 17th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00 AM PST

About Scientific Adventure for Girls: Scientific Adventures for Girls is a non-profit based in the Bay Area that’s

working to change the face of science by introducing girls in elementary school to hands-on STEM learning and removing systematic barriers.

STEM Flights

STEM Flights is a national nonprofit organization that combines STEM education with a free flight experience for middle and high school students. They pair students with Pilot Mentors in their geographic area to receive a flight experience, learn about aviation and STEM careers, and connect with local aviation enthusiasts. Students complete the STEM Flights application, study online aviation and STEM curriculum, and submit a letter of recommendation before they are matched with a pilot. Student applications are accepted year-round and in all 50 states.

Our mission is to create positive experiences in aviation and inspire America’s youth to pursue STEM and aviation careers. If you know a 6th-12th grade student who is interested in the world of STEM or aviation, encourage them to apply today! To learn more, please visit our website or reach out to stemedu@stemflights.org for additional information.

STUDENTS APPLY HERE! Student Application

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.stemflights.org

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

Build a Pizza Box Solar Oven - Use easily found materials to create an oven where students can cook s’mores. The activity answers the question “What has engineering got to do with me?” in a way that is fun.
Hands-On Math: Fraction Math Trees - This fun hands-on, kinesthetic and visual approach to learning about fractions produces “math art”.
Welcome to Space Math @ NASA - A collection of math videos, books, and activities that are sorted by grade level, science topic, NASA missions, and engineering topics. All activities are based on NASA Mission and projects.
STEM Lessons From Space: Mathematics - A collection of math and engineering activities, videos, and resources with a focus on the International Space Station.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - A collection of fun and easy activities for ages 4-18 that cover a broad spectrum of activities—everything from designing devices to address climate change to coding.

MIZZEN BY MOTT

Supported by the Mott Foundation, Mizzen is available at no cost to afterschool professionals! Download the Mizzen By Mott app to access STEM activities at your finger-touch! You’ll find it in Mizzen here.

Featured Activities & Playlists

Playlist: STEAM Activities for Middle School at Home
Playlist: STEM Activities for K-5th Grade
Balloon Rockets Challenge

RECRUIT STEM EXPERTS AS VOLUNTEERS

Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today!

The Moonshot helps to connect STEM experts with OST programs! Share your program’s volunteer opportunities for STEM experts to work with your youth today! Register here to find role models and mentors in STEM.

Transformative Practices

Equity and Inclusion: NGCP Webinar - Breaking Stereotypes through Children's Books - Children benefit greatly from seeing themselves represented in the stories they read. Children's books have the power to counter stereotypes, challenge gender norms, and open minds to new perspectives and ideas. But it can be challenging for educators and caregivers to find quality children’s books that are diverse and representative, especially when it comes to STEM. This webinar recording features Dr. Dieuwertje “DJ” Kast, Ed.D. from the University of Southern California who will talk about her work diversifying STEAM picture books by collaborating with Room to Read on the STEAM-Powered Careers Book Collection, a 10-book series on a variety of groundbreaking and diverse careers in STEAM. This webinar also features Katherine Locke, author of the picture book What Are Your Words?: A Book About Pronouns. What Are Your Words? is a simple and poignant story about finding yourself and serves as a perfect introduction to gender-inclusive pronouns.

Equity and Inclusion: NGCP Blog - Picture Books to Break Stereotypes in STEM (and Beyond!) - Find a list (with links) to the best STEM picture books for young learners featuring diverse characters and girl-centered stories.

Engineering Mindset: NGCP Blog - Supporting Space STEM Education: Resources to Spark Curiosity and Inspire STEM Learning - This blog post shares a list of resources put together based on NGCP's experience at the National Space Council's Space STEM Forum along with the ongoing work of NGCP supporting gender equity in STEM.

Engineering Mindset and Math: Elementary & Middle School Math Club Ideas And Activities: From Set Up To Running It If you have always wanted to set up a math club but aren’t quite sure how to do it or what kind of math club activities you could use, then this blog should set you on the right path. Packed with math club ideas, tips and tricks from a teacher with over 20 years experience, after reading this post you will be in good shape to start your own club in no time at all.

Role and Models Resource: Hispanic Scientists and Engineers - This site lists the biographies several scientists who are Hispanic with bonus information including career connections and hands-on, minds-on activities for youth

Role Models and Mentor Resource: 10 Amazing Latina Women In STEM - To celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, Raising Smart Girls has listed 10 Amazing Latina Women In STEM.

STEM Handoffs and Transitions: Brokering Youth Pathways: A Toolkit for Connecting Youth to Future Opportunity from the Hive Research Network shares ways in which various out-of-school educators and professionals have approached the challenge of brokering. We provide a framework, practice briefs and reports that focus on a particular issue or challenge and provide concrete examples, as well as illustrate how our partners worked through designing new brokering routines in partnership with our research team.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

These assets feature IF/THEN Ambassador and Spaceflight Engineer, Dana Bolles, and can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and for conferences presentations.

Paula Garcia Todd, Ambassador Profile
Minerva Cordero, Ambassador Profile
Jessica Taaffe, Ambassador Profile

August 2023

Special Opportunities

Techbridge Girls STEM Equity Learning Community- September - December 2023

Techbridge Girls is excited to announce that applications are
being accepted to All out-of-school time (OST) supervisors and
administrators for programs that serve Black, Indigenous, and
Latina girls and gender-expansive youth are encouraged to apply.
Participation in the CoP includes 4-5 sessions and stipends.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE.

Techbridge Girls Curriculum Program with Training and Kits

Information Sessions: August 8th at 3pm ET/ noon PST. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE

Teen Science Cafe Moonshot Fellows

Become a Teen Science Café Fellow! Teen Science Cafes are a free, fun way for teens to engage in lively conversations with STEM experts that explore the advances in science and technology that affect their lives. In these events, teens socialize over teen-friendly food and drink and have a lively conversation with local scientists and engineers about current cutting-edge developments in their fields, all in a relaxed and informal out-of-school setting. Teen Science Cafés are for teens, by teens. Teen Science Cafés are not just for the science geeks; they are for all curious teens. Along the way, teen organizers gain a host of leadership skills. Cafés are typically run about an hour and a half once per month during the school year. A $2,500 stipend is provided to selected participants to support the implementation of Teen Science Cafes. APPLY TO BE A TEEN SCIENCE CAFE MOONSHOT FELLOW HERE

Professional Development

WEBINARS

ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice: Mondays: 08/07/2023, 08/21/2023, 09/11/2023
3:00 - 5:00 pm EST/12:00 - 2:00 pm PST

How often do youth in your program get to choose what they’re investigating or designing, the materials they might use, and/or how they engage with the work? In this module, participants try out strategies for elevating youth voice and choice and apply the ideas as they redesign a STEM activity to incorporate a greater variety of youth input. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. Completion of the Asking Purposeful Questions module is a prerequisite for this module. REGISTER HERE Code: AC251VC

Facilitating Science Practices: Wednesdays: 08/30/2023, 09/13/2023, 09/27/2023 10:30 am - 12:30 pm EST/ 7:30 - 9:30 am PST

Nurturing STEM Identity and Making Career Connections Wednesdays: 09/20/2023, 10/04/2023, 10/18/2023 11:00 am - 1:00 pm EST/ 8:00 - 10:00 am PST

Click2Engineering: Engineering Mindset Fall Community of Practice Thursdays September 14, September 28, October 12, and October 26 2:30 - 3:30 EST / 11:30 AM - 12:30PM PST

You’re a Computational Thinker Wednesday September 20th 12:00-1:00 PM EST / 9:00 - 10:00 AM

Hiring Interns or Teen Leaders for the Summer? Asynchronous Course

Click2ComputerScience’s new course, Teens Learning to Lead, is a great way to help new interns get prepared for working with youth. It is a leadership course for high school and college-aged people designed for participants to complete on their own, or with a team. We recommend that teams who will be teaching together over the summer complete the course together. Participants will need a computer and a journal for reflecting on their learning. The reflection points can be the basis for discussions with a supervisor. mentor or coach that will help participants learn and grow as leaders.

This is a self-directed online learning experience offered at no cost by Click2ComputerScience. The course is divided into four units with a culminating experience that lets participants apply what they have learned.
See Teens Learning to Lead for yourself.

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum Training Tuesdays: August 15, September 19, October 17, and November 28, 2023 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

Note: Each webinar will include strategies to support a positive Math Identity (e.g., role models, career connections, family connections, literacy connections). Previous Training Recordings: April, May, June

Scientific Adventures for Girls Math Curriculum Training

October 3, 10, and 17th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Harnessing the Magic of Math

Session 1: Let’s Play

October 3rd 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Session 2: Data Detectives

October 10th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Session 3: Nature’s Numbers: Exploring Shapes & Patterns

October 17th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00 AM PST

About Scientific Adventure for Girls: Scientific Adventures for Girls is a non-profit based in the Bay Area that’s

working to change the face of science by introducing girls in elementary school to hands-on STEM learning and removing systematic barriers.

Scientific Adventures for Girls Math Curriculum Training
October 3, 10, and 17th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Harnessing the Magic of Math

Session 1: Let’s Play

October 3rd 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Session 2: Data Detectives

October 10th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Session 3: Nature’s Numbers: Exploring Shapes & Patterns

October 17th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

About Scientific Adventure for Girls: Scientific Adventures for Girls is a non-profit based in the Bay Area that’s

working to change the face of science by introducing girls in elementary school to hands-on STEM learning and removing systematic barriers.

STEM Flights

STUDENTS APPLY HERE! Student Application

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.stemflights.org

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

First Woman Camp Experience: Hands-on activities that accompany NASA’s “First Woman” graphic novel series
James Webb Space Telescope STEM Toolkit: Virtual and classroom resources related to the James Webb Space Telescope.
Sun STEM Toolkit: Virtual and classroom resources related to the sun.
Sustainable Aviation STEM Toolkit: Virtual and classroom resources related to aviation.
NASA Coloring Pages: Color and learn about some faraway worlds with these coloring pages.
NASA for Students Grades K-4: Fun activities centered around all things NASA. Games, puzzles, color, and more.
Space Place Art Challenge: Space Place monthly art missions. Draw, color or paint the subject of the month.
Climate Kids: Learn about weather and climate through games, activities, and videos
Build to Launch with LEGO Education and Artemis I: An interactive digital learning adventure that explores the Artemis I mission to the Moon.
Clean Room - Europa Clipper: Watch this live YouTube stream as NASA’s Europa Clipper, is built and tested.
Learn the Phases of the Moon: Assemble a printable Moon Phases Calendar and Calculator.
Night Sky Network: Astronomy clubs bring the wonder of the universe to the public.
NASA Space Voyagers Game: A strategy card game where students explore the solar system.
Mars Scavenger Hunt!: Students participate in a Martian mission by completing the Mars scavenger hunt.

MIZZEN BY MOTT

Supported by the Mott Foundation, Mizzen is available at no cost to afterschool professionals! Download the Mizzen By Mott app to access STEM activities at your finger-touch! You’ll find it in Mizzen here.

Featured Activities & Playlists

Playlist: STEAM Activities for Middle School at Home
Playlist: STEM Activities for K-5th Grade
Balloon Rockets Challenge

RECRUIT STEM EXPERTS AS VOLUNTEERS

Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today!

Transformative Practices

Equity and Inclusion: Build the capacity of program providers using the “Access to STEM” Framework as a guide to your webinars, professional development, community of practices, or one-on-one conversations. The Framework is packed with strategies and tactics to create inclusive programs and activities for all learners.

Equity and Inclusion: Teaching Math to Students with Disabilities can be a rewarding challenge. Many of your students will have struggled with math for several years and will be delighted if math suddenly clicks for them. Here are a few strategies to help you successfully teach this population.

Engineering Mindset: National Aviation Day is August 13th! Use the following resources to highlight the connection between Engineering to aviation, flight, and all the STEM involved:
- Try Engineering Lesson Plan: Take Flight! - This lesson for ages 8-12 explores how flight is possible and how engineers have improved glider designs and materials to improve flight accuracy and distance.
- NASA’s Aerospace-related STEM Resources for K-12 - A collection of aerospace resources including lesson plans and more.
- AeroEducate - AeroEducate is a Teacher’s Toolbox for aviation and STEM activities. Enhance your existing K-12 curriculum with free, standards-compliant, grab-and-go activities.

Engineering Mindset and Math: Elementary & Middle School Math Club Ideas And Activities: From Set Up To Running It If you have always wanted to set up a math club but aren’t quite sure how to do it or what kind of math club activities you could use, then this blog should set you on the right path. Packed with math club ideas, tips and tricks from a teacher with over 20 years experience, after reading this post you will be in good shape to start your own club in no time at all.

Role and Models Resource: Math and Science Mavens highlights some of the most influential women in STEM who have been integral to transforming these ideas into world-changing discoveries and inventions. Check out the seven rock star women from STEM fields, plus classroom activities you can use to help inspire your female students to follow in their footsteps.

Role Models and Mentor Resource: National Mentoring Resource Center is a collection of mentoring resources including handbooks, curricula, manuals, and other resources that practitioners can use to implement and further develop program practices.

STEM Handoffs and Transitions: Brokering Youth Pathways: A Toolkit for Connecting Youth to Future Opportunity from the Hive Research Network shares ways in which various out-of-school educators and professionals have approached the challenge of brokering. We provide a framework, practice briefs and reports that focus on a particular issue or challenge and provide concrete examples, as well as illustrate how our partners worked through designing new brokering routines in partnership with our research team.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

These assets feature IF/THEN Ambassador and Spaceflight Engineer, Dana Bolles, and can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and for conferences presentations.

Jocelyn Bosley, Ambassador Profile
Raychelle Burks, Ambassador Profile
Olivia Castellini, Ambassador Profile

July 2023

Special Opportunities

Techbridge Girls Equity and Inclusion Community of Practice: August 10th, September 14, October 12th, November 9th and December 14th

Techbridge Girls is excited to announce that applications are being accepted to join the Fall 2023 STEM Equity Learning Community. All out-of-school time (OST) supervisors and administrators for programs that serve Black, Indigenous, and Latina girls and gender-expansive youth are encouraged to apply. Participation in the CoP includes 5 sessions and stipends. Attend the information session on July 6th at 1pm ET/ 10am PT. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE.

Techbridge Girls Curriculum Program with Training and Kits

Information Sessions: July 13th at 7pm EST/ 4pm PST and August 8th at 3pm ET/ noon PST. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE

Teen Science Cafe Moonshot Fellows

ACRES Moonshot Virtual STEM Coach
Are you an afterschool leader and looking to build capacity for STEM engagement in your afterschool program? Would you like to train your staff through a live, nationally recognized coaching program? In partnership with the Million Girls Moonshot, the ACRES team is looking for job-secure afterschool program leaders (i.e. Site Directors, Site Coordinators, STEM Specialists, Professional Development and Training staff) who work directly with frontline staff to be trained to become an ACRES Virtual STEM Coach. As an ACRES Virtual STEM Coach, you will build your organization's capacity by training 3 to 6 members of your staff in at least 2 ACRES modules. This is your chance to be part of an educational change on how we train and support educators to facilitate high-quality, engaging STEM that reaches all youth. A $500 stipend is provided for selected participants to attend the training plus $1000 for each of the two cohorts you facilitate. Space is limited. Applications due July 10th

Professional Development

WEBINARS

ACRES Training Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions:
Fridays: 07/07/2023, 07/212023, 08/04/2023 1:00 - 3:00 pm EST/10:00 - 12:00 pm PST

Questions begin a path toward discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration.
How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop
their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way
to train staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators
also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators
across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice.
This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities.
*The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member
of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend.
REGISTER HERE Code: AC250PQ

ACRES Training Cohort: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice: Mondays: 08/07/2023, 08/21/2023, 09/11/2023
3:00 - 5:00 pm EST/12:00 - 2:00 pm PST

ACRES STEM Mico-Credential Workshop:

Thursday, July 20th at 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM EST / 4:30-5:30 PM PST

Wednesday, September 6th at 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST / 9-10 AM PST

Wednesday, November 8th at 8 PM - 9 PM EST / 5-6 PM PST

ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM) is excited to offer workshops about STEM micro-credentials, which are competency-based, digital badges for afterschool and out-of-school professionals offered through the National Afterschool Association. These sessions are free, live, interactive, and one hour in length. REGISTER HERE

Hiring Interns or Teen Leaders for the Summer? Asynchronous Course

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum Training
Tuesdays: July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17,
and November 28, 2023 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

Note: Each webinar will include strategies to support a positive Math Identity (e.g., role models, career connections, family connections, literacy connections).

Previous Training Recordings: April, May, June
REGISTER FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SESSION HERE

PEAR Program Planning Tool Training

Tuesday, August 1st and Thursday August 3rd 2:00-3:30 PM ET/ 11:00 AM-12:30 PM PT

The DoS-PPT is a free resource for facilitators of out-of-school and in-school STEM learning programs. The planning tool provides a brief introduction to each dimension of the DoS framework, sample videos, and examples to guide the use of DoS when preparing activity plans for youth. During this training, participants will:

Develop high-level understanding of the DoS Framework, dimensions of quality
Working with the PPT learn how to plan high quality STEM learning experiences using the DoS Program Planning Tool
Work with the newly revised DoS Program Planning Tool to identify and plan for high-quality program and activity planning practices.

Scientific Adventures for Girls Math Curriculum Training
October 3, 10, and 17th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Harnessing the Magic of Math

Session 1: Let’s Play

October 3rd 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Session 2: Data Detectives

October 10th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Session 3: Nature’s Numbers: Exploring Shapes & Patterns

October 17th 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

About Scientific Adventure for Girls: Scientific Adventures for Girls is a non-profit based in the Bay Area that’s

working to change the face of science by introducing girls in elementary school to hands-on STEM learning and removing systematic barriers.

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

First Woman Camp Experience: Hands-on activities that accompany NASA’s “First Woman” graphic novel series
James Webb Space Telescope STEM Toolkit: Virtual and classroom resources related to the James Webb Space Telescope.
Sun STEM Toolkit: Virtual and classroom resources related to the sun.
Sustainable Aviation STEM Toolkit: Virtual and classroom resources related to aviation.
NASA Coloring Pages: Color and learn about some faraway worlds with these coloring pages.
NASA for Students Grades K-4: Fun activities centered around all things NASA. Games, puzzles, color, and more.
Space Place Art Challenge: Space Place monthly art missions. Draw, color or paint the subject of the month.
Climate Kids: Learn about weather and climate through games, activities, and videos
Build to Launch with LEGO Education and Artemis I: An interactive digital learning adventure that explores the Artemis I mission to the Moon.
Clean Room - Europa Clipper: Watch this live YouTube stream as NASA’s Europa Clipper, is built and tested.
Learn the Phases of the Moon: Assemble a printable Moon Phases Calendar and Calculator.
Night Sky Network: Astronomy clubs bring the wonder of the universe to the public.
NASA Space Voyagers Game: A strategy card game where students explore the solar system.
Mars Scavenger Hunt!: Students participate in a Martian mission by completing the Mars scavenger hunt.

MIZZEN BY MOTT

Are you on the Mizzen by Mott app? Check out the STEM Activities for K-5th in Small Groups playlist, a mix of engineering + science activities! Download the app today: https://app.mizzenapp.org/

Featured Activities & Playlists

Mizzen Playlist: STEM Activities for K-5th Grade in Small Groups - This playlist is a great mix of engineering and science activities that are easy and fun for small groups of students.
Mizzen Playlist: Science Notebooks for 3rd - 12th Grade - Keeping a notebook can help your students think and act like scientists and engineers. Sample these easy-to-implement strategies and lessons to bring science notebooking into your program.
Mizzen Module: S.INQ Up Earth and Space for 6-8th Grade - Earth and Space is an inquiry and exploration-based curriculum that uses hands-on activities focused on the relationships between the earth, the solar system, and human impacts on our global environment.

RECRUIT STEM EXPERTS AS VOLUNTEERS
Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today!

Transformative Practices

Equity and Inclusion Article: Building a Community for Indigenous Mathematicians - Easy to read article on identifying as an indigenous mathematician and how to become part of a community of mathematicians.

Family Engagement Guide: Educator Guide: STEM Activities for Families | NASA/JPL Edu
Easy to implement engaging activities for families (as a follow up to after school activities.)

Role and Models Resource: Career Girls is a comprehensive video-based career exploration tool for girls featuring diverse women STEM role models. It's free to use and contains 16,000 videos, as well as career quizzes and resources.

Role Models and Mentor Resource: National Mentoring Resource Center is a collection of mentoring resources including handbooks, curricula, manuals, and other resources that practitioners can use to implement and further develop program practices.

Role Models and Mentors Training Webinar: NGCP celebrated National Mentoring Month in January by highlighting the importance of mentors in empowering girls and young women to actively pursue STEM education and careers. Learn from a panel of speakers including dynamic professionals in STEM who currently serve as mentors and the female students they are mentoring.

STEM Pathways and Transitions Toolkit: Brokering Youth Pathways: A Toolkit for Connecting Youth to Future Opportunity from the Hive Research Network shares ways in which various out-of-school educators and professionals have approached the challenge of brokering. We provide a framework, practice briefs and reports that focus on a particular issue or challenge and provide concrete examples, as well as illustrate how our partners worked through designing new brokering routines in partnership with our research team.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

These assets feature IF/THEN Ambassador and Spaceflight Engineer, Dana Bolles, and can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and for conferences presentations.

Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil, Ambassador Profile
Kelly Korreck, Ambassador Profile
Sydney Hamilton, Ambassador Profile
Miriam Fuchs, Ambassador Profile

June 2023

Special Opportunities

National Summer Learning Association’s (NSLA) DiscoverSummer.org offers a nation-wide summer learning registry to help families of all socioeconomic backgrounds find local summer programs for their kids.
Powered by InPlay, program providers across the country are invited to add their program details to the DiscoverSummer.org database. Submit your program details here.

This form will permanently close on June 30th, no new submissions will be accepted after that date.

Professional Development

WEBINARS

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Science Practices:
Wednesdays: 05/31/2023, 06/14/2023, 06/28/2023 3:30 pm-5:30 pm EST/ 12:30-2:30 pm PST

How can we make sure that our ‘hands on’ science experiences for youth are also ‘minds on?’ In this module, participants learn how to support youth as they engage in science practices to learn science ideas, including planning and conducting investigations around testable questions. They’ll talk about the similarities and differences between questioning in science versus questioning in engineering contexts. REGISTER HERE Code: AC225SP

ACRES Training Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions:
Fridays: 07/072023, 07/212023, 08/04/2023 1:00 - 3:00 pm EST/10:00 - 12:00 pm PST

Training Cohort: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice: Mondays: 08/07/2023, 08/21/2023, 09/11/2023
3:00 - 5:00 pm EST/12:00 - 2:00 pm PST

The Click2Engineering community of practice (CoP)
introduces out-of-school time educators to the basics
of engineering and leading engineering activities with youth.
The CoP is organized around the 10 Practices for an
Engineering Mindset, and includes hands-on
engineering activities, developing engineering experiences
for youth, and learning skills to facilitate engineering practices.
The CoP is four meetings over 8 weeks. REGISTER HERE

ACRES STEM Mico-Credential Workshop:

Thursday, July 20th at 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM EST / 4:30-5:30 PM PST

Wednesday, September 6th at 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST / 9-10 AM PST

Wednesday, November 8th at 8 PM - 9 PM EST / 5-6 PM PST

Click2Engineering Summer Gathering: Tuesday 6/20/23 2:00-3:00 EST/ 11:00-noon PST

Don’t miss a relaxed opportunity to connect or reconnect with colleagues who are interested in engineering education in out-of-school time programs. You’ll hear from a national leader in engineering education, find out what is coming up with Click2Engineering community of practice and network with colleagues all with a laid-back summer break atmosphere. REGISTER HERE

Hiring Interns or Teen Leaders for the Summer? Asynchronous Course

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum Training
Thursdays: April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15,
September 19, October 17, and November 28, 2023
1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

Previous Training Recordings: April HERE

Note: Each webinar will include strategies to support a positive Math Identity (e.g., role models, career connections, family connections, literacy connections).

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

Celebrating Pride Month in STEM: To celebrate Pride month, we’ve rounded up resources, networks, blogs and more from the Science Council membership.
LGBTQ in STEM: A guide that focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and more (LGBTQ+) people, organizations, and history in the fields of STEM. The guide includes resources, articles, podcasts, and events.
Historical legacy of Juneteenth: Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day and Liberation Day, is an American holiday celebrated annually on June 19. It is the oldest, national commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S. Celebrate with your youth with these resources from the National Museum of African American History.
Activities: Celebrate spring with 26 free science and engineering lessons, projects, and activities for enriching hands-on STEM related to spring weather, flowers, plants, and more!

Looking for EVEN More Activities at NASA?!
Activity Toolkit: Engineering is Elementary's NASA Partnership free units - A suite of free NASA-funded STEM resources for students in grades 3-8. All resources are research-based and classroom-tested. They are designed to support students’ understanding of space, while helping them see themselves as capable problem solvers.

Recruit STEM Experts as Volunteers!

Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today!

Transformative Practices

Website: Three Ways Educators Can Shift the Way They Talk About Science - Blog post with simple suggestions for educators based on research conducted by Amanda Cardarelli at NYU.

Website: International Women in Engineering Day - Organized by Women's Engineering Society, the day (June 23, 2023) is an international awareness campaign to raise women's profile in engineering and focus attention on the career opportunities available to girls in engineering.

Website: Room to Read STEAM Powered Careers Collection - Room to Read’s STEAM-Powered Careers collection presents 10 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-themed books to inspire first through third graders about the wide variety of groundbreaking and exciting STEAM careers that they can start exploring right now. Created in collaboration with scientists, staff and faculty from the University of Southern California (USC), the collection explores topics ranging from polar science to gastroenterology to nanotechnology and more.

Article: Building a Community for Indigenous Mathematicians - Easy to read article on identifying as an indigenous mathematician and how to become part of a community of mathematicians.

Website: June is National Zoo and Aquarium Month - Association of Zoos and Aquariums provides a collection of links including Educator Resources. Many of the websites have educational resources such as videos, wildlife facts, lesson plans, and activities.
Toolkit: Brokering Youth Pathways: A Toolkit for Connecting Youth to Future Opportunity
from the Hive Research Network - This toolkit shares ways in which various out-of-school educators and professionals have approached the challenge of brokering. We provide a framework, practice briefs and reports that focus on a particular issue or challenge and provide concrete examples, as well as illustrate how our partners worked through designing new brokering routines in partnership with our research team.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

These assets feature IF/THEN® Ambassadors Beata Mierzwa, Molecular Biologist and Artist, and Yamilée Toussaint Beach,
Dance Technologist, and can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and conference presentations.

May 2023

Professional Development

WEBINARS

ACRES Training Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions: Wednesdays:

05/03/2023, 05/17/2023, 05/31/2023 12:00 pm-2:00 pm EST/ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Science Practices:
Wednesdays: 05/31/2023, 06/14/2023, 06/28/2023 3:30 pm-5:30 pm EST/ 12:30-2:30 pm PST

Click2Engineering Spring Community of Practice: May 3, and 17 2023 2:30 pm EST/ 11:30 am PST

Click2ComputerScience Virtual Workshop Hacker Series: May 23, 2023, 1:30-3pm EST/ 10:30-noon PST

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum Training
Thursdays: April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15,
September 19, October 17, and November 28, 2023
1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

Note: Each webinar will include strategies to support a positive Math Identity (e.g., role models, career connections, family connections, literacy connections).

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

Environmental Science Playlist
- Activities: A list of dozens of activities on climate change with descriptions, age level, everything you need to know.
- Role Models: List of 13 inspirng examples of young environmentalist making a difference
- Activities: Free hands-on activities for families and educators on environmental advocacy, role models, and environmental friendly strategies.
Environmental Science and Engineering: These 20+ free STEM lessons, projects, and activities have been grouped thematically to highlight environmental science challenges and potential STEM-based solutions: Energy, Ecological Footprint, Water, STEM Solutions
Activities: Celebrate spring with 26 free science and engineering lessons, projects, and activities for enriching hands-on STEM related to spring weather, flowers, plants, and more!

Recruit STEM Experts as Volunteers!

Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today!

Special Opportunities

Applications open for Project EDGE Social-Emotional Curriculum Testers!

Project EDGE (Engagement and Development for Girls through Engineering)
is testing and evaluating an OST curriculum that integrates engineering
activities and social-emotional development for youth with
the goal of developing STEM identity and an Engineering Mindset.
Read about the benefits to educators and youth,
and requirements for participation here.
$1,000 Stipend for program participation.

Applications due May 31, 2023.

Transformative Practices

Website: State of Girls and Women in STEM - This updated NGCP resource presents a high-level summary of the most compelling statistics and research on the state of girls and women in STEM, focused on K-12 Education, Higher Education, and the STEM Workforce. The report highlights the impacts of intersectional inequalities, as Latina, Black, and Indigenous women represent less than 10% of the STEM workforce. A toolkit with graphics of these statistics and research is available to use in social media and presentations.

Webinar Series: NCWIT Webinar Series: Advising for Future-Ready Careers - NCWIT Counselors for Computing in partnership with Department of Defense STEM is hosting a webinar series for educators, parents/caregivers, and students focused on preparing youth for diverse careers in computing. Participants will gain resources and strategies for engaging youth in computer science experiences and topics, such as machine learning. The next webinar entitled “Support and Strengthen Pre-college STEM Programs” is May 11.

Website: Exploring Paleontology to Spark Science Engagement from a Young Age - Learn how to nurture your students’ interest in dinosaurs and increase science engagement beginning in elementary school in this webinar recording. Hear from Dr. Holly Woodward Ballard, an Associate Professor of Anatomy and Paleontology at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, and PK-5th grade teacher Alyssa Barr who shares tips on how to use a book like Lily and Maia to fuel an integrated learning experience. This webinar also featured Audrey O’Connell, co-founder of HSG, who shared the process of developing the Lily and Maia characters and working with the young artist, Grace Hattrup, to ensure scientific accuracy of the paleo elements.

Website: Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces - This series of free engineering design challenges engage youth in emerging technologies through hands-on learning. Inspired by Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, these activities bridge formal science education and the makerspace movement by helping educators and teachers engage with digital and physical technologies within the context of STEAM by asking them to make something new.

Toolkit: Brokering Youth Pathways: A Toolkit for Connecting Youth to Future Opportunity
from the Hive Research Network - This toolkit shares ways in which various out-of-school educators and professionals have approached the challenge of brokering. We provide a framework, practice briefs and reports that focus on a particular issue or challenge and provide concrete examples, as well as illustrate how our partners worked through designing new brokering routines in partnership with our research team.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

April 2023

Professional Development

WEBINARS

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Math Practices Wednesdays: 4/12/2023, 4/26/2023, and 5/10/2023 11:00 AM-1:00 PM EST / 8:00-10:00 am PST

Are you looking for fun ways to help youth build number sense and problem-solving skills? Math can take on new meaning when it is integrated into daily routines in our afterschool programs. In this module, afterschool educators will explore and practice strategies for making math engaging and accessible. Asking Purposeful Questions is a prerequisite to this skill. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. REGISTER HERE Code: AC228PQ

ACRES Training Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions: Wednesdays:

05/03/2023, 05/17/2023, 05/31/2023 12:00 pm-2:00 pm EST/ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST

ACRES Training Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions Mondays: 3/14/2023, 3/28/2023, 4/11/2023 10:00 am-12:00 pm EST/ 7:00-9:00 am PST

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Science Practices: Wednesdays: 05/31/2023, 06/14/2023, 06/28/2023 3:30 pm-5:30 pm EST/ 12:30-2:30 pm PST

PEAR DIMENSIONS OF SUCCESS (DoS) Training & Certification
April 20, 2023 10:00am-4:00pm EST/ 7:00 am-1:00 pm PST
(Registration deadline is April 6th)

Developed by PEAR, the Dimensions of Success (DoS),
is a research-based observation tool that measures
the quality of students’ STEM learning experiences.
The DoS training and certification process involves
a two-day live webinar training, completion of video
calibration exercises, a one-hour live calibration session,
and successful completion of two practice observations
in the field. Certification is provided at no cost Network and program leads affiliated with the Moonshot. REGISTER HERE

Click2Engineering Spring Community of Practice April 5, April 19, May 3, and 17 2023

Click2CS Virtual Workshop: Supporting Productive Failure April 26, 2023 3:00-4:00 pm EST/ 12:00-1:00 pm PST

Knowing how to help youth see how failure can be productive is critical for developing an engineering mindset. Join this virtual workshop to learn how you can create learning experiences that support youth and help them persist through their frustration and learn from failures. By engaging in authentic engineering work, youth develop engineering identities and the mindset to solve problems and change the world. REGISTER HERE

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum Training Thursdays: April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17, and November 28, 2023 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

Note: Each webinar will include strategies to support a positive Math Identity (e.g., role models, career connections, family connections, literacy connections).

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

Activity: Make a Candy DNA Model - Each human has a unique DNA sequence and the DNA in all of us is about 99.9% identical! In this activity, youth use pieces of candy to make a model for a short section of DNA—enough to get a sense of what DNA is like and how it encodes life.
Activity: As a part of Illumina’s The Future is Bright Campaign celebrating DNA Day, Million Girls Moonshot is partnering to provide a number of resources for programs to celebrate DNA day! Featured opportunities include a Virtual Lab Simulation; a Virtual Field trip; and DNA Decoded, ready to go, lessons and activities for educators!
Activity: Investigate Alien Genetics - This activity uses an alien model to demonstrate how genes or physical traits are passed on from parents to their offspring. How similar will alien siblings look? OR Check out Baby Lab and use probability to predict genetic traits.
Activity: Effects of Genetic Engineering - Farmers have been using “genetic engineering” for hundreds (maybe thousands!) of years. They use the seeds of the biggest, tastiest, etc. fruit to plant the next generation of that particular plant. Have a discussion about the advantages.
Activity: Make String from Algae - The seaweed in the ocean (or even eaten as a snack) is inspiring innovators to imagine new materials. Large brown algae, like kelp, contains polymers—long chains of molecules—that are more environmentally friendly than the ones in most plastics. These natural polymers (alginates) could eventually be used to create sustainable everyday objects. Try your hand at using a bit of chemistry to turn biodegradable polymers from algae into custom string!

Recruit STEM Experts as Volunteers!

Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today!

DNA DAY

As a part of Illumina’s The Future is Bright Campaign celebrating DNA Day,
Million Girls Moonshot is partnering to provide a number of resources
for programs to celebrate DNA Day! Featured opportunities include
a Virtual Lab Simulation; a Virtual Field trip; and DNA Decoded,
ready to go, lessons and activities for educators!

Resource Library: 23 and Me Educator Resources - Find a list of picture books on DNA and more information about the 23andMe Education Program, which is designed to support and advanced genetics education. By joining the community, educators and students will receive important updates from the 23andMe Education team about new educational resources, events, programs, and opportunities to engage with 23andMe.

Lesson Plan: Teach Engineering Lesson Plan: DNA - In this lesson for grades 5-7 students work through an example showing how DNA provides the "recipe" for making human body proteins. They see how the pattern of nucleotide bases (adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine) forms the double helix ladder shape of DNA and serves as the code for the steps required to make genes. Students extend their knowledge by conducting the associated activities to learn ways that engineers and scientists are applying their understanding of DNA in our world.

Coding Resources: Boston College Bioengineering Curriculum Resources - CRISPEE is a tangible tool for young children ages 5-8 to explore the metaphor of a coding language for living organisms. Through developmentally appropriate tools and curriculum resources, children can explore concepts from bioengineering and gene editing. Access free resources from the NSF-funded CRISPEE project on this page.

Special Opportunities

Applications open for NASA SPARX Educator Beta Testers!

NASA SPARX (Sparking Participation and Real-world eXperiences in STEM), from NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement’s Next Gen STEM project, utilizes engineering design activities to connect students to STEM in a way only NASA can! SPARX provides educators with a collection of hands-on activities based on national standards, related training resources, and live virtual connections with NASA scientists and engineers to help improve student STEM literacy and identity. We invite educators to apply to beta test these exciting resources during summer 2023! Read about the benefits to educators and youth, and requirements for participation here. $200 Stipend for program participation.

Applications due April 7, 2023

Transformative Practices

Resource Library: Earth Day Education - Browse resources to guide your environmental education lessons and stewardship activities on Earth Day and throughout the year. These resources can be adapted to a variety of ages and settings.

Resource Library: PBS Kids Protecting Our Planet Resources - Earth day games, crafts, printables, and other resources for kids ages 2-5 from PBS Kids.

Toolkit: Math Equity Toolkit - This toolkit layers professional development into “Strides” that educators can take along a path to equitable education. Topics include Dismantling Racism in Mathematics Instruction and Creating Conditions to Thrive.

Professional Development Guide: The National Center for Quality Afterschool - Math in Afterschool - The National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning developed professional development guides for four content areas of the toolkit: literacy, math, technology, and the arts.

Toolkit: Brokering Youth Pathways: A Toolkit for Connecting Youth to Future Opportunity from the Hive Research Network - This toolkit shares ways in which various out-of-school educators and professionals have approached the challenge of brokering. We provide a framework, practice briefs and reports that focus on a particular issue or challenge and provide concrete examples, as well as illustrate how our partners worked through designing new brokering routines in partnership with our research team.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

Ambassador Profile, Yamina Pressler
Ambassador Profile, Adriana Bailey
Ambassador Profile, Amanda Masino
Ambassador Profile, Beata Mierzwa
Ambassador Profile, Kimberley Rain Miner
Ambassador Profile, Harshini Mukundan
Ambassador Profile, Rae Wynn-Grant

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March 2023

Professional Development

WEBINARS

Exploring Engineering as a Career with Jobs for the Future March 13th 11:00-12:15 pm PST / 2:00-3:15 pm EST

Join Jobs for the Future (JFF) as they unpack Possible Futures, a no cost career exploration curriculum for learners in grades 6 through 10, consisting of six units that help learners: develop essential employability skills, explore STEM occupations, and better understand themselves and the world of work. In this webinar, participants will dive into the Engineering unit — a series of twelve lessons that help youth explore the role of engineering professionals as they tackle engineering challenges based on relevant, real-world problems. Participants will leave with everything you need to implement the lessons with youth: digital copy of the 12 lessons, facilitator guide, lesson materials, and youth worksheets. REGISTER HERE.

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Math Practices Wednesdays: 4/12/2023, 4/26/2023, and 5/10/2023 11:00 AM-1:00 PM EST / 8:00-10:00 am PST

Are you looking for fun ways to help youth build number sense and problem-solving skills? Math can take on new meaning when it is integrated into daily routines in our afterschool programs. In this module, afterschool educators will explore and practice strategies for making math engaging and accessible. Asking Purposeful Questions is a prerequisite to this skill. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. REGISTER HERE Code: AC228PQ

ACRES Training Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions Mondays: 3/14/2023, 3/28/2023, 4/11/2023 10:00 am-12:00 pm EST/ 7:00-9:00 am PST

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Engineering Practices Thursdays: 3/16/2023, 3/30/2023, and 4/13/2023 10:00 AM-12:00 PM EST

Engineering has become a staple of STEM programming for youth. How can we confidently bring engineering into our programming and support youth as they engage in problem-solving? In this module, you’ll gain first-hand experience with engineering by solving a design problem. As a participant, you’ll examine the components of the engineering design process and discuss ways to model the process with youth. Asking Purposeful Questions is a prerequisite to this skill. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. REGISTER HERE. Code: AC289EP

PEAR DIMENSIONS OF SUCCESS (DoS) Training & Certification
April 20, 2023 10:00am-4:00pm EST/ 7:00 am-1:00 pm PST
(Registration deadline is April 6th)

Developed by PEAR, the Dimensions of Success (DoS),
is a research-based observation tool that measures
the quality of students’ STEM learning experiences.
The DoS training and certification process involves
a two-day live webinar training, completion of video
calibration exercises, a one-hour live calibration session,
and successful completion of two practice observations
in the field. Certification is provided at no cost Network and
program leads affiliated with the Moonshot. REGISTER HERE

PEAR DIMENSIONS OF SUCCESS (DoS) Recertification March 28, 2023 1:00-2:30 pm EST/ 10:00-11:30 am PST

Please note that observers that have been certified for two or more years need to complete recertification to make sure they are continuing to use the tool reliably. REGISTER HERE

Click2Engineering Spring Community of Practice April 5, April 19, May 3, and 17 2023

Click2CS Virtual Workshop: Supporting Productive Failure April 26, 2023 3:00-4:00 pm EST/ 12:00-1:00 pm PST

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum Training Thursdays: April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17, and November 28, 2023 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

Note: Each webinar will include strategies to support a positive Math Identity (e.g., role models, career connections, family connections, literacy connections).

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

Civil Engineering: Civil Engineers manage, design, develop, create, and maintain projects. design roads, bridges, airports and structures that improve daily life.

Activity: Build the Best Paper Bridge - Bridges come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Use this simple activity to demonstrate civil engineering design.
Role Model Example: Alecia Boler Davis - Mrs. Davis is a civil engineer who is known for her skills in Operations and Engineering. In 2016 she became Executive Vice President of global manufacturing.

Biomedical Engineering: Biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with medical and biological sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software used in healthcare.

Activity: My Mechanical Ear Can Hear! - Worn by young and old, hearing aids are electronic devices that amplify sound at different levels for different pitches. Students are introduced to the types of biomedical devices that engineers have designed to aid people with this physical disability.
Role Model Example: Lisa Goel - Mrs. Goel is a Vice President, Technology Operations & Business Innovations

at Nanobiosym.

Electrical Engineering: Electrical engineering is an engineering discipline concerned with the study, design, and application of equipment, devices, and systems which use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.

Activity: Measure Static Electricity With An Electroscope! - Youth explore how well materials around the house produce static electricity by making a simple, homemade electroscope (an instrument that detects electric charges) and testing it out.
Role Model Example: Carlotta A. Berry, PhD - Dr Berry is an electrical engineer who also works in robotics at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. She specializes in human-robot interaction, human-robot interfaces, robotics education, mobile robotics, diversity in STEM. She is part of the Black in Robotics Speakers Bureau

Recruit STEM Experts as Volunteers!

Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today!

VolunteerMatch attracts more than 1M site visits each month, and is easily one of the best ways to find strong role models for the youth you serve.

The Moonshot has partnered with VolunteerMatch to connect STEM experts with OST programs! Create a free VolunteerMatch account and post volunteer opportunities to work with your youth today! Register here to find role models and mentors in STEM.

Women's History Month

NGCP National Webinar "STEM Stories: Women's Experiences Advocating for Equity" - In this webinar recording, participants will hear from NGCP fellows about their experiences working on diverse projects, including the IF/THEN® Collection, NGCP Annual Survey, and supporting State Collaboratives.

A Mighty Girl "16 Women Scientists You Should Know" - In this blog post, we're sharing the stories of 16 historic female scientists who have blazed new trails in their disciplines. From determining the size of the universe to unlocking the secrets of the genetic code, these women have forever changed the way we see our world.

National Women's History Museum Digital Classroom Resources - Explore classroom-ready resources created by the Museum and through the "For Educators, by Educators" initiative. There are lesson plans, biographies, posters, primary sources, and more. You can search by topic, theme, or resource type. Select "STEM" from the topic menu for STEM-relevant resources.

Not the Science Type Docuseries - Not The Science Type gets to the heart of access and gender inequity in STEM education and STEM fields. This four-part docu-series features four female scientists who are challenging stereotypes and confronting gender, racial, and age discrimination as they rise to prominence.

Special Opportunities

Early Access to Free DNA Kits to Celebrate DNA Day!

Afterschool programs connected with the Moonshot get EARLY ACCESS to Illumina’s DNA kits! Every year, Illumina celebrates DNA Day throughout the month of April. Together with schools, districts and nonprofit partners, they provide educational programs and activities for all grade levels.

Illumina is providing “Moonshot educators” the materials and support to guide meaningful learning experiences for youth to discover the power of genomics. Visit their DNA Day site to receive illumina’s genomics learning materials/DNA Kits and learn more about available resources.

Early Access Code: Million Girls Moonshot

Transformative Practices

Toolkit: Women's History Month | Managing American Spaces (state.gov) Resource Toolkit for Women’s History Month contains lesson plans, discussion guides, posters, social media, and movies about the struggle for women’s equality in the United States, as well as, women’s rights globally.

Toolkit: Math Equity Toolkit - This toolkit layers professional development into “Strides” that educators can take along a path to equitable education. Topics include Dismantling Racism in Mathematics Instruction and Creating Conditions to Thrive.

Professional Development Guide: The National Center for Quality Afterschool - Math in Afterschool - The National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning developed professional development guides for four content areas of the toolkit: literacy, math, technology, and the arts.

Website: Math Communities – Students, parents, and educators coming together to play with math! Math Communities creates a virtual community that provides free access to joyful collaborative activities designed by professional mathematicians and math educators for K-12 students, educators, and families. There are lots of ways to communicate with other folks interested in math.

Toolkit: Brokering Youth Pathways: A Toolkit for Connecting Youth to Future Opportunity from the Hive Research Network - This toolkit shares ways in which various out-of-school educators and professionals have approached the challenge of brokering. We provide a framework, practice briefs and reports that focus on a particular issue or challenge and provide concrete examples, as well as illustrate how our partners worked through designing new brokering routines in partnership with our research team.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

Ambassador Profile, Beata Mierzwa
Ambassador Profile, Yamilée Toussaint Beach

February 2023

Professional Development

WEBINARS

ACRES Training Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions Mondays: 2/13/2023, 2/27/2023 & 3/13/2023 10:00 AM-12:00 PM EST

Questions begin a path towards discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice. This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. REGISTER HERE: Use the code AC227PQ

Click2Engineering Winter Community of Practice February 1st, 15th, March 1st and 15th 4:00-5:30 PM ET

Click2Engineering Virtual Workshop:
Connecting Computational Thinking and the Engineering Mindset
February 21st 11:30 AM-12:30 PM ET

Out-of-school programs have the capacity to encourage youth
to engage in computational thinking and practices that support
an engineering mindset. This virtual workshop explores how the
practices that support computational thinking intersect and support
the practices for developing and engineering mindset,
and how both provide problem-solving strategies that help
prepare youth for their future. REGISTER HERE

Girls in STEM: A (Data-based) Tale of Confidence & Satisfaction
with National Girls Collaborative Project February 21st 9:00-10:30 am PST / 12:00-1:30 pm EST.

What attracts female-identifying students to STEM fields, particularly those that use digital technologies, and what distances them from these fields? Join NGCP in collaboration with Gender Scan on 2/21/23 as we explore what data tells us about the importance of educators, parents, and peers in order to engage, retain, and fulfill women and girls in technology fields, and STEM in general. REGISTER HERE.

ENGAGING GIRLS IN HANDS ON ENGINEERING with Scientific Adventures for Girls February 21st 9:00-10:15 am PST / 12:00-1:15 pm EST

Join Scientific Adventures for Girls (SAfG) in a three part curriculum training series focused on their no cost, open-sourced curriculum aimed to engage and excite more girls in engineering and design.

In this first session, participants will learn strategies to:

Build a high quality afterschool STEM
program specifically for girls in K-6th grades
Plan for inquiry and components of the
engineering design process — hands-on planning,
creating, testing, redesigning, and reflection
Design a youth centered environment
with a strong SEL - STEM component

Participants will leave the series with four engineering design projects and a materials list that they can implement with youth immediately. Participants will also be given access to additional engineering and design projects through SAfG. REGISTER FOR THE FIRST SESSION HERE.

February 28th 9:00-10:15 am PST / 12:00-1:15 pm EST

In this second session, participants will walk through two specific, no cost, hands on Product Design Lessons. In the first lesson, “Light Up Your Art”, students will learn about circuits and use that knowledge to design a piece of light up art or greeting card. In the second lesson, “Your Cookies Have Shipped”, students will gain understanding of product packaging & design and work to create packaging for cookies that will pass three stress tests. They will also learn about constraints during the design process having limited “money” for materials and limited materials supply - incorporating math concepts into the lesson. Participants will leave this session with two specific Product Design Lessons with a materials list that can be implemented immediately with youth. First session recording here. ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION GIVEN AFTER ATTENDING FIRST SESSION.

March 7 9:00-10:15 am PST / 12:00-1:15 pm EST

In this third session, participants will walk through two specific, no cost, on Product Design Lessons. In the first lesson, the “Toy Design Challenge,” students will have to design and prototype a toy that can effectively pass through a “maze” and ring a bell. This lesson will focus on redesign and testing. For the second lesson, “Bionic Hand”, students will be supported by the teacher to understand the basic design of a bionic finger and use that experience to create their own bionic hand that can function during testing at the end of the lesson. Participants will leave this session with two more specific Product Design Lessons with a materials list that can be implemented immediately with youth. First session recording here, second session recording here. ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION GIVEN AFTER ATTENDING FIRST SESSION.

Exploring Engineering as a Career with Jobs for the Future March 13th 11:00-12:15 pm PST / 2:00-3:15 pm ESTT

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Engineering Practices Thursdays: 3/16/2023, 3/30/2023, and 4/13/2023 10:00 AM-12:00 PM EST
Engineering has become a staple of STEM programming for youth.
How can we confidently bring engineering into our programming
and support youth as they engage in problem-solving? In this module,
you’ll gain first-hand experience with engineering by solving a design problem.
As a participant, you’ll examine the components of the engineering
design process and discuss ways to model the process with youth.
Asking Purposeful Questions is a prerequisite to this skill.
*The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. REGISTER HERE.

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

Looking for a sequence of activities you can implement in your afterschool program today? Say goodbye to googling or searching on Pinterest. Use the following activities in sequence to support youth in building an engineering mindset. Note: The following two sets of activities last 5-8 sessions. The first requires hardware and the second does not in case your program does not have access.

Lesson 1-3: Educator Guide: Explore Mars With Scratch | NASA/JPL Edu Grades 3-8, requires hardware, multiple sessions - This activity is divided into multiple sections. The first section is an introduction to setting up a Mars rover game using the Scratch programming language. It can be completed as a stand-alone lesson, or in conjunction with several other sections, depending on student and teacher familiarity with Scratch and block-based programming languages.
Lesson 4-6: Educator Guide: Mars Rover Driver Board Game | NASA/JPL Edu
Grades 3-8 No hardware required, multiple sessions. In this board-game lesson,
students play the roles of a Mars rover, scientist, and engineer to make
exploration decisions and accomplish science goals. Students learn to write
basic command sequences, which lay the groundwork for developing computer
programming skills. Includes a variety of videos and other resources to learn about computing and Mars.

Looking for EVEN More Activities at NASA?! Activity Toolkit: Engineering is Elementary's NASA Partnership free units - A suite of free NASA-funded STEM resources for students in grades 3-8. All resources are research-based and classroom-tested. They are designed to support students’ understanding of space, while helping them see themselves as capable problem solvers.

Recruit STEM Experts as Volunteers!

Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today!

VolunteerMatch attracts more than 1M site visits each month, and is easily one of the best ways to find strong role models for the youth you serve.

Engineering Week

Discover Engineering Downloadable Resources - A Collection of resources for your Engineers Week and Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day events and activities! Download logos, ads, graphics, certificates, bookmarks, and customizable language you can share.
NGCP "10 Ways to Support Girls in STEM in 2023" - A list of 10 simple ways you can support girls in STEM in 2023, along with the necessary resources to help you. Information for addressing stereotypes, introducing role models, exploring coding, and more are included in this helpful NGCP resource that can be used to kickstart your Engineering Week and beyond.
National Science Foundation’s Engineering Classroom Resources - This collection of lessons and web resources curated by the NSF is aimed at classroom teachers, their students, and student's families.
The STEAM Playbook - NGCP partnered with The Genius of Play to bring this collection of play ideas and ready-to-use activities to help spark a child’s interest in these critical subjects. Check out the activities specific to Engineering to help plan your Engineering Week
PBS Kids Engineering Games - Collection of free engineering-focused games from PBS Kids

Special Opportunites

NASA Inspires Futures for Tomorrow’s Youth (NIFTY) Applications due February 18, 2023

Looking to leverage your STEM programs for youth (ages 9-14) by connecting with NASA STEM Role Models?The NIFTY project is seeking 20 partners to provide NASA-themed STEM programs for underrepresented youth ages 9-14 (with a focus on girls and youth of color). Selected partners will receive $5,000, professional development for two staff, space science STEM activities and materials to support running two programs, one July-December 2023 and the other January-June 2025. The NIFTY project is funded by NASA.

Transformative Practices

Professional Development Guide For Staff: The National Center for Quality Afterschool Math in Afterschool - The National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning developed professional development guides for four content areas of the toolkit: literacy, math, technology, and the arts.
Activity Toolkit: Growing Math - Provides ready-to-roll-out lessons and games combining math, agricultural science and Indigenous history and culture that can be easily used in classrooms, via hybrid models or through distance learning. The project will provide resources, curriculum, training and tech support to teachers and students in Grades 3-8 at schools in six states: Arizona, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon and South Dakota. For schools in the region, all participation and resources are supported through USDA funds.

Toolkit: Engaging Families in Mathematics Education - Families are a child’s first educator and this role does not halt on day one of school. Families lay the foundation for future educational success. Researchers have identified four best practices for engaging families effectively in mathematics education.
Educator Guide: STEM Activities for Families - Easy to implement engaging activities for families (as a follow up to after school activities.)
Toolkit: Brokering Youth Pathways: A Toolkit for Connecting Youth to Future Opportunity from the Hive Research Network - This toolkit shares ways in which various out-of-school educators and professionals have approached the challenge of brokering. We provide a framework, practice briefs and reports that focus on a particular issue or challenge and provide concrete examples, as well as illustrate how our partners worked through designing new brokering routines in partnership with our research team.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

These assets feature IF/THEN® Ambassadors like J’Tia Hart, Nuclear Engineer, Catie Cuan, Roboticist (Mechanical Engineer) and many more! These ambassadors and can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and conference presentations. See more media content here.

January 2023

Professional Development

ACRES

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Engineering Practices Dates: 12:00 PM-2:00 PM EST on the following Tuesdays: 1/10/2023, 1/24/2023 & 2/7/2023

ACRES Training Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions Dates: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM EST on the following Mondays: 2/13/2023, 2/27/2023 & 3/13/2023

Click2Computer Science Virtual Workshop: Developing Computational Thinking in Afterschool January 17th 1:30-2:30 PM ET

Computational thinking builds problem-solving strategies
to help youth prepare for their future.
Computational thinking can be a game changer for young people
when they learn problem solving skills with computers.
This virtual workshop focuses on practice strategies for developing a
computationally rich environment in afterschool – with or without
computers – and resources so you can get started right away.

Quality STEM Webinar: Dimensions of Success Program Planning Tool
January 23rd and 25th 10:30 - 12:00 PM PT 1:30 - 3:00 PM ET
(register by January 5, 2023)

The DoS-PPT is a free resource for facilitators of out-of-school and in-school STEM learning programs. The planning tool provides a brief introduction to each dimension of the DoS framework, sample videos,
and examples to guide the use of DoS when preparing activity plans for youth.
During this training, participants will:

Develop high-level understanding of the DoS Framework, dimensions of quality
Working with the PPT learn how to plan high quality STEM learning experiences using the DoS Program Planning Tool
Work with the newly revised DoS Program Planning Tool to identify and plan for high-quality program and activity planning practices.

Click2Engineering Winter Community of Practice February 1st, 15th and March 1st and 15th 4:00-5:30 PM ET

The Click2Engineering community of practice
CoP) introduces out-of-school time educators
to the basics of engineering and leading engineering
activities with youth. The CoP is organized around the
10 Practices for an Engineering Mindset, and includes
hands-on engineering activities, developing engineering
experiences for youth, and learning skills to facilitate
engineering practices. The CoP sessions are as follows:
1) Using a Systematic Engineering Design Process; 2) Work in Teams; 3) Identify as Engineers; 4) Equity.

Click2Engineering Virtual Workshop: Connecting Computational Thinking and the Engineering Mindset
February 21st 11:30 AM-12:30 PM ET

Out-of-school programs have the capacity to encourage youth to engage in
computational thinking and practices that support an engineering mindset.
This virtual workshop explores how the practices that support
computational thinking intersect and support the practices for developing
and engineering mindset, and how both provide problem-solving strategies
that help prepare youth for their future.

No Cost Training on Curriculum

ENGAGING GIRLS IN HANDS ON ENGINEERING with Scientific Adventures for Girls February 21st 9:00-10:15 am PST / 12:00-1:15 pm EST

In this first session, participants will learn strategies to:

Build a high quality afterschool STEM
program specifically for girls in K-6th grades
Plan for inquiry and components of the
engineering design process — hands-on planning,
creating, testing, redesigning, and reflection
Design a youth centered environment
with a strong SEL - STEM component

February 28th 9:00-10:15 am PST / 12:00-1:15 pm EST

March 7 9:00-10:15 am PST / 12:00-1:15 pm EST

Possible Futures Possible Selves: Engineering Module March 13th 11:00-12:15 pm PST / 2:00-3:15 pm EST

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

Lesson 1-3: Educator Guide: Explore Mars With Scratch | NASA/JPL Edu Grades 3-8, requires hardware, multiple sessions - This activity is divided into multiple sections. The first section is an introduction to setting up a Mars rover game using the Scratch programming language. It can be completed as a stand-alone lesson, or in conjunction with several other sections, depending on student and teacher familiarity with Scratch and block-based programming languages.
Lesson 4-6: Educator Guide: Mars Rover Driver Board Game | NASA/JPL Edu
Grades 3-8 No hardware required, multiple sessions. In this board-game lesson,
students play the roles of a Mars rover, scientist, and engineer to make
exploration decisions and accomplish science goals. Students learn to write
basic command sequences, which lay the groundwork for developing computer
programming skills. Includes a variety of videos and other resources to learn about computing and Mars.

Looking for EVEN More Activities at NASA?! Activity Toolkit: Engineering is Elementary's NASA Partnership free units - A suite of free NASA-funded STEM resources for students in grades 3-8. All resources are research-based and classroom-tested. They are designed to support students’ understanding of space, while helping them see themselves as capable problem solvers.

Recruit STEM Experts as Volunteers!

Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today!

VolunteerMatch attracts more than 1M site visits each month, and is easily one of the best ways to find strong role models for the youth you serve.

Supported by the Mott Foundation, Mizzen is available at no cost to afterschool professionals!
You’ll find it in Mizzen here.

Featured Activities & Playlists

Mizzen Activity: Beach Ball Math
Mizzen Playlist: STEM Activities for 9-12th Grades - Students engage in science and engineering activities that contain accessible materials.
Mizzen Playlist: STEM Activities for K-5th Grade in Small Groups - This playlist is a great mix of engineering and science activities that are easy and fun for small groups of kids K-5th.

No Cost Additional Resources

Educator Guide: Educator Guide: STEM Activities for Families | NASA/JPL Edu Easy to implement engaging activities for families (as a follow up to after school activities.)
Resources for Mentoring Month
-Career Girls - A comprehensive video-based career exploration tool for girls featuring diverse women STEM role models. It's free to use and contains 16,000 videos, as well as career quizzes and resources.
-FabFems - A collection of resources for role models, educators, and parents to inspire and educate girls about science, computer science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses and careers. The website includes Resources for Role Models and Resources for Girls.
-National Mentoring Resource Center - A collection of mentoring resources including handbooks, curricula, manuals, and other resources that practitioners can use to implement and further develop program practices.
-Techbridge Role Model Training and Resources - These resources are for adult or near-peer role models to develop skills for engaging girls and historically excluded youth in STEM through guides, videos, and questions.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

These assets feature IF/THEN® Ambassadors Afua Bruce,
Computer Engineer and Allison Fundis, Ocean Explorer, and can
be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and conference presentations.

Ambassador Profile,
Will Computers Take
Over the World?!
Make a Change with Data Activity, Afua Bruce

Ambassador Profile,
On the Job, Bottled Ocean Waves Activity,
Allison Fundis

December 2022

COMPUTER SCIENCE WEEK - HOUR OF CODE

It’s Computer Science Week December 6-12th! The Million Girls Moonshot is excited to partner with Code.org, to expand the Hour of Code into afterschool. During Computer Science Week, tens of thousands of Hour of Code events will happen around the world. Afterschool programs in your state can join this effort by registering as an official event and adding their location to the global map. Access the Hour of Code resources and register here!

Organized by Code.org, the annual Hour of Code campaign is a global movement in 180+ countries that introduces young people to computer science through fun, age-appropriate learning activities. The Moonshot’s partnership with Code.org aims to expand that reach into afterschool.

Learn more about the Hour of Code, download the Afterschool Guide for Hour of Code to explore activities and tutorials, and encourage programs to register as an official Hour of Code site to globally engage and take advantage of the full Hour of Code experience.

Professional Development

ACRES

ACRES Training Cohort: ACRES Taster Workshop Dates: 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM EST on Thursday December 8, 2022

Come together to experience a sampling of ACRES skills. This 1-hour virtual taster session will have you reflecting on when you give youth a voice, and thinking about how you can embed math into your daily routines and will showcase lots of virtual tools. Join this live, free, hands-on, and very engaging session and you'll be sure to leave with lots of strategies to help you facilitate STEM in your afterschool programs. Register: Use the code AC290WS

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Engineering Practices Dates: 12:00 PM-2:00 PM EST on the following Tuesdays: 1/10/2023, 1/24/2023 & 2/7/2023

ACRES Training Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions Dates: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM EST on the following Mondays: 2/13/2023, 2/27/2023 & 3/13/2023

Quality STEM Webinar: Dimensions of Success Program Planning Tool January 23rd and 25th 10:30 - 12:-00 PM PT 1:30 - 3:00 PM ET (register by January 5, 2023)

Develop high-level understanding of the DoS Framework, dimensions of quality
Working with the PPT learn how to plan high quality STEM learning experiences using the DoS Program Planning Tool
Work with the newly revised DoS Program Planning Tool to identify and plan for high-quality program and activity planning practices.

No Cost Training on Curriculum

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum Training

After-School Math PLUS is an evidence-based program that provides

fun, real-world mathematics activities for students in grades 3 through 8.

Each unit emphasizes identity development, careers, role models,

strategies for family involvement and inclusion of students with disabilities.

In this workshop series, will be trained on the implementation and activity

guides designed around four thematic units that engage young people.

The workshop series is best suited for program front-line staff, site leaders, and staff trainers. It is equally appropriate for those with prior math teaching experience and those who are new to it. Sessions will meet on December 13th 9:30-10:45 PST / 12:30-1:45 EST. Register Here

No Cost Activities

Computational Thinking and Coding Activities

Home Activities: Girls Who Code - Code at Home Activities - These activities help girls and youth build computer science skills through interdisciplinary topics with real-world application, each featuring a pioneering woman in technology. Activities include unplugged and online options of varying levels of difficulty.
Home or Program Activities: Hour of Code Activities - A collection of one-hour tutorials designed for all ages in over 45 languages. Join millions of students and teachers in over 180 countries starting with an Hour of Code!
Program Activities: PBS Kids: Teaching Coding Resources - A collection of PBS Kids support videos and a self-paced educator workshop to explore the why, what, and how of creative coding for children ages 5-8.
Program Activities: Common Sense Media's list of Cool Coding Apps and Websites for Kids - This list offers ways to jump-start a coding adventure. It also encourages kids to become creators and not simply consumers of technology. Teaching everything from simple commands to complex programs, Common Sense Media's favorite coding apps and websites come in a range of formats designed for different ages and abilities.

NASA Engineering Playlist

Lesson 1: How Can the Little Moon Hide the Giant Sun? (Engineering Design Process Activity) - This activity targeted for grades 3-8th offers great hands-on exploration of how distance can affect the way we perceive the size of an object. It makes a good introduction to solar eclipse as well as Sun and Moon's sizes and distances from Earth. The idea behind this activity is very simple and the activity itself is easy to do, making it accessible even for young kids.
Lesson 2: Design a Crew Exploration Vehicle (Engineering Design Process Activity) - Using the engineering design process, students will design, build, test and improve a crew exploration vehicle capable of carrying two 2-centimeter-tall "passengers" and floating in water for one minute without leaking.
Lesson 3: Hubble Telescope and Careers (Career Connection) -Hubble careers are as diverse as the people who hold the jobs. Members of the Hubble team, both past and present, have come from small towns and big cities, worked in the military and in factories, knew from a young age what they wanted or slowly discovered their calling. Meet the Hubble scientists and engineers! Great videos and activities on the Hubble site.
Lesson 4: Women @ NASA (Role Models and Mentor Connection) - Meet Rachel Hsiong, an engineer at NASA. She is designing components of the upcoming Artemis mission to put a woman on the moon. She is proud and happy to be part of a larger team that will accomplish this great feat.
Lesson 5: Women @ NASA (Role Models and Mentor Connection) - Meet Annette Moore, an engineer at NASA Meet Annette Moore and hear her inspirational story of success. Watch the video and have a discussion with the students about how they are the same/different from Ms. Moore and how they can use some of her strategies to be successful.

Looking for EVEN More at NASA?! Activity Toolkit: Engineering is Elementary's NASA Partnership free units

A suite of free NASA-funded STEM resources for students in grades 3-8. All resources are research-based and classroom-tested. They are designed to support students’ understanding of space, while helping them see themselves as capable problem solvers.

Recruit STEM Experts as Volunteers!

Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today!

VolunteerMatch attracts more than 1M site visits each month, and is easily one of the best ways to find strong role models for the youth you serve.

Supported by the Mott Foundation, Mizzen is available at no cost to afterschool professionals!
You’ll find it in Mizzen here.

Featured Activities & Playlists

Mizzen Activity: Beach Ball Math
Mizzen Playlist: STEM Activities for 9-12th Grades - Students engage in science and engineering activities that contain accessible materials.
Mizzen Playlist: STEM Activities for K-5th Grade in Small Groups - This playlist is a great mix of engineering and science activities that are easy and fun for small groups of kids K-5th.

No Cost Additional Resources

Website: You For Youth // Computer Science for All — Computer Not Required — This 21CCLC resources covers it all—activities, curricula, fact sheets. There’s information for practitioners, parents, and families. The ready-to-use resources for educators have links to everything including a variety of curricula for k-12 students and recommendations for best practice.
Framework: K-12 Computer Science Framework — The Association for Computing Machinery, Code.org, Computer Science Teachers Association, Cyber Innovation Center, and National Math and Science Initiative have collaborated with states, districts, and the computer science education community to develop conceptual guidelines for computer science education.
Article: ‘I’m not just a mom’: Parents as creators, collaborators, and learners in creative computing by Ricarose Roque - Social support from parents can play an important role in engaging and sustaining young people’s participation in computing. The authors identified many supportive roles for parents, including collaborating with their children on projects, providing resources and finding new opportunities.
Coding Websites: Scratch - The world’s largest coding community for children and free coding language designed for children ages 8+. With a simple visual interface, Scratch easily allows young people to create digital stories, games, and animations.
Coding Websites: ScratchJr - A free application for young children (ages 5-7) to get their first introduction to coding. With ScratchJr, children code their own interactive stories and games. In the process, they learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively on the computer.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

These assets feature IF/THEN® Ambassadors Kim Swennen, Software Engineer and Sarah Wilson, Biomechanical Engineer, and can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and conference presentations.

Ambassador Profile, Long Profile, Activity Sheet: Binary Code Bracelet, Kim Swennen
Ambassador Profile, STEM Journey, Educator Guide, Sarah Wilson

November 2022

Professional Development

ACRES

ACRES Moonshot Virtual STEM Coach

Receive a $500 stipend to attend training plus $1000 for every cohort you coach. Applications due November 23rd — Sign up today!

Are you an afterschool leader and looking to build capacity for STEM engagement in your afterschool program? Would you like to train your staff through a live, nationally recognized coaching program? In partnership with the Million Girls Moonshot, the ACRES team is looking for job-secure afterschool program leaders (i.e. Site Directors, Site Coordinators, STEM Specialists, Professional Development and Training staff) who work directly with frontline staff to be trained to become an ACRES Virtual STEM Coach. As an ACRES Virtual STEM Coach, you will build your organization's capacity by training 3 to 6 members of your staff in at least 2 ACRES modules. This is your chance to be part of an educational change on how we train and support educators to facilitate high quality, engaging STEM that reaches all youth.

ACRES Training Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions

Dates: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST on the following Mondays: 11/07/2022, 11/21/2022, 12/05/2022

Questions begin a path towards discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train new summer staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice. This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Register: Use the code AC224PQ

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Science Practices Dates: 6:30 PM- 8:30 PM EST on the following Tuesdays: 11/8/2022, 11/29/2022, 12/13/2022

How can we make sure that ‘hands on’ science experiences for youth are also ‘minds on?’ In this module, participants learn how to support youth as they engage in the science practices to learn science ideas, including planning and conducting investigations around testable questions. They’ll talk about the similarities and differences of questioning in science versus questioning in engineering contexts. Register: Use the code AC283SP

ACRES Training Cohort: ACRES Taster Workshop Dates: 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM EST on Thursday December 8, 2022

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Engineering Practices Dates: 12:00 PM-2:00 PM EST on the following Tuesdays: 1/10/02023, 1/24/2023 & 2/7/2023

Techbridge Girls Equity Cohort

Research tells us that responsive learning environments can make all the difference in girls’ sustained interest in STEM. To that end, we created the STEM Equity Learning Community intensive training to equip OST program managers and site directors so that more equitable learning spaces are available for girls, especially Black, Indigenous, and Latina girls, across the U.S. Through the STEM Equity Learning Community participants will:

Explore how to use asset-based frameworks and practices to create inclusive OST STEM spaces for all youth.
Experience culturally relevant and gender-responsive strategies that increase STEM belonging and persistence for all youth.
Develop STEM equity action steps for their OST program.

The 2-hour, virtual STEM Equity Learning Community sessions are scheduled from January to May on the second Wednesday of each month at 10am Pacific | 1pm Eastern. Each participant will receive a $1500 stipend to participate. Apply here by December 1st.

Attend an informational webinar November 9th 10 am Pacific | 1pm Eastern. Register here

Quality STEM Webinar: Dimensions of Success Program Planning Tool January 23rd and 25th 10:30 - 12:-00 PM PT1:30 - 3:00 PM ET (register by January 5, 2023)

Develop high-level understanding of the DoS Framework, dimensions of quality
Working with the PPT learn how to plan high quality STEM learning experiences using the DoS Program Planning Tool
Work with the newly revised DoS Program Planning Tool to identify and plan for high-quality program and activity planning practices.

No Cost Training on Curriculum

After-School Math Plus Curriculum Training

November 22 9:30-10:45 PST / 12:30-1:45 EST Register Here Meeting ID: 931 5017 3110

December 13th 9:30-10:45 PST / 12:30-1:45 EST Register Here Meeting ID: 931 5017 3110

Are you a program looking for an engaging math curriculum and resources you can implement in your afterschool program immediately? In this workshop series, participants will be introduced to After-School Math Plus, an evidence-based curriculum to support students in developing a positive math identity by exploring mathematics in everyday experiences. The highly engaging, hands-on curriculum also builds students’ awareness of the importance of math skills for future educational choices and career options. The program engages students in grades 3-8 who are attending out-of-school-time programs.

No Cost Activities

NASA Engineering Playlist

Lesson 1: Build An Airplane (Engineering Design Process Activity) - Build an airplane that has ailerons, elevators and a rudder.
Lesson 2: Build a Satellite (Engineering Design Process Activity) - This lesson provides students with an understanding of satellites, their use and structure, and power systems. In this potentially multi-day activity, students will use the engineering design process to design, build, test and improve a model satellite.
Lesson 3: Women@NASA: Role Models (Role Models and Mentors Connection) Watch a video of one of the women who are engineers and work at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. After watching a video, have the youth write a paragraph about the engineer, one wondering what they have about the engineer, and one question they would ask the engineer.
Lesson 4: Make a Soda Can Engine (Engineering Design Process) - Students will investigate the action-reaction principle (Newton's third law of motion) by creating a water-propelled engine. By observing the device in action and changing certain variables, students will explore the properties of engines and the dynamics behind directionality and thrust.
Lesson 5: Women@NASA: Careers (Role Models and Mentor Connection) - Many people dream of careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Hear about the fascinating careers at NASA. After watching the short video, youth write a paragraph about the career they might want in STEM.

Looking for EVEN More at NASA?! Activity Toolkit: Engineering is Elementary's NASA Partnership free units

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See IT to Be IT: Pathways to Computer Science Careers

Calling all K-12 educators, mentors, corporate employers with community mentoring programs, and aspiring community scientists! In preparation for Computer Science Education Week (#CSEdWeek), please join Million Women Mentors for See IT to Be IT: Pathways to Computer Science Careers, a virtual event on Monday, November 21, 2022, at 2 pm ET/ 11am PT.

During the virtual event, Infosys Foundation USA and Learning Blade® will present meaningful and engaging ways in which K-12 educators and mentors can support girls in pursuing a computer science education and computer science careers. Attendees will receive free educational and career awareness resources produced by Learning Blade and funded by Infosys Foundation USA to be used with K-12 students during CSEdWeek. Register Here

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Recruit STEM Experts as Volunteers!

Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today! VolunteerMatch attracts more than 1M site visits each month, and is easily one of the best ways to find strong role models for the youth you serve.

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Supported by the Mott Foundation, Mizzen is available at no cost to afterschool professionals! Encourage partners to download the Mizzen By Mott app to access STEM activities at your finger-touch! You’ll find it in Mizzen here.

Featured Activities & Playlists

Mizzen Playlist: STEM Activities for K-5th Grade in Small Groups - This playlist is a great mix of engineering and science activities that are easy and fun for small groups of students.
Mizzen Playlist: Science Notebooks for 3rd - 12th Grade - Keeping a notebook can help your students think and act like scientists and engineers. Sample these easy-to-implement strategies and lessons to bring science notebooking into your program.
Mizzen Module: S.INQ Up Earth and Space for 6-8th Grade - Earth and Space is an inquiry and exploration-based curriculum that uses hands-on activities focused on the relationships between the earth, the solar system, and human impacts on our global environment.

No Cost Additional Resources

Broadening STEM: Pride in STEM - Pride in STEM is a charity run by an independent group of LGBTQIA+ scientists & engineers from around the world. On this website, find resources, blog posts, events, and more.

Broadening STEM: 500 Queer Scientists - A database of LGBTQ+ researchers, professors, program managers, and students in a range of STEM fields: engineering, data science, chemistry, psychology, and many more disciplines. There are 1,591 people and counting profiled on this website. This database provides students, educators, and practitioners with an easy way to identify LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM in order to highlight their work and/or network with them.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

These assets feature IF/THEN® Ambassadors Nicole Jackson, LGBTQIA+ identifying health technologist and Dana Bolles, LGBTQIA+ identifying spaceflight engineering and advocate for disabled people in STEM. These assets can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and conference presentations.

Ambassador Profile, Long Profile, Nicole Jackson
Ambassador Profile, Long Profile, Dana Bolles

National STEM Day resources

We are kicking off November with a blast on #NationalSTEMDay! Explore

@NASA challenges, #STEM toolkits, and virtual field trips! @NASASTEM

has plenty of resources for K-12 classrooms. Inspire students to reach for the stars. ✨ https://www.nasa.gov/stem

Webinar: The Genius of Play and STEAM.

When: November 8th, 2022 at 9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern

This webinar presented by The Toy Association in collaboration with NGCP will introduce you to free resources available through The Genius of Play initiative. This initiative provides parents, caregivers, and educators with research, expert advice, and ready-to-use ideas and activities to engage kids of all ages in a fun and skill-building play.

Registration: https://ngcproject.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/ngcproject/event.jsp?event=707

Resources for #NativeAmericanHeritage Month

This #NativeAmericanHeritage Month, meet Ahna Skop, a geneticist, artist, science communicator, and champion for the underrepresented in science. She studies how cells divide, knowing that failures lead to cancer and neurodegeneration. | IF/THEN® Collection (ifthencollection.org)

Anha Skop, #NativeAmerican scientist, shares with us how a day is on the job of a geneticist. Watch to learn how she uses her art skills to visually communicate science. IF/THEN® Collection (ifthencollection.org)

Astronaut @AstroDuke became the first #NativeAmerican woman in space. Nicole Mann from the Wailacki tribe of the Round Valley Indian Tribes hopes her experience will inspire indigenous youth to shoot for the stars. Learn more about this role model here: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/nicole-a-mann

October 2022

Professional Development

ACRES

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Engineering Practices

Dates: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST on the following Tuesdays: 10/4/2022, 10/18/2022, 11/01/2022

Engineering has become a staple of STEM programming for youth. How can we confidently bring engineering into our programming and support youth as they engage in problem solving? In this module, participants gain first-hand experience with engineering by solving a design problem. They examine the components of the engineering design process and discuss ways to model the process with youth. Asking Purposeful Questions is a prerequisite to this skill. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Register: Use the code AC281EP

ACRES Training Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions

Dates: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST on the following Wednesdays: 10/19/2022, 11/02/2022, 11/16/2022 - Questions begin a path towards discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train new summer staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice. This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. . Register: Use the code AC241PQ

Best Practice Webinar: Addressing STEM Stereotypes with Youth and Young Adults

October 13, 2022 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST / 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST - This webinar, the first of a two-webinar series, will dig deeply into research and best practices related to addressing STEM stereotypes with older youth and young adults. Researchers and educators will share strategies and resources to counter and break down STEM stereotypes. Speakers include: Claudia Fracchiolla, American Physical Society (APS), Michelle Higgins, The University of Arizona, Corinne Okada Takara, Bioartist and STEAM Educator. (Register and learn more via link above).

Best Practice Webinar: Addressing STEM Stereotypes with Young Children

October 20th 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST / 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST - This webinar, the second in the series, will dive into research and best practices related to addressing STEM stereotypes with young children beginning in preschool. Researchers and educators will share strategies and resources for discussing and addressing STEM stereotypes with young children. Speakers include: Dr. Allison Master, University of Houston College of Education, Carmelo Piazza, Brooklyn Preschool of Science, Kim Collazo, Public School Educator & Author. (Register and learn more via link above).

Quality STEM Webinar: DOS Certification Training

October 19-20 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM PST / 10:00 - 4:00 PM EST (register by October 5) - The training process involves a two-day live webinar training, completion of video calibration exercises, a one-hour live calibration session, and successful completion of two practice observations in the field. PEAR staff offer live, webinar DoS training monthly and in-person training for state networks or organizations can be arranged as needed for an additional cost. PEAR staff provides ongoing technical assistance, quarterly data reports, and online data management support for all DoS observers for two years post-certification.

Best Practice Webinar: Creating Inclusive Computer Science Learning: A Virtual Workshop

October 25 3:00 PM EST - Join the Click2ComputerScience team as they

review specific strategies to create an inclusive computer science

learning environment in out of school time. You will leave the workshop

with specific tactics to implement, computer science activities and

resources to continue your professional learning on computer science.

Best Practice Webinar: Preparing yourself to Lead Computer Science: A Virtual Workshop November 8 3:00 PM EST - Join the Click2ComputerScience team as they review specific strategies and ways out of school time educators can prepare themselves, their programs, and space to lead computer science with youth. You will leave the workshop with specific tactics to implement, computer science activities and resources to continue your professional learning on computer science.

Quality STEM Webinar: Recertification Training for DOS Observers November 8, 2022 7:00 - 10:00 AM PST / 10:00 - 1:00 PM EST (register by October 25) - Please note that observers that have been certified for two or more years need to complete recertification to make sure they are continuing to use the tool reliably.

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Science Practices Dates: 6:30 PM- 8:30 PM EST on the following Tuesdays: 11/8/2022, 11/29/2022, 12/13/2022

ACRES Training Cohort: ACRES Taster Workshop

Dates: 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM EST on Thursday December 8, 2022

Quality STEM Webinar: Dimensions of Success Program Planning Tool January 23rd and 25th 10:30 - 12:-00 PM PT1:30 - 3:00 PM ET (register by January 5, 2023)

Develop high-level understanding of the DoS Framework, dimensions of quality
Working with the PPT learn how to plan high quality STEM learning experiences using the DoS Program Planning Tool
Work with the newly revised DoS Program Planning Tool to identify and plan for high-quality program and activity planning practices.

Role Models Matters Training for STEM Volunteers

Ready to train volunteers and role models in your Network, school, or afterschool program? COMPLETE THIS REGISTRATION FORM to gain access to the Role Models Matter training developed by Techbridge Girls.

💡 More graphics for your newsletters, social media and more and HERE.

No Cost Training on Curriculum

Youth Engineering Solutions (YES) Out of School Field Testing Opportunity

Wondering how you might infuse engineering into your afterschool program, and are you especially interested in materials that are designed with English learners in mind? Dr. Christine Cunningham and her team at Penn State University are inviting 22 educators across the US to help develop afterschool engineering curricular materials for youth ages 9-13. Selected educators will be supported through asynchronous professional learning, will receive all curricular materials, and will be asked for their insights and reflections to improve the experience for youth. Access the educator recruitment letter from Dr. Cunningham and apply by October 22, 2022 through this link.

No Cost Training

ACRES Moonshot Virtual STEM Coach

You will receive a $500 stipend to attend the training plus $1000 for every cohort you coach. Applications due November 23rd — Sign up today!

Featured Webinars

Leveraging Collective Impact to Support STEM Programs and Resources

September 29, 2022 12:00 - 1:00 PM PT / 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET - In this webinar, learn how NGCP and other organizations leverage collective impact in order to provide the opportunity for programs to increase their ability to maintain interest and participation of girls in STEM through collaboration. Hear from a dynamic panel of speakers on strategies for successful STEM collaborations and how to nurture and scale effective STEM learning opportunities for all young people. (Register and learn more via link above).

Addressing STEM Stereotypes with Youth and Young Adults

October 13, 2022 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT / 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET - This webinar, the first of a two-webinar series, will dig deeply into research and best practices related to addressing STEM stereotypes with older youth and young adults. Researchers and educators will share strategies and resources to counter and break down STEM stereotypes. Speakers include: Claudia Fracchiolla, American Physical Society (APS), Michelle Higgins, The University of Arizona, Corinne Okada Takara, Bioartist and STEAM Educator. (Register and learn more via link above).

Addressing STEM Stereotypes with Young Children Part 2:

October 20, 2022 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT / 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET - This webinar, the second in the series, will dive into research and best practices related to addressing STEM stereotypes with young children beginning in preschool. Researchers and educators will share strategies and resources for discussing and addressing STEM stereotypes with young children. Speakers include: Dr. Allison Master, University of Houston College of Education, Carmelo Piazza, Brooklyn Preschool of Science, Kim Collazo, Public School Educator & Author. (Register and learn more via link above).

No Cost Activities

Recruit STEM Experts as Volunteers!

Supported by the Mott Foundation, Mizzen is available at no cost to afterschool professionals! Encourage partners to download the Mizzen By Mott app to access STEM activities at your finger-touch! You’ll find it in Mizzen here.

Featured Activities & Playlists

Mizzen Playlist: STEM Activities for K-5th Grade in Small Groups - This playlist is a great mix of engineering and science activities that are easy and fun for small groups of students.
Mizzen Playlist: Science Notebooks for 3rd - 12th Grade - Keeping a notebook can help your students think and act like scientists and engineers. Sample these easy-to-implement strategies and lessons to bring science notebooking into your program.
Mizzen Module: S.INQ Up Earth and Space for 6-8th Grade - Earth and Space is an inquiry and exploration-based curriculum that uses hands-on activities focused on the relationships between the earth, the solar system, and human impacts on our global environment.

Activity Toolkit: STEM Educators Academy Activity Toolkit from ExpandED Schools — This Activity Toolkit offers hybrid learning engineering design challenges, STEM facilitation skill builder videos, and engineering design activities categorized by content areas.

Activity Toolkit: Engineering is Elementary's NASA Partnership free units - A suite of free NASA-funded STEM resources for students in grades 3-8. All resources are research-based and classroom-tested. They are designed to support students’ understanding of space, while helping them see themselves as capable problem solvers.

No Cost Additional Resources

Space Week Resource: NGCP Archived Webinar: Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA Free Resources - In this webinar, presenters provide an overview of the Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA program and free resources, including a range of computer-based and paper-based activities, print products, and a Program Cookbook for facilitators.

Space Week Resource: NASA's STEM Resources for K-12 Educators - NASA lesson plans, resources, and opportunities for K-12 educators.

Space Week Resource: NASA: A Day in the Life Aboard the International Space Station - Follow astronauts on the International Space Station in a series of videos as they explain their daily routines. Educators can use this series of videos and resources to enhance K-12 STEM curricula.

Space Week Resource: Museum of Aviation: 2022 Space Week Resources - Find information on the Museum of Aviation's live virtual astronomy presentations, virtual presentations and workshops for educators, and more in celebration of Space Week.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

Space Week and World Architecture Day

These assets feature IF/THEN Ambassador Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil, Postdoctoral Researcher, Steward Observatory, and can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and conference presentations

STEM Journey, Long Profile, Ambassador Profile, Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil

World Architecture Day

These assets feature IF/THEN Ambassador Emily Pilloton, Founder and Director of Girls Garage, and can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and conference presentations

STEM Journey, Long Profile, On-the-Job, Emily Pilloton

September 2022

Inventors and Inventions

Myria Perez

Hey! I am Myria Perez and I am a paleontologist. Just like most young kids, I caught fossil fever. That obsession with dinosaurs and prehistoric life only grew when I began volunteering at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at twelve years old. It was the museum’s annual Dino Days event where I met the paleontology curators and asked about volunteering. I had brought them my drawings of dinosaurs I did during my spare time to show off to them. They allowed me to volunteer as long as my mother came along with me and so I did.

For the next few years, my mother drove me into Houston, an hour away from where we lived, almost every weekend to learn how to prepare delicate fossils including my favorite, dinosaurs, and share my passion through hall tours to museum visitors. When I turned sixteen, I immediately took my driving test so I could then drive myself through Houston traffic and be a part of the museum’s paleontology crew during my free time. I loved learning hands-on at the museum about the subject I was so passionate about and having supportive mentors. I felt like I belonged at a museum, where I could be myself and use my creativity for science.

Today, I work as a fossil preparator at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, in my dream career. Not only do I get to prepare fossils from Alaska and be an integral part in the active research, I show off my job to the public daily in the visible fossil lab. I am the person that uncovers fossils that have not seen light since they were buried millions of years ago. Through fossil preparation, I am able to discover something new and exciting every day. Being a paleontologist means I am creative, ambitious, and living that dream I had those many years ago.

IF/THEN Collection

The IF/THEN® Collection is a free digital library with photos, videos, posters, and more, featuring diverse women STEM innovators – all available for educational and other non-commercial use. You’ll find thousands of assets showcasing inspiring women whose jobs include training Olympic athletes, creating cosmetics, exploring space, working with animals, and designing everything from buildings and museum exhibits to electronics and medical equipment. Don’t know where to start in the IF/THEN Collection? Here are some tools to help you!

Featured Webinars

Leveraging Collective Impact to Support STEM Programs and Resources

Addressing STEM Stereotypes with Youth and Young Adults

Addressing STEM Stereotypes with Young Children Part 2: October 20, 2022 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT / 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET - This webinar, the second in the series, will dive into research and best practices related to addressing STEM stereotypes with young children beginning in preschool. Researchers and educators will share strategies and resources for discussing and addressing STEM stereotypes with young children. Speakers include: Dr. Allison Master, University of Houston College of Education, Carmelo Piazza, Brooklyn Preschool of Science, Kim Collazo, Public School Educator & Author. (Register and learn more via link above).

Quality Trainings

Preparing yourself to Lead Computer Science: A Virtual Workshop

November 8 3:00 PM EST - Join the Click2ComputerScience team as they review specific strategies and ways out of school time educators can prepare themselves, their programs, and space to lead computer science with youth. You will leave the workshop with specific tactics to implement, computer science activities and resources to continue your professional learning on computer science.

Creating Inclusive Computer Science Learning: A Virtual Workshop

October 25 3:00 PM EST - Join the Click2ComputerScience team as they review specific strategies to create an inclusive computer science learning environment in out of school time. You will leave the workshop with specific tactics to implement, computer science activities and resources to continue your professional learning on computer science.

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum and Training

In this workshop series, participants will be introduced to evidence-based strategies to support students in developing a positive math identity by exploring mathematics in everyday experiences. The highly engaging, hands-on experiences of After-School Math Plus (ASM+) also build students’ awareness of the importance of math skills for future educational choices and career options. The program engages students in grades 3-8 who are attending out-of-school-time programs.

SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

PEAR- DoS Certification Training

PEAR staff provides ongoing technical assistance, quarterly data reports, and online data management support for all DoS observers for two years post-certification.

The training process involves a two-day live webinar training, completion of video calibration exercises, a one-hour live calibration session, and successful completion of two practice observations in the field. PEAR staff offer live, webinar DoS training monthly and in-person training for state networks or organizations can be arranged as needed for an additional cost. PEAR staff provides ongoing technical assistance, quarterly data reports, and online data management support for all DoS observers for two years post-certification. Dates and times are: 

October 19-20; 10-4pm ET. (register by October 5)

Recertification Training for DOS Observers

Please note that observers that have been certified for two or more years need to complete recertification to make sure they are continuing to use the tool reliably. Dates and times are:

August 9, 2022; 10-1pm ET (register by July 26)
November 8, 2022; 10-1pm ET (register by October 25)

ACRES

ACRES is a nationally acclaimed coaching program that builds knowledge and skills so after school educators, librarians and anyone who works with youth in out-of-school settings can confidently facilitate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) experiences for youth. More information found here. 

September Cohort: Modeling Math Practices

DATES: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern Time on the following Wednesdays: 9/28/2022, 10/12/2022, 10/26/2022

October Cohort: Modeling Engineering Practices

Engineering has become a staple of STEM programming for youth. How can we confidently bring engineering into our programming and support youth as they engage in problem solving? In this module, participants gain first-hand experience with engineering by solving a design problem. They examine the components of the engineering design process and discuss ways to model the process with youth. Asking Purposeful Questions is a prerequisite to this skill. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort.

DATES: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Eastern Time on the following Tuesdays: 10/4/2022, 10/18/2022, 11/01/2022

Transformative Practices

Volunteer Match

Create a free VolunteerMatch account and post volunteer opportunities to connect STEM role models and mentors to work with your youth today! To find role models and mentors in STEM REGISTER HERE

This toolkit contains resources Networks or large organizations can use to introduce programs to the VolunteerMatch/STEM Next platform, get them registered, and begin posting volunteer opportunities!

More graphics for your newsletters, social media and more and HERE.

Space Place by NASA (in Spanish)

Aims to inspire and enrich upper-elementary-aged youth’s learning of space and Earth science through games, hands-on activities, informative articles, and videos. Includes resources for parents and educators.

Welcome Back to Afterschool 2022 Five Big Ideas to Spark Family Engagement in STEM

STEM can spark a curiosity in children that can inspire a lasting love of learning. Interest may come from a hands-on science investigation, a role model who codes for good causes, or words of encouragement from a teacher or afterschool instructor. Learn about five ideas to spark family engagement in your program and community.

21 Scientists and engineers to learn more about!

To encourage youth to learn more about these scientists and to explore related science projects and careers for scientists they find interesting, for each scientist, we have included a short biographical summary, links to 1-2 hands-on science projects related to the scientist's area of study, links to relevant science career profiles, and a link to a biography below.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/hispanic-scientists-engineers

Celebrating Latinx Scientists and Their Work: Resources for your Afterschool Program

National Hispanic Heritage Month offers a great opportunity for students to learn about the many Latinx contributions to STEM. During this month (which runs September 15 to October 15)—and all year—you can use the groundbreaking discoveries of Latinx scientists as the foundation for STEM learning activities.

Activities for Programs

STEM Educators Academy Activity Toolkit from ExpandED Schools

This Activity Toolkit offers hybrid learning engineering design challenges, STEM facilitation skill builder videos, and engineering design activities categorized by content areas.

Engineering is Elementary's NASA Partnership free units

30 Active Math and Activities for Kids Who Love to Move

When kids think of math, they usually picture worksheets and flashcards. But math doesn’t have to be dull! These active math games get kids up and moving, using their whole bodies to learn facts and skills. Lots of these ideas can be adapted to suit a variety of math concepts, so choose a few to try out with your math students soon.

Try Engineering Lesson Plan: Take Flight!

This lesson for ages 8-12 explores how flight is possible and how engineers have improved glider designs and materials to improve flight accuracy and distance.

Additional Professional Development

Addressing STEM Stereotypes with Youth and Young Adults - Join us to learn how to combat pervasive STEM stereotypes with youth and young adults. Back by popular demand! This webinar is the first of a two-webinar series on addressing STEM stereotypes with children and youth. This webinar will dig deeply into research and best practices related to addressing STEM stereotypes with older youth and young adults. Speakers include researchers and educators who will share strategies and resources to counter and break down STEM stereotypes.

October 13, 2022 11:00 - 12:00 PM PST; REGISTER HERE.

PBS Kids Free PD Experience on Connecting with Families - In this professional development experience, participants look at effective strategies for using technology to enhance communication with families.

Mizzen By Mott: Moonshot Connection

The Mizzen By Mott app delivers inspiring and engaging activities that spark learning in young people. Supported by the Mott Foundation, Mizzen is available at no cost to afterschool professionals! Encourage partners to download the Mizzen By Mott app to access STEM activities at your finger-touch! You’ll find it in Mizzen here.

Featured Activities & Playlists

Mizzen Playlist: STEM Activities for K-5th Grade in Small Groups - This playlist is a great mix of engineering and science activities that are easy and fun for small groups of students.

Mizzen Playlist: Science Notebooks for 3rd - 12th Grade - Keeping a notebook can help your students think and act like scientists and engineers. Sample these easy-to-implement strategies and lessons to bring science notebooking into your program.

Mizzen Module: S.INQ Up Earth and Space for 6-8th Grade - Earth and Space is an inquiry and exploration-based curriculum that uses hands-on activities focused on the relationships between the earth, the solar system, and human impacts on our global environment.

August 2022

Inventors and Inventions

Beata Edyta Mierzwa

Beata Edyta Mierzwa is a molecular biologist who combines science, art and fashion to share the beauty of biology with the world. Her award-winning PhD research at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology revealed that the final step in cell division works differently than people thought! Now, working at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at UCSD, she studies how different types of cells divide to broaden the world’s understanding of cell division and improve cancer therapy. When not doing experiments, Beata creates science art and fashion.

Her drawings portray scientific concepts in intuitive ways, while her science fashion celebrates the beauty of the tiny universe within us. Making artwork for journal covers, conferences and even space mission patches, her unique approach to science communication has been recognized by multiple awards around the world. As an AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador, Beata’s mission is to combine art and science to inspire creative and unconventional minds who will change the world with innovative research and groundbreaking discoveries.

Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young

Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young is a U.S. Senior Executive scientist. In high school she excelled in the classroom and athletics. As a collegiate athlete at North Carolina State University (NCSU), she was a three time ACC track champion and three time STEM graduate. In 1998, she became the Nation’s first African American Ph.D. in Paper Science and Engineering. Dr. Jacobs-Young was faculty at the University of Washington (1995-2002). In 2002, she joined the USDA and
then the White House as a Senior Policy Analyst for agriculture (2008-2010). In 2010 she led the establishment of the USDA Office of the Chief Scientist. Dr. Jacobs-Young then served as Acting Director for USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (2011-2012). She joined the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in 2012 as Associate Administrator and named Administrator in 2014, becoming the first female and person of color to lead the agency. Dr. Jacobs-Young is
a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Academy of Public Administration and a Presidential Rank Award winner.

IF/THEN Collection

Featured Webinars

Take a Deep Dive into each Engineering Mindset Practice with Dr. Christine Cunningham in this three-part webinar recording.

Christine Cunningham is a Professor of Practice in Education and Engineering in the College of Education whose work aims to make engineering and science more relevant and equitable, especially for populations underrepresented and underserved in engineering and science. She aims to create a next generation of innovators and problem solvers by developing research-based and field-tested engineering curricula and professional learning resources for preK-12 education.

RECORDING 1, RECORDING 2, RECORDING 3

Quality Trainings

Click2Engineering Community of Practice

This community of practice is a component of Click2Engineering, an asynchronous, module-based online professional development program for after-school educators. Participants in this community of practice get to be a part of developing future learning experiences and will have special access to existing Click2Engineering resources, including new curriculum and one-on-one coaching opportunities! Online meetings will include learning, working with materials, reflection, and sharing your ideas with others. You will grow your understanding of engineering and increase your confidence and ability to lead engineering sessions with youth

SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

DiscoverE Future City

Throughout the fall, participants work in teams of at least three students, an educator, and volunteer mentor to bring their vision of their future city to life. What do they see, hear, smell, and feel? From this starting point, they will design a futuristic city with innovative solutions to some of today’s most pressing sustainability issues. This strategy enables organizational partners, volunteers, and educators to effectively reach millions of students, parents, and young adults with the message that engineers work with smart, inspiring people to invent, design, and create things that matter.

SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

Techbridge Girls Curriculum & Training

Techbridge Girls (TBG) is an award-winning national nonprofit bringing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education to all girls across the U.S. For 20+ years, TBG has reengineered the way STEM education is taught, centering our girls’ brilliance and potential, emphasizing increasing STEM access, belonging, and persistence for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and all People of Color) youth from systematically marginalized communities. TBG will offer three different curriculum training programs for afterschool staff: 1) Ignite for 3-8th grade youth, 2) Inspire for 4-5th grade girls, and 3) Changemakers for 6-8th grade girls.

SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum and Training

SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

Teen Science Cafe

Teen Science Café programs are a free, fun way for teens to engage in lively conversations with STEM experts that explore the advances in science and technology that affect their lives. In these events, teens socialize over teen-friendly food and drink and have a lively conversation with local scientists and engineers about current cutting-edge developments in their fields, all in a relaxed and informal out-of-school setting. Teen Science Cafés are for teens, by teens. A core group of Teen Leaders, with the committed mentorship of an Adult Leader, plan and run the café programs. They welcome as diverse of a teen crowd as possible—diverse in ethnicity, culture, gender, and motivations for learning about science. Teen Science Cafés are not just for the science geeks; they are for all curious teens. Along the way, teen organizers gain a host of leadership skills. Cafés are typically run about an hour and a half once per month during the school year. Stipends are provided to selected sites to support the implementation of Teen Science Cafes.

SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

PEAR- DoS Certification Training

PEAR staff provides ongoing technical assistance, quarterly data reports, and online data management support for all DoS observers for two years post-certification.

October 19-20; 10-4pm ET. (register by October 5)

Recertification Training for DOS Observers

Please note that observers that have been certified for two or more years need to complete recertification to make sure they are continuing to use the tool reliably. Dates and times are:

August 9, 2022; 10-1pm ET (register by July 26)
November 8, 2022; 10-1pm ET (register by October 25)

ACRES

August Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions

Questions are the beginning of a path towards discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train new staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice. This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort.

DATES: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern Time on the following Wednesdays: 8/10/2022, 8/31/2022, 9/21/2022

September Cohort: Modeling Math Practices

DATES: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern Time on the following Wednesdays: 9/28/2022, 10/12/2022, 10/26/2022

October Cohort: Modeling Engineering Practices

Engineering has become a staple of STEM programming for youth. How can we confidently bring engineering into our programming and support youth as they engage in problem solving? In this module, participants gain first-hand experience with engineering by solving a design problem. They examine the components of the engineering design process and discuss ways to model the process with youth. Asking Purposeful Questions is a prerequisite to this skill. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort.

DATES: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Eastern Time on the following Tuesdays: 10/4/2022, 10/18/2022, 11/01/2022

Transformative Practices

Volunteer Match

Create a free VolunteerMatch account and post volunteer opportunities to connect STEM role models and mentors to work with your youth today! To find role models and mentors in STEM REGISTER HERE

This toolkit contains resources Networks or large organizations can use to introduce programs to the VolunteerMatch/STEM Next platform, get them registered, and begin posting volunteer opportunities!

More graphics for your newsletters, social media and more and HERE.

Role Models Matters Training for STEM Volunteers

“Access to STEM” framework

Unveiled at the Girls Build Solutions event, access to the revised STEM Framework can be found here.

The STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education Center

Provides evidence-based resources and strategies for practitioners and families to engage children with disabilities in STEM learning.

Career Girls

Toolkits, including lesson plans featuring diverse women role models for educators, mentors, and families to learn about youth’s interests and to engage youth in empowering STEM-learning activities.

Activities for Programs

After-School Science PLUS - Download Building with Wonderful Junk and take the challenge! Build a bridge or a platform that meets a set of requirements and test it. Challenge the kids to add to the activity (For example build a bridge that will hold a student up 6 inches from the floor).

Take Flight - Using everyday materials, youth engineer a glider that can fly straight for 15 feet.

Keep Your Cool! Design Your Own Cooler Challenge - Youth design a cooler that will keep a bottle of water cool using the engineering design process. They test their prototype and graph their results to determine the effectiveness of the solution.

Get it Write! - Youth engineering a writing device (pen) using everyday materials. They think about both the (water soluble) "ink" and the delivery mechanism.

Additional Professional Development

October 13, 2022 11:00 - 12:00 PM PST; REGISTER HERE.

July 2022

Inventors and Inventions

Dana Bolles

Dana Bolles began working for NASA in 1995. The first 13 years of her career were as an engineer in regulatory compliance, from payload safety to environmental protection, and she worked at 3 centers: Kennedy Space Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, and Ames Research Center. Her most recent opportunity, communicating NASA’s exploration of life beyond Earth, added another center under her belt, NASA Headquarters. Dana’s diverse work experience has given her a great appreciation not only for the programs/projects side of NASA, but also for the mission support functions.

In addition to her official duties, Dana volunteers for employee resource groups for women, people with disabilities, and LGBT communities. She is a firm believer of the value of diversity and is committed to raising awareness, especially of the unique challenges people with disabilities face in their daily lives. She also has a passion for outreach, encouraging youth, especially girls, to excel and be their best in life. Dana has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and lives with her partner Shelly and their cats in San Francisco.

Jess Cramp

Jess Cramp is a shark researcher who specializes in conservation policy and engaging communities in the management of their ocean. Jess co-championed a grassroots campaign that resulted in the Cook Islands Shark Sanctuary in 2012, an area exceeding 770,000 square miles. Jess has since advised communities, national governments and international organizations on conservation policy, led marine research expeditions through various island nations, and mentored local youth interested in science. She is the founder and executive director of Sharks Pacific, a non-profit organization that conducts research, outreach and advocacy throughout the Pacific Islands region. Her work focuses on improving fisheries management, human-wildlife conflict prevention, community empowerment, and the development of policies that consider people and the environment in equal measure. She is currently a PhD candidate at James Cook University. An accomplished speaker, Jess was named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer in 2015 and an AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador in 2019.

IF/THEN Collection

Featured Webinars

Take a Deep Dive into each Engineering Mindset Practice with Dr. Christine Cunningham in this three-part webinar recording.

RECORDING 1, RECORDING 2, RECORDING 3

Quality Trainings

Click2Engineering Community of Practice

SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

DiscoverE Future City

SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

Techbridge Girls Curriculum & Training

SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum and Training

SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

Teen Science Cafe

SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

PEAR- DoS Certification Training

PEAR staff provides ongoing technical assistance, quarterly data reports, and online data management support for all DoS observers for two years post-certification.

October 19-20; 10-4pm ET. (register by October 5)

Recertification Training for DOS Observers

Please note that observers that have been certified for two or more years need to complete recertification to make sure they are continuing to use the tool reliably. Dates and times are:

August 9, 2022; 10-1pm ET (register by July 26)
November 8, 2022; 10-1pm ET (register by October 25)

ACRES

6/17/ 2022,7/1/2022, 7/22/2022; REGISTER HERE

July Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions

Questions are the beginning of a path towards discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train new summer staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice.  This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Stipends are offered to participants who complete feedback surveys before and after a module.

Cohort dates and times are: 10:00 to 12:00 EST on the following Tuesdays 

7/26/ 2022, 8/9/2022, 8/23/2022; REGISTER HERE

Transformative Practices

Black Girls Create

Black Girls Create: Developing a Culturally Responsive Maker Program for Black Girls article describes the development and pilot implementation of a culturally responsive maker afterschool program for Black girls.

Activities for Programs

Additional Professional Development

NGCP Archived Webinar: Families & STEAM: Strengthening Relationships & Building Partnerships - Family engagement in STEAM can come in many forms — STEAM nights, science fairs, family newsletters, etc. But how can you move into a deeper partnership with families in the service of STEAM learning? In this webinar, we’ll hear from practitioners and researchers who are working to deepen engagement with youth and their families to intentionally support equity in and access to STEAM opportunities. You will hear about strategies, examples, and current research, and will have the opportunity to ask questions.

June 2022

Inventors and Inventions

Dr. Ciara Sivels is a nuclear engineer at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where she works on a variety of projects using radiation detection and modeling. Her past research focused on nuclear explosion monitoring and treaty verification, resulting in 4 first authored publications as well as numerous research awards, including the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s University Program Review National Laboratory Impact Award. Among the many outreach and mentorship programs that she participated in during her time at Michigan, she helped found the Women in NERS (Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences) group, a space for women in the department to commune, share stories, and discuss issues. Ciara obtained her PhD in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan in 2018, becoming the first black woman to do so at Michigan. She also holds a Master’s degree and Bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan and MIT, respectively. She is originally from Chesapeake, VA.

Featured Webinars

Webinar: The M in STEM: Making Math Meaningful

This webinar will focus on engaging and supporting youth in mathematics. We will learn from an AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassador who uses mathematics to positively impact society and share best practices and resources to help make the M in STEM meaningful and accessible in afterschool. Click here for the webinar recording.

Quality Trainings

Role Models Matters Training for STEM Volunteers

PEAR- DoS Certification Training

PEAR staff provides ongoing technical assistance, quarterly data reports, and online data management support for all DoS observers for two years post-certification.

·July 13-14, 2022; 10am-4pm ET. (register by June 29)
October 19-20; 10-4pm ET. (register by October 5)

Recertification Training for DOS Observers

Please note that observers that have been certified for two or more years need to complete recertification to make sure they are continuing to use the tool reliably. Dates and times are:

· August 9, 2022; 10-1pm ET (register by July 26)

· November 8, 2022; 10-1pm ET (register by October 25)

Transformative Practices

Equity and Inclusion:

We Rep STEM - STEM Profile - Joy James - We’ve said it time and again: Representation matters. That’s especially true for children, whose perceptions of the world are based, in part, on the things they see. When Joy James set out to write her book, 101 Brilliant Black Inventors and their Inventions, she wanted to create something that would inspire her young children. The end result – an in-depth celebration of the achievements of Black innovators.

Activities for Programs

Engineering a Fix for the Great Pacific Garbage Patch - This activity encourages youth to use engineering to take care of the planet. 

After-School Science PLUS - Download Building with Wonderful Junk and take the challenge!  Build a bridge or a platform that meets a set of requirements and test it. Challenge the kids to add to the activity (For example build a bridge that will hold a student up 6 inches from the floor).

Engineering Ocean Currents  - This is a fun and interactive activity that is designed to enhance student understanding of the engineering design process.

Design Squad: Invent it, Build It: Making the world a better place - Research tells us that when kids think their activity helps others it increases engagement. Activities encourage kids to think of themselves as inventors, discuss inventing and engineering, and dispels the stereotype that engineering is boring.

4 Great Outdoor Activities to Do With Kids This Summer - These easy activities are designed to be suitable in a COVID conscious environment.  Young children play outdoor games, plant a garden, make ice cream, and participate in a scavenger hunt.

May 2022

Inventors and Inventions

Why Inventing For Diversity and Inclusion is So Essential

What would the world look like if there was more diversity and inclusion in inventing? Over the past few years, academic research has identified significant disparities in the rate at which people obtain patents. Women (especially African American and Hispanic women), people of color, and individuals from lower income families obtain patents much less often than their counterparts. Learn more and read the Forbes article here.

Utilizing IF/THEN Collection

Featured Webinars

The M in STEM: Making Math Meaningful

Thursday, May 19, 2022 11:00AM Pacific / 12:00PM Mountain / 1:00PM Central / 2:00PM Eastern

Quality Trainings

Role Models Matters Training for STEM Volunteers

PEAR- DoS Certification Training

PEAR staff provides ongoing technical assistance, quarterly data reports, and online data management support for all DoS observers for two years post-certification.

July 13-14, 2022; 10am-4pm ET. (register by June 29)
October 19-20; 10-4pm ET. (register by October 5)

Recertification Training for DOS Observers

Please note that observers that have been certified for two or more years need to complete recertification to make sure they are continuing to use the tool reliably. Dates and times are:

August 9, 2022; 10-1pm ET (register by July 26)
November 8, 2022; 10-1pm ET (register by October 25)

ACRES

May Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions

Questions are the beginning of a path towards discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train new summer staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans and to reflect on practice.  This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Stipends are offered to participants who complete feedback surveys before and after a module. 

Cohort dates and times are: 10:00 to 12:00 EST on the following Thursdays 

5/26, 6/9, 6/23; REGISTER HERE 

June Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions

Questions are the beginning of a path towards discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train new summer staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice.  This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Stipends are offered to participants who complete feedback surveys before and after a module.

Cohort dates and times are: 3:00 to 5:00PM EST on the following Wednesdays 

6/15/2022, 6/29/2022, 4/20/2022; REGISTER HERE

June Cohort: Modeling Engineering Practices

Engineering has become a staple of STEM programming for youth. How can we confidently bring engineering into our programming and support youth as they engage in problem solving? In this module, participants gain first-hand experience with engineering by solving a design problem. They examine the components of the engineering design process and discuss ways to model the process with youth. Asking Purposeful Questions is a prerequisite to this skill. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Stipends are offered to participants who complete feedback surveys before and after a module.

Cohort dates and times are: 1:00 to 3:00 EST on the following Thursdays 

6/17/ 2022,7/1/2022, 7/22/2022; REGISTER HERE

July Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions

Questions are the beginning of a path towards discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train new summer staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice.  This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Stipends are offered to participants who complete feedback surveys before and after a module.

Cohort dates and times are: 10:00 to 12:00 EST on the following Tuesdays 

7/26/ 2022, 8/9/2022, 8/23/2022; REGISTER HERE

Transformative Practices

Equity in Math Class: 5 Tips for Teachers - WeAreTeachers

Ways to Build Equity into Your Math Lessons  discusses how equity and social justice play a critical role in math instruction. 

Critical Issue: Remembering the Child: On Equity and Inclusion in Mathematics and Science Classrooms (ncrel.org)

The North Central Regional Education Laboratory (NCREL) addresses equity and inclusion in STEM classrooms as a critical issue in a  paper that includes six effective practices for equity. 

Incorporating the Stories of Women, People of Color, and LGBTQ+ Scientists Into the Physics Classroom

Short article from NSTA about the contributions of women, people of color, and other diverse scientists to the field of Physics. Includes a link to lesson plans for lesson plans that could be adapted for K9-12.

Activities for Programs

Math Communities

Students, parents, and educators coming together to play with math!  Math Communities creates a virtual community that provides free access to joyful collaborative activities designed by professional mathematicians and math educators for K-12 students, educators, and families. There are lots of ways to communicate with other folks interested in math.

After-School Science PLUS

Download Building with Wonderful Junk and take the challenge!  Build a bridge or a platform that meets a set of requirements and test it. Challenge the kids to add to the activity (For example build a bridge that will hold a student up 6 inches from the floor).

Design Squad: Invent it, Build It: Making the world a better place

Research tells us that when kids think their activity helps others it increases engagement. Activities encourage kids to think of themselves as inventors, discuss inventing and engineering, and dispels the stereotype that engineering is boring.

10 Simple Yet Thrilling Invention Ideas For Kids

These are highly engaging  activities for students including directions and videos. These activities use materials that are easy to find and can be done in a family setting.

8 Best Invention Ideas for Children

Try some fun and silly inventions that are very engaging:  These activities are free, easy to set up, and use materials familiar to kids.

17 Innovative Mathematics Projects that Inspire Students | by Ali | However, Mathematics

A list of some unique, hands-off, and fun mathematical projects for any blooming mathematician.

Additional Professional Development

NGCP Archived Webinar: Families & STEAM: Strengthening Relationships & Building Partnerships

Family engagement in STEAM can come in many forms — STEAM nights, science fairs, family newsletters, etc. But how can you move into a deeper partnership with families in the service of STEAM learning? In this webinar, we’ll hear from practitioners and researchers who are working to deepen engagement with youth and their families to intentionally support equity in and access to STEAM opportunities. You will hear about strategies, examples, and current research, and will have the opportunity to ask questions.

El minuto del Million Girls Moonshot

Suscríbase a nuestro boletín mensual especial Million Girls Moonshot para recibir recursos, oportunidades de desarrollo profesional y actividades para jóvenes, todos enfocados en STEM y equidad.

Inscribirse

Presentations and Supporting Documents

Recursos de Million Girls Moonshot

Resources

May 2024

Special Opportunities

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WEBINARS

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

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April 2024

Special Opportunities

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WEBINARS

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

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March 2024

Special Opportunities

WEBINARS

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

February 2024

Special Opportunities

WEBINARS

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

January 2024

Special Opportunities

WEBINARS

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

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December 2023

Special Opportunities

WEBINARS

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

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November 2023

Special Opportunities

WEBINARS

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

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October 2023

Special Opportunities

WEBINARS

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No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

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September 2023

Special Opportunities

WEBINARS

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No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

MIZZEN BY MOTT

Supported by the Mott Foundation, Mizzen is available at no cost to afterschool professionals! Download the Mizzen By Mott app to access STEM activities at your finger-touch! You’ll find it in Mizzen here.

Transformative Practices

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

August 2023

Special Opportunities

WEBINARS

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No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist

MIZZEN BY MOTT

Supported by the Mott Foundation, Mizzen is available at no cost to afterschool professionals! Download the Mizzen By Mott app to access STEM activities at your finger-touch! You’ll find it in Mizzen here.

Transformative Practices

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

July 2023

Special Opportunities

WEBINARS

No Cost Activities

Activity Playlist