ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp (EMBHSSC) From Molecules to Medicine and More
July 8-20, 2012; Gwynedd Valley, Pa.
EMBHSSC is organized to provide activities, experiments, projects and field experiences for students entering 6th, 7th or 8th grade in the fall of 2012. The camp promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and supports historically underserved and underrepresented students with limited opportunities. Students attend the camp free of charge. Camp participants will be selected from schools in the greater Philadelphia region. Click here for more information and to apply.
Afterschool Alliance’s 2012 Uncertain Times Survey
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. May 31, 2012
2012, as the still weak economy is showing some signs of recovery, we want to know how your program has fared in the wake of the Great Recession. As we work with policy makers, funders and the media, the Afterschool Alliance is engaged in conveying the many ways the current economic climate is affecting afterschool programs. We want to know: What are the current trends in enrollment, funding and capacity? Have funding sources changed in the last several years and if so, how is that affecting students and families?
Please take 15-20 minutes to share data from your afterschool program. Upon completing the survey, you will be entered to win a new iPad. Click here for the survey.
If you have any questions concerning the survey, please contact Chris D'Agostino at cdagostino@afterschoolalliance.org or (202) 347-2030.
2012 Promise Neighborhoods Competition Opens, $60 Million Available to Continue Reform and Award New Planning and Implementation Grants
The U.S. Department of Education released on April 20th the 2012 application for the Promise Neighborhoods program, which will provide $60 million to continue support for existing implementation grantees and award a new round of planning and implementation grants. Read more...
Free Spanish books for you school or literacy project
The Literacy Empowerment Foundation (LEF), now has Free Spanish books for your school or literacy project. LEF is dedicated to assisting educational programs by providing inexpensive children's books. The organization has several programs available to teachers, non-profit groups and reading programs. LEF has already distributed books to over 40,000 schools nationwide. Click here for more information and to order books.
YouTube: Live Streaming for Nonprofits
YouTube has just announced they will be giving all members of their nonprofit program (16,000 nonprofit organizations and counting) the ability to live stream their events – conferences, fundraisers and performances – directly from their channel in real-time. Learn more.
Arts in Afterschool
Research shows that the arts helps children build both basic and advanced thinking skills and instructs children in diverse modes of thinking and learning. The knowledge and skills that students develop in learning to respond, perform and create works of art constitute a fundamental form of literacy students must have if they are to communicate successfully and function in today’s new media and information society. Read more…
Arts in Education Initiative Report Released: Creating Pennsylvania’s Future through the Arts and Education
A project of the Education Policy and Leadership Center
Arts in Education has developed recommendations for policymakers and other key arts and education audiences, which are included in Education Policy and Leadership Center’s (EPLC) Arts and Education Policy Report, Creating Pennsylvania’s Future through the Arts and Education. EPLC is building capacity within the arts community for effective policy advocacy at the state and local levels, which will bolster a campaign to support the Report’s recommendations. Click here to read the full report.
Call for Papers on STEM in Afterschool/Out-of-School Time
Manuscripts due: July 20, 2012
Afterschool Matters, the peer-reviewed journal published by the National Institute on Out-of-School Time, is seeking papers on STEM topics for its spring 2013 issue, which will focus specifically on STEM in afterschool and out-of-school settings. Read more…
To subscribe to the journal in either electronic or hard copy version, please contact niost@wellesley.edu.
Rethinking How Kids Learn Science
How important are museums, TV shows and after school clubs to teaching kids science? Ira Flatow, host of Science Friday, interviewed Lynn Dierking (Sea Grant professor in free-choice learning, science and mathematics education, Oregon State University), Linda Kekelis (executive director, Techbridge), and Susan Singer (Laurence McKinley Gould professor of the natural sciences, Carleton College). They discuss informal science education and what researchers are learning about learning science. Plus, what is the best way to keep undergraduate science majors in science. Click here to listen to the interview.New Spanish Titles Available for Pre-K thru Second Grade
Wilbooks has expanded their Spanish catalog. They now offer 192 pre-K through second grade Spanish titles. Click here to view the new titles.
NY State Afterschool Network Announces New Policy Brief: Science Beyond the Classroom
We are pleased to announce the publication of a new policy brief, Science Beyond the Classroom, which argues that high-quality science learning outside the traditional classroom is critical to young people’s success, and outlines practical steps to make it accessible throughout New York State.
Click here to download the brief.
Afterschool Programs in Peril
In communities from coast to coast, afterschool programs are making a huge difference, keeping children safe, inspiring them to learn, and helping their working parents. Understanding that schools alone won't address all of our children's needs, afterschool programs complement and supplement the school day, often coordinating closely with teachers and principals to help students succeed. Support for quality afterschool programs is needed more than ever, yet the Department of Education is embracing policies that could devastate afterschool funding and the partnerships that make them so strong. Read more…
Engagement of OST in Career and Workforce
Archived PSAYDN Virtual Quarterly Meeting
If you were unable to join PSAYDN's Quarterly Meeting, January 2012, you can view the recording at your own convenience. Hear what Bill Bartle, Dr. Kate Hynes, Dr. Terri Henderson and Jill Helme contributed to this timely topic. Click here for handouts, presentation slides and the recording.
Put Your Youth Programs on the Map
Mapping Out of School Time (MOST) Science Questionnaire
Highlight your organization and its youth programs to MOST’s research team; help to identify common needs and challenges for youth OST science programs; contribute to a study that will inform funders, policy-makers, researchers and other program providers about the great work in this community and the needs that remain to be addressed; support development of future research studies to examine the development, education and career outcomes for youth who participate in OST science programs. Click here to complete the questionnaire.
Support the Afterschool for America’s Children Act - Contact Your Legislators
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), are introducing the Afterschool for America’s Children Act to support innovative advances occurring in before-school, afterschool and summer learning programs; to improve accountability connected to college- and career-readiness goals and parental engagement; to encourage professional development for afterschool staff, and maintain formula grants to states for 21st CCLC. This is an opportunity to make contact with Pennsylvania’s Senators -- Bob Casey (D) and Pat Toomey (R) and remind them about the needs of children attending afterschool programs.
Send a simple a message using the email form on their websites and explain who you are, how you are involved in afterschool, why you think afterschool is important, and request that they support Sens. Boxer and Murkowski’s Afterschool for America’s Children Act.
For more information on the legislation, click here. You may also phone their D.C. offices and ask to speak to staff that handle afterschool issues.
