stem and after-school...

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STEM* and After-School: A Perfect Match

ANYSYB Youth Development Training Conference October 28, 2014

*Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

Welcome

•  Questions for participants

–  Introduc1ons  

– Why  did  you  choose  this  session?  

Why Should Kids Participate in STEM?

•  STEM pervades our lives, and knowledge about STEM is essential for understanding the world we live in.

•  Participating in STEM develops 21st Century skills such as analytical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and communication.

•  Growth in STEM-related jobs is expected to be nearly double that for non STEM jobs.

•  STEM jobs (and even STEM degrees) command higher wages. (US Department of Commerce, 2011)

Why Offer STEM in Afterschool?

•  An average student who participates in science outside of school is more likely to end up in the STEM pipeline than a high performing student who only experiences science in school (Tai, 2006).

•  Afterschool programs are perfectly placed to develop STEM identity: I like science (engagement), I can do science (capacity), science is important to me (relevance). (Afterschool Alliance, 2014)

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How does STEM relate to program quality?

•  Individualized learning experiences

•  Project- and inquiry-based learning

•  Hands-on learning

•  School-linked but distinct from traditional classroom learning

•  Prime activities for developing habits of mind

Let’s Try It!

Who’s a Scientist? Afterschool Science Plus •  Physical Science •  Grades K-8 •  http://www.edequity.org/programs/science-and-

math-programs#23

Who is Missing from this Picture? What Assets do Afterschool Programs Have?

Youth from groups underrepresented in STEM fields:

•  Girls

•  Kids of color

•  Kids with disabilities •  Kids from low socio-

economic backgrounds

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What Assets do Afterschool Programs Have?

Staff with qualities that make them great STEM facilitators:

Ø  Similar in background to the kids

Ø  Skilled in youth development Ø  Build strong relationships

with kids Ø  Open to new ways of

learning and teaching Ø  Eager to see their

kids thrive

What Assets do Afterschool Programs Have?

A culture that embraces practices supportive of informal STEM :

•  Friendly, casual atmosphere

•  Youth-centered

•  Connected to families

•  Connected to the community & schools

Great STEM in Afterschool

•  Has facilitators who foster engagement and act as co-learners rather than experts

•  Is youth-centered and inclusive

•  Has kids doing science and using the science process skills

•  Reaches out to families •  Includes the community and

connects to the school day

How Do I Get There?

1.  Select quality curricula

2.  Provide staff development and support

3.  Engage family, community, and school resources

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First: Selecting Quality Curricula

•  Activities are hands-on AND minds-on •  Activities have kids engaged in one or more

STEM processes •  Activities have opportunities for reflection •  Activities have clear STEM learning goals •  Activities are relevant to youth, possibly via:

Ø  Career and role model connections Ø  Family connections Ø  Real-world connections

A Few Good Curriculum Examples

•  After-School Science Plus (K-8)

•  Peep and the Big Wide World (preK-1)

•  Wonderwise (3-5)

•  Engineering Adventures (3-5)

•  Afterschool Universe (6-8)

•  Techbridge (6-12)

Science After School Consumers Guide

http://www.sedl.org/afterschool/guide/science/

Let’s Try It!

Kitchen Kapers Techbridge •  Engineering •  Grades 6-8 •  http://www.techbridgegirls.org/

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Which STEM Processes Did We Use?

•  Observing •  Asking questions/ defining problems

•  Developing and using models •  Planning and investigating

•  Analyzing and interpreting data

•  Constructing explanations/designing solutions •  Obtaining, evaluating, & communicating

information

Engineering

Engineering

Second: Staff Development and Support

•  Training must be friendly and low-stakes. •  Let participants experience the activities as the

kids will. •  Emphasize co-inquiry:

“How can we find out together?”

•  Train in teams. •  Provide planning time. •  Regularly observe and assess staff.

Professional Development Resources

•  Afterschool support organizations •  Science-rich cultural institutions •  K-12 Schools •  Colleges and extension services •  Curriculum developers •  Click2SciencePD: www.click2sciencepd.org •  STEM2, the Power of Discovery:

http://powerofdiscovery.org/

Observation & Assessment Resources

•  Assessment Tools in Informal

Science: http://www.pearweb.org/atis/

•  National Girls Collaborative

Project: http://www.ngcproject.org/

evaluation-assessment

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Third: Engage Family, Community, & School Resources

•  Bolster identity by inviting community members to serve as role models.

•  Engage families by sending home activities for them to do at home and inviting them to your program for a family science night.

•  Develop a strong relationship with your local school or school district.

•  Reach out to zoos, science museums, and universities for staff training, programs for youth, and other support.

Family and Community Resources

•  A role model guide from Techbridge: http://www.techbridgegirls.org/index.php?id=29

•  A guide for engaging families from TASC: http://www.expandedschools.org/tools/increasing-parent-family-engagement-after-school#sthash.tnD4pWkl.dpbs

•  An Every Hour Counts video about school partnerships: http://www.expandedschools.org/tools/ten-ways-build-school-community-partnerships#sthash.Qplf7izF.dpbs

Additional Resources

Ø  STEM After School Guidebook: http://expandedschools.org/tools/stem-after-school-how-design-and-run-great-program-activities-second-edition#sthash.QNNMXLrh.dpbs

Ø  NYSAN: New York State Informal STEM Listserv http://www.nysan.org/join-listserv/

Take-Aways

•  Afterschool programs have a vital role in engaging kids in STEM.

•  Programs already have the kids, staff, and culture for success.

•  Choose the right curricula. •  Train, observe, and

support your staff. •  Engage families, school,

and the community. •  You are not alone.

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Thank you

For further information contact: Lisa Mielke Science Manager, TASC lmielke@expandedschools.org