June 2022

Early Bird Registration for the Impact Afterschool Conference

We are excited to announce that early bird registration is now open for our annual Impact Afterschool Conference! This year the conference will be held at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines September 22 & 23, 2022. Use the discount code EARLYBIRD to receive $15 off of registration now through the end of June.

We would love to hear what interests you! If you have a topic you would like to see presented at the conference this year please contact Hannah McDowell at hmcdowell@sppg.com. The IAA team is still in the planning process and will release more details about hotels, food, and breakout sessions later this summer.

We can’t wait to see you all this fall! Click here to register today!

Let's Show the Nation How Iowa Does STEM in Afterschool! 

Iowa Afterschool Alliance is a part of the Million Girls Moonshot, helping out-of-school time programs as they increase the quality of STEM learning opportunities for all young people, especially for underserved and underrepresented youth.

Million Girls Moonshot seeks to re-imagine who can engineer, who can build, who can make. It will inspire and prepare the next generation of innovators by engaging one million more girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) learning opportunities through afterschool and summer programs over the next 5 years. 

Every state is asking afterschool and summer programs to share more about how they do STEM. Please join this important effort! Your answers will help us to better understand how we can best support afterschool and summer programs statewide. The survey should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Everyone who responds will be entered into a drawing to win one of ten $100 Visa gift cards. Click here to take the survey! 

AmeriCorps Summer Ladders Applications Open

Know someone interested in a unique summer opportunity?

Camp Fire Heart of Iowa in Des Moines is looking for an AmeriCorps Summer Ladders to join their staff this summer! Summer Ladders members receive a $4,000 stipend for living expenses over the summer which is the equivalent to $14/hour and a $1,300 education award that can go towards qualifying loans or current educational expenses upon completion of their term of service.

The Summer Ladders AmeriCorps program works to build the capacity of summer programs by developing and facilitating new, high quality activities that promote increased social, emotional, math, science, and reading proficiency. The Summer Ladders AmeriCorps Member will utilize the Dimensions of Success program development tool to develop high quality lesson plans in the areas of social and emotional learning, reading, science, and math, as determined by the host site; collaborate with host site leaders and frontline staff to integrate lesson plans into summer programming, as well as archive lesson plans for use over the school year; and prepare and implement high quality activities with youth.

Please contact Britney Appelgate at bappelgate@sppg.com for questions or more information and check out the position description here.

Afterschool for All Challenge 

This year's Afterschool for All Challenge was a great success! With the help of Jenna Andrews from Beyond the Bell in Sioux City, the Iowa Afterschool Alliance had two great meetings with our congressional leaders. The team met with a representative from Senator Ernst's office, sharing with them how afterschool programs stepped up during the pandemic to meet the needs of their communities. The next day the team met with Senator Grassley and his education team to share how 21st Century Community Learning Center's funding, community block grant funding, and ARP funds are helping afterschool programs keep their doors open. IAA and Beyond the Bell shared with both groups how programs are struggling with staffing shortages and the demand for afterschool is still high.

This opportunity to share what programs in Iowa need was great! If you are interested in telling the story of your program or advocating for afterschool please reach out to Hannah McDowell at hmcdowell@sppg.com!

Afterschool Alliance Testifies to Increase 21st CCLC Funding  

On Monday May 26, Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant testified at a hearing of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-E) Appropriations Subcommittee in favor of increased funding for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) that support local afterschool and summer learning programs nationwide. Speaking of behalf of the afterschool field, and addressing the Subcommittee led by Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Ranking Member Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Grant made the case for an investment by Congress of $1.79 billion in fiscal year 2023 for 21st CCLC to address the demand for afterschool and summer learning programs and to build on past success.

Michael and Susan Dell Foundation Grants

The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation collaborates with a range of organizations focused on creating opportunities for children and families living in urban poverty, with a deep emphasis on measuring impact. $50,000 grants are available for organizations with a focus in education, health and wellness, or family economic stability. Funding will be put towards project support or efforts to scale. Learn more about the grants and how to apply here.

Learn more and apply here.

Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers

Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) is an applied research and development program with goals to advance the equitable and inclusive integration of technology in the learning and teaching of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from pre-kindergarten through high school. The program’s objective is to support all students’ acquisition of the foundational preparation in STEM disciplines. Preparation for the current and future workforce is increasingly dependent upon the application and use of technology and computing. Learning and teaching must be reimagined to better represent the diverse composition and perspective of our nation’s people and be expanded to encompass all pathways for students to receive a high-quality STEM education. A highly proficient and diverse technological and computational STEM workforce is needed to advance new discoveries in science, engineering, and technology in the service of the nation. The ITEST program is one way the National Science Foundation is responding to the challenge and opportunity to provide all students with equitable access to a STEM education related to the technical and scientific workforce.

Learn more and apply here.

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 your 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. 

Iowa Science Phenomena - According to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), phenomena are "Natural phenomena are observable events that occur in the universe and that we can use our science knowledge to explain or predict. The goal of building knowledge in science is to develop general ideas, based on evidence, that can explain and predict phenomena.

Great Women in Engineering History

Long before women engineers were considered something special, some amazing women were doing great things to pave the way. Although their contributions are sometimes unrecognized, women with a little ingenuity have always had the power to do great things. #EngineerGirlShow highlights amazing women in engineering and to inspire the next generation. Check out their video here.

We Rep STEM: STEM Profile of 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. Check out Joy James's STEM Profile here.

Meet IF/THEN Ambassador Dr. Ciara Sivels  

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. Learn more about Dr. Sivels here!

Mizzen By Mott Moonshot Connection

Mizzen By Mott App

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 

• Playlist: Helping the Planet for 3rd-5th Grade - This playlist allows younger students to go outside and learn about ways to help the environment.
• Module: Helping My Community - Communities play a unique role in our growth and development from children to adults. In this module, youth will spend time minimizing their environmental footprint and planning garden for wildlife.
• Activity: An Inside Look at a Recycling Center - Students will increase their understanding of how recycling affects our environment and helps save our natural resources. They will learn about the recycling process that begins after material is collected and brought to a recycling center.

ACRES 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: 2:00-4:00 p.m. on the following Wednesdays 6/15, 6/29, 7/20. Click here to register today! 

ACRES 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: 12:00-2:00 p.m. on the following Thursdays 6/17, 7/1, 7/22. Click here to register today! 

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.  

Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers 2022 Summer Symposium July 19-21, 2022

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) announced the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) 2022 Summer Symposium. This event, hosted by OESE’s Office of School Support and Accountability, will convene virtually on July 19-21, 2022. This year’s theme is “Strong You, Strong Me, Strong Community.”

The Summer Symposium features successful strategies that state education agencies (SEAs) and their grantees can use to implement and manage all components of a 21st CCLC program. Attendees will hear from nationally recognized speakers during plenary sessions and work closely with education experts and peers during interactive workshops. SEAs and grantees will gain valuable perspectives on afterschool issues and receive important updates about the 21st CCLC program. To learn more about the summer symposium here.

DOS Program Planning Tool Training

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:

1. Develop high-level understanding of the DoS Framework, dimensions of quality 

2. Working with the PPT learn how to plan high quality STEM learning experiences using the DoS Program Planning Tool 

3. Work with the newly revised DoS Program Planning Tool to identify and plan for high-quality program and activity planning practices.

Dates & times are: August 2nd & 4th from 1:00-2:30pm *attendance required for both days. Click here to register.

National Center on Afterschool and Summer Enrichment: Strengthening the Out-of-School Time (OST) Workforce: A Guide to Developing Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are industry-driven career pathways that combine classroom instruction, on-the-job training (paid work experience), and mentorship, generally leading to a nationally recognized credential or degree. They are gaining momentum in Out-of-School Time (OST) as an alternate career pathway that supports equity in the workforce. In this guide, you will learn why apprenticeships are a useful strategy for OST staff, programs, and field leaders. The guide also identifies challenges to address and explores key elements of an apprenticeship program and promising practices. Click here to view the guide.

Out of School Time Professional Development Center

The Out of School Time Professional Development Center provides Out of School Time training to OST professionals. The classes provide in-depth curriculum and certificates. If you or your staff are interested in signing up for courses visit the Out-of-School Time website. Check out the entire course catalog here. 

Great Content on Y4Y!

You 4 Youth is a free online professional development site that is designed to support 21CCLC program staff but is a valuable tool for any afterschool professional looking to build their skills! Recently, Y4Y has rolled out a whole module on literacy. Click here to register.

Afterschool Alliance Webinars

The Afterschool Alliance offers webinars on a wide range of topics, from policy and the new Every Student Succeeds Act, to STEM and Social-Emotional Learning. Find out more on their webinars website. 

Iowa Child Care Training Registry

Find professional development for school-age programming on the State of Iowa Child Care Training Registry on topics ranging from health and safety to developmentally appropriate programming. Find out more online.

National Afterschool Association PD Resources

NAA provides afterschool professionals with resources to stay up-to-date on the latest topics in afterschool and summer learning. Find out more on their website here. 

Resources for STEM Programming

The Center for the Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE) provides background information that is useful for the development of STEM programming. Find out more on their website.

The Afterschool Tech Toolkit aims to empower afterschool professionals and educators with strategies and training so they can provide students with access to technology outside of classroom hours. It includes training modules on getting started, training staff, accessing technology, and devices, and more. Take a look at the toolkit here.  

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