September 2024 STEM Newsletter

Local News and Program Updates

WHO:

High School and college students from Northern New England have the opportunity to explore the different disciplines of STEM to help them formalize their education plans while discussing careers and internships with participating companies. Hands on activities for a range of ages from elementary through high school.

WHAT:

STEM companies from Northern New England will convene at Wicked STEM to showcase their products, provide hands-on STEM activities, and network with the future workforce.

WHY:

The mission of Wicked STEM is to cultivate and sustain the interest of the region's youth in STEM careers by providing an exciting and engaging face-to-face experience where they will learn, engage and connect with local experts.

For more information including exhibitors, speakers, and attractions; and to register:

The time has come! We’re proud to be joining the Afterschool Alliance and thousands of afterschool programs for the nation’s showcase of afterschool programs: Lights On Afterschool! Join in the celebration!

Afterschool programs provide the fun and safe environment youth need to explore new things, build meaningful connections, and reach their full potential. On October 24, we’re helping to shine a light on the important role of afterschool programs in our community - and you can too! 

Sign up now to join the celebration - you will receive free posters to promote your event, and tips make your Lights On Afterschool like no other!

The Lights On Afterschool toolkit provides all the resources you need to plan a great showcase of your program. Help make this year the brightest Lights On celebration yet!

Happy Lights On Afterschool!

2024 Annual Back to School Conference for OST

Discover the power of connecting! Join us for a day of SUPER POWER training, networking, and connecting specifically designed for out of school time (OST) directors, site directors, and staff. Earn 6 hours of professional development in NHCIS. Choose your trainings. Morning coffee, tea, and lunch are included. Round Table experts will be available at lunch to provide resources and answer questions. All participants will take home a gift for their program.

Download the conference brochure for the complete list of trainings with descriptions.

The $25 Registration Fee covers trainings, lunch, resources and a gift for your program.

The last day to register in Eventbrite is October 12th.

STEM Training and Professional Development

You're invited to the inaugural New Hampshire Rural Library eSummit, a half-day virtual event on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 from 12pm-5:30pm.  This free event, supported by the New Hampshire Statewide Family Engagement Center and Partners for Rural Impact, focuses on improving educational outcomes for all students by connecting families with schools, libraries, and communities through placebased approaches.

The eSummit’s theme, "Bridging the Gap with Children and Families", looks to bring together rural, school, public, and academic library practitioners, educators, and community members from across the state. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about and share strategies for integrating family engagement and early literacy, promoting health and wellbeing, and strengthening partnerships between schools and libraries through place-based approaches. Registration is open until September 13, and recordings will be available after the eSummit for all registered participants. Rural libraries that register and attend this event will have a chance to be randomly selected to receive educational resources such as a STEMKit, early literacy materials, bookstore vouchers, and more. Don't miss this opportunity to ignite new ideas and build stronger, family-friendly libraries and schools in our rural communities.

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.

Code: AC441PQ

(Coach Becky T)

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.

Code: AC423EP

(Coach Emma C)

Free STEM Tools and Resources

How it works:

Any high school class, club, or out-of-school time educational program is eligible to participate in the program. Teachers who take groups through the learning activities and facilitate a community project will receive a stipend of $1,000.

• Groups are required to complete four engaging, NGSS-aligned lessons on the Walking Softer website, covering the environmental topics of rewilding, sustainable food systems, and material waste management.

• Teachers complete the registration process online in order to be eligible to receive project funding and a teacher stipend.

• Following the onboarding process, groups pick a project to design and implement in their community. Walking Softer will distribute funds for groups to execute their project plans after they submit their completed project "How-to-Guide" and an invoice.

In addition, high school juniors and seniors participating in Walking Softer Education are eligible for a scholarship of up to $20,000 should they choose to apply sustainability to their academic and professional future (2-year, 4-year, or trade school eligible)!

Virtual Visits with Experts from NASA and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration!

Are you interested in enhancing your Earth and space science lessons with STEM experts? Connect your students with the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES-R Series) weather satellite program during a Virtual Visit.

Through the magic of virtual learning, participants can interact with experts from NASA and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration in 30- to 45-minute-long live programs to learn more about the GOES-R Series, the Western Hemisphere's most sophisticated weather-observing and environmental monitoring system, and its benefits to daily life.

Click here and scroll down for more information on Virtual Visits and how to register.

The school year begins by building a strong sense of belonging, communication, and connection from the start. In this spirit, check out these four fun community-building activities that invite students to feel at home, settle in, and make new friends.