May 2018 Newsletter
Access and Equity Survey

OregonASK is collecting data around issues of access & equity in  afterschool programs. The goal of this data collection project is to identify barriers to accessing  afterschool programs as well as equitable practices within the field. Our hope is to identify where gaps in service may exist to be able to effectively advocate for more funding and resources to support quality expanded learning opportunities for all youth in Oregon. Read about this survey and if you should take it  here.
Summer STEM Project with Harvard

Oregon ASK is partnering with the PEAR (Partnerships in Education and Resilience) Institute at
Harvard University to collect evidence of Summer STEM programs. Specifically, they will be looking at quality and learning outcomes from sites across the US to inform continuous improvement, support grant funding, and guide policy-making. 
Help us show the impact of STEM learning in Oregon!

Programs who participate in data collection will have access to several incentives, including: 
  • Access to data-creating tools: student & educator surveys, and observational tool (at no cost!)
  • Training, resources, and technical assistance for the survey and observation tools
  • Dynamic data dashboard to compare program data to state results and national norms
  • Use of data dashboard for grant applications, professional development, and advocacy work. 
See the attached document for more details on the study and eligibility requirements here. You can see the results from a similar study conducted in 2016 here.

If you're interested in participating or would like more information, contact Katie Lakey.

Thank You Afterschool Professionals! 
 
April 23rd-27th was National Afterschool Professional Appreciation Week. The work that they do to support and fight for out of school time is something we can't say thank you enough for! 
#Heartofafterschool 

Save the Date! Oregon Afterschool Conference November 3rd

Express Yourself at OregonASK's Annual Afterschool Conference! Make sure to join us at Chemeketa Community College in Salem on November 3, 2018. Apply here to be a be a presenter at our 2018 Conference! 


Summer is Coming- What are you doing for Summer Learning Day July 12, 2018?

National Summer Learning Day is a national advocacy day aimed at elevating the importance of 
k eeping kids learning, safe and  healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school in the Fall ready  t o succeed in the year.  If you don't have something planned already,   Here are some ideas for your program to get involved on July 12th! 
OregonASK Incubator Projects: Hands-on Afterschool 

As part of our  Opportunity Grant  received in the fall of 2017, we are working with communities around Oregon to facilitate several middle school projects that align with workforce efforts and building employability skills. Several pilots are being implemented this spring & summer but we are looking ahead to get several more programs signed up for our fall 2018 cohort. If you are interested in attending training for educators/facilitators, please Register Here or contact Rachel Kessler. 
  • Service to Careers: A youth voice focused curriculum that integrates service learning with local workforce while building employability skills in middle school age youth. This curriculum is designed to be implemented in 10 weeks/sessions.
  • Web Literacy: This project focuses on utilizing web and digital literacy resources to help youth build skills that can be captured and shared out in digital badges. Badges can be awarded in computer science specific skills or more generally applicable employability skills such as teamwork and communication.
Summer Block Party June 25th

OregonASK is partnering up with the Gilbert House Children's Museum for the annual kick off of summer learning! Join us from  10am to 2pm for Free Admission  to the museum and plenty of information and activities from program partners throughout the region!  

Professional Development Opportunities 

Leap Into Science 
May 19th at Eugene Science Center
Leap into Science is a research-based program that integrates open ended science activities with children's books, designed for children 3-10 and their families. Participants will also receive material kits. Register Now for Free for Oregon's first training on May 19th from 12-4pm.

CS Fundamental 
May 21st & May 22nd
Attendees will learn how to use Code.org's courses to introduce computer science basics in a format that's fun and accessible to the youngest learners (grades K-5). Register here.  Training is May 21st and 22nd at 9am-1pm in Wilsonville.
Keeping Updated on Policy Opportunities

Oregon's Joint Committee on Student Success is a group of state legislators finding out what is working and what isn't working in educating and equipping Oregon youth. In the coming months, they'll be visiting counties around the state to collect feedback from communities. Check out the schedule  Here .

There is also the opportunity to meet with your legislators at the Capitol during legislative days May 21st-23rd. Since we missed them during our annual Day at the Capitol, now is a great time to let them  know about what you do for your community and youth. Contact  Bethany Thramer if you would like help making an appointment or have questions about what to say.
Zero Robotics Middle School Challenge

Sign-up now to join the Zero Robotics training on June 9th! Middle school teams will be expected to start the 5 week program in July and be invited to a kick off field day, as well as the final competition at Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. Please contact OregonASK VISTA  Bernard Rahming with questions.  

Oregon Training for Educators
June 9th  from 9am-2:30pm in  Wilsonville
CyberDay4Girls in Oregon 

In a collaboration with IBM, OregonASK is promoting CyberDay4Girls at Mt. Hood Community College. The program is part of a national effort to increase the number of women in cyber security. This one day event is designed to help build students knowledge of cyber security in a fun and exciting way. Students will also learn about exciting careers and be introduced to female role models studying and working in the field. This event has been organized for 7th-8th grade girls who may or may not already be interested in STEM.  Read more about this event   here .

Apply Here  for a travel stipend to let us know if you will be able to bring 1-4 girls to the event in Gresham.

STEM Week 

STEM Week is May 5th-13th in Oregon! In an effort to raise awareness and celebrate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), partners and programs from around Oregon are joining  together to support this annual, state-wide event. 

Register any STEM- related activities in your school/district/community here .
National Network Conference

Thanks to funding from the CS Mott Foundation, in every state, there is an afterschool network broadening opportunities for youth. Seeking  equitable outcomes for underserved children to succeed in school and future jobs, a statewide afterschool network brings together cross-sector leaders with a common vision and coordinated strategy to advance quality afterschool and summer learning programs. 

This April, representatives from all 50 State Afterschool Networks convened in Washington DC to share and learn from one another. Pictured here is two of our Oregon team members, OregonASK Equity and Workforce Coordinator Juan Soto with Kirsten Sands the Employment and Training Coordinator for Oregon Department of Human Services.
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