November 2018 Newsletter
Ready for OAC 2018?

With record number of attendees registered and a powerhouse line up of topics to discuss, we are looking forward to Expressing all sorts of fun this weekend! We are ready and excited to share this long anticipated day packed full of professional development, creative exhibitors and engaging with other afterschool professionals who share the same passion!

If you haven't already, check out the UPDATED List of SessionsWhether it's learning about brain development or creative art projects for school age youth, we plan for everyone to thoroughly enjoy these fascinating and thought provoking sessions! If you haven't received your final confirmation email, you can reach out to [email protected].
What Does Creativity Mean To You?

The Hour of Code is coming up and it's started kicking off with a  special video!  This years theme is creativity, which begs the question: what does creativity mean to you? 

To those at Code.org computer science is about more than computers. Its about solving problems, helping humanity progress, and building a world that only existed in your mind. It's about the passion, collaboration and creativity that fuel why people code. 

In four weeks, Code.org will be kicking off the Hour of Code during CS Education Week,  December 3 - 9th, 2018.  Students all over the globe will find their love for computer science and that they can create anything through code. This is the perfect event to raise awareness in your community as to why computer science is important for all.

Technology is changing every industry on the planet, and computer science has become relevant to every career- even those outside technology and engineering. The Hour of Code has engaged  10% of the world's students , giving flight to imagination for hundreds of millions. For tens of millions of students, the Hour of Code will be an inspiring introduction to crucial 21st century skills.

Keep an eye out on social media what people say creativity is to them! Creativity is _______ What will you create? #HourOfCode To find out more about The Hour of Code and Code.org,  click here.
How Can Afterschool Save Our Planet? 

Did you know 500 Million plastic straws are used every day! That's enough straws to circle around the  Earth 2.5 times!

Afterschool programs are invited to take the 
2018-19 GeoChallenge- Tackling Plastic!
 Teams of students from grades 5th-8th will research the issue of plastic polluting our waterways. Students will gain research and linguistic skills, learn about cartography and videography, and be challenged to collaborate on innovative designs. Solution submissions will be accepted on January 15th to join a national competition! 

The GeoChallenge is open now for free registration! Once teams are registered they'll be able to access engaging materials that help them think creatively about the impact their inventive solutions will have! Learn more about the GeoChallenge from National Geographic  here.


CS For All Summit 

The CS For All Summit that took  place in Detroit this past October was one to be remembered! The summit featured expert speakers like Richard Culatta, CEO of
International Society for Technology and Education (ISTE) and Co-Inventor of CAPCHAs and cofounder / CEO of  Duolingo , Luis von Ahn (pictured to the right with OregonASK Director Beth Unverzagt). Luis von Ahn believes that everyone should have access to education and so do we! 

The summit celebrated the progress of the CS For All movement and made commitments to reach the goal of rigorous, inclusive, and sustainable computer science education for all U.S. students! The commitment to after school could really be felt by everyone at the conference. We're excited to help foster the development of computer science within after school and help further the CS for All movement here in Oregon!
Access and Equity Survey & Focus Groups

Why do youth attend your program? What would get more kids engaged? How are you helping kids be better prepared for the future? What are the biggest challenges preventing families or youth from participating in expanded learning opportunities? Ever wanted the answer to any of these questions? We wanted to know, so we started asking.

OregonASK is continuing the of work collecting data around issues of Access and Equity within Afterschool programs in Oregon. Last spring, we unveiled several survey tools to collect data from any afterschool program. These past couple months, we've been traveling around the state to hear from families and youth about how afterschool programs can better serve and engage communities. We've held several focus groups in Klamath Falls, Myrtle Creek, McMinnville, Umatilla, and Pendleton. For more information, be on the look out for out interim report on Access & Equity in Spring 2019!

In the meantime, if you are an afterschool program manager, director, or site coordinator, there is still time to take the Management Survey! If you are interested in having your direct service staff and youth take part in this state-wide survey, please contact Juan Soto
Upcoming Trainings
Leap into Science 

Leap into Science is a nationwide program developed by The Franklin Institute Science Museum that integrates open-ended science activities with children's books, designed for children ages 3-10 and their families. The program empowers educators to offer workshops in community settings like libraries, museums, and out-of-school time programs. This fun Science and Literacy content explores a new subject each year, and uses simple materials, play, and reading aloud to encourage young learners to build STEM identity.

Register Now  to attend our final Year 1 Balance Themed training in partnership with Umpqua Valley STEAM Hub
Supporting Afterschool STEM Policy

OregonASK was just awarded a grant from the Afterschool Alliance to support Afterschool STEM Strategic Quality Campaign. This work will engage local, state and national partners to raise awareness, align collaborative efforts and support partners in implementing quality afterschool STEM opportunities. We look forward to continuing this work with champions and stakeholders throughout Oregon over the next 8 months. If you are interested in learning more about this project, you can contact [email protected].
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(503) 689-1656 | [email protected] | www.oregonask.org