Shine the Lights On for Afterschool All Year Long 

Lights On Afterschool Day was celebrated nationwide on October 22 to point a spotlight on the people and programs that help young people thrive beyond the bell. Build on that momentum and keep celebrating afterschool year-round! Rosemary McBride, Ph.D., 21st CCLC Program Consultant, is helping lead the way by sharing a new report on the impact of Wyoming’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers. “The numbers speak for themselves," she stated. "When Wyoming students consistently attend our 21st CCLC afterschool programs, their grades, behavior, and school-day attendance all improve. These programs are strengthening our families, our schools, and our communities.”

Learn How Math Hero Jason Campbell Solves Problems with His Head in the Clouds 

There’s nothing quite like the simple exhilaration offered by a swing set. Once put in motion, you fly into the sky propelled by your own momentum. Did you know that a swing is also a math problem solver?  Jason Campbell remembers working with his daughter on a difficult math problem. The solution wasn’t appearing easily. He told her, “Don’t get frustrated by it. Take a little break and come back and reattack it from a different angle.” Instead of staying stuck, she took a break. She went to the swing set and let her mind wander. A few minutes later, she returned with a fresh perspective and a pencil.   

Learn more about how math shows up in Jason's life, through our series on Wyoming's Uncommon Math Heroes!  

21st CCLC Programs Invited to Explore Math Attitudes  

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC) is hosting "Math Mindsets: Addressing Math Anxiety by Building Confidence and Positive Math Identities" on Thursday, October 29 at 11:00am-12:00pm via Zoom. Explore how out-of-school time (OST) staff can help students develop healthier attitudes toward math by understanding the role thoughts, emotions, and beliefs play in learning. This first session in a two-part series focuses on the 21st CCLC NTAC Math Toolkit. You’ll leave with practical strategies for creating positive math experiences that support engagement and persistence. 

Are you looking for more ways to help young people change the way they see math? Read our Uncommon Math Heroes series! 

Read it Now: Cultivating STEM Resilience in Reflection

How can we make afterschool and summer learning experiences even better for young people across Wyoming? WYEN partnered with PEAR to bring its research-backed Clover Model of Youth Development into the Wyoming Summer Mentors program, helping mentors better understand and support young people. The model offers a practical framework for building active engagement, assertiveness, belonging and reflection—four key ingredients in positive youth development. What began as a workshop has grown into an approach that supports mentor development, reflective leadership and stronger organizations across the state. This partnership shows how research, meaningful relationships and collaboration can help Wyoming’s out-of-school programs create more opportunities for young people to learn, grow and thrive.

 Read PEAR’s full article to learn how WYEN is turning research into lasting impact. 

Bring Halloween Creativity to Your Program with Mizzen 

Need some ideas for Halloween? Mizzen has teamed up with Rediscover Center to create Handmade Halloween, a collection of ten creative activities for grades K–12. Young people can build cardboard pumpkins, design masquerade masks, make movable puppets, transform recycled materials into monsters, and more. With activities ranging from 25-minute projects to longer creative sessions, there are options for different ages, schedules, and supplies. Let young people experiment, make something of their own, and bring a little Halloween fun to your program! 

Explore A Future in Tech with the AiC Award 

Do you know a high school student interested in technology, computing or engineering? The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) High School Award recognizes students in grades 9–12 at all skill levels, from beginners to experienced tech enthusiasts. Students can earn national recognition to add to college or job applications while joining a free community that offers inspiration, resources, and opportunities to explore their interests. The application deadline is Tuesday, October 27. Note that students may need parental permission, and it typically takes 1-2 hours to complete.