Innovation After School eNewsletter

Dear After School Providers,

Welcome to The Tech Museum of Innovation’s second edition of Innovation After School,  a resource eNewsletter designed to provide fun, relevant, and rigorous materials that support quality Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) for out-of-school time (OST) programming. Please share this edition with other educators and encourage them to register for future FREE editions at  pod.thetech.org.

After school programs play an important role in preparing our youth for 21st Century careers. How do we know? 71% of 4-H science participants nationwide say science is now one of their favorite subjects. 89% of First Robotics alumni go on to college. More than 80% of Techbridge girls improved problem-solving, computer, and technical skills through engineering challenges. Our hope is that the resources and opportunities in this eNewsletter will help you make a similar impact on your youth.

Gallery Glen

Photo Credit: Don Feria

If you have questions, suggestions, testimonials, or requests for future editions, please contact me at the email address below.

Stephanie Michele Barroso
Coordinator, School & After School Partnerships
sbarroso@thetech.org

Visit: thetech.org
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Curricular Resources

The Ten80 Student Racing Challenge is project-based learning that gives middle and high school students the opportunity to organize, operate, and own their own STEM company or team. Supported by a community of mentors and educators, young men and women collaborate and create in ways that mirror business and marketing executives, engineers, technicians, green transportation designers, and professional sports teams. Students learn to thrive in a team-oriented atmosphere while also learning the value of mathematics and physics. The Ten80 Student Racing Challenge aligns with Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Geyser Riser is a hands-on activity that will transform your students into physicists for the afternoon. This activity is ideal for grades 3 – 7 and can be completed with three simple household items. Expand the experience with Old Faithful Geyser photos, a National Park Service electronic field trip, and three additional related hands-on after school activities that include chemistry.

Techbridge, an Oakland-based nonprofit, is looking for a teacher-consultant to review science and engineering content in curriculum for staff working in middle school-based afterschool programs. The review will focus on accuracy, age appropriateness, and alignment with the NGSS. Contact Emily McLeod at emcleod@techbridgegirls.org

Professional Development

New! ASCE: Afterschool Computer Science Educators
California School Age Consortium (CalSAC) is looking for OST programs serving middle school youth to pilot the “ICT4me” curriculum from August 2014 - May 2016. Each program site will receive a monetary award of $1,000, plus curriculum, technical assistance, professional development, and $500 for the facilitator. The project will investigate the potential to impact youth interests in computer science learning and careers. Applications due February 21, 2014. Contact Zak Parpia at zparpia@calsac.org

Common Core Round Robin: Math
Discover the "WOW" in how hands-on math leads to creative explorations, fun, and meaningful associations that support the 8 Common Core Practices for students from early education to high school and beyond.

Teacher Opportunities

Photo Credit: Maryanna Rogers

Saturday, March 8, 2014
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Resource Area for Teachers (RAFT), San Jose
FREE for RAFT members; $15 for non-members

Teach Through Technology
This annual educational event sponsored by Silicon Valley Computer Using Educators (SVCUE) is for school and university personnel, parents, and other individuals who work with students. Sessions are for Pre-K – 12. Technology, math, humanities, common core, STEM and more… Click here for detailed session information, resources from past events, and a list of exhibitors. Drawings for door prizes will be held in the afternoon.

Saturday, March 8, 2014
The Harker School
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
$45 for SVCUE members; $55 for non-members

Events

Engineers Week @ The Tech
Join us February 15, 2014 - February 23, 2014 for a weeklong celebration of engineering! Engineers Week is a national event that brings engineering to life for people of all ages, and celebrates engineers and the difference they make in our world. Come and engineer an Ewok escape vehicle, build a Rube Goldberg device, program a human robot to perform in our RoboTheater, tinker with LED light sabers and hovercrafts in our Jedi ™ Tech Hands-On Science Workshop, and meet some of our favorite engineering role models and partners! Most programs free with museum admission.

The Tech Summer Camps
The Tech Summer Camps, powered by Galileo from June 9, 2014 – August 15, 2014, give aspiring scientists, engineers, designers, and makers entering grades 4 – 8 the chance to engage in a variety of riveting, real-world classes such as Robotics, Kitchen Chemistry, 3D Video Game Design, and more!

Plan you visit.What's new.

Photo Credit: Emily Ann Ramos

Sign up by  February 28 to save up to $10 per class or $20 per week based on a full-day program and guarantee a space in your first-choice class. Classes range from $289 - $518. Register at galileo-camps.com

5th Annual Dare 2B Digital Conference 
The Dare 2B Digital Conference is an endeavor to inspire young women in grades 7 – 10 to pursue careers in science and technology. This event will take place Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. at the Plug and Play Tech Center in Sunnyvale, CA. Over the last 4 years, 1000 middle and high school girls have attended and discovered exciting careers in science and technology at this unique collaboration between technology companies, educators, community partners, and parents. Registration is $49. Contact Brittney Jordan at 1-650-592-9227.

Funding

GTECH’s After School Advantage Program provides qualifying nonprofit community agencies with state-of-the-art, internet-ready computer centers. To date, computer centers have been created in 24 U.S. states. These centers provide a meaningful yet fun learning experience for children aged 5 –15 during the critical after school hours, in a safe environment. GTECH plans to establish over 100 computer labs, each valued at $15,000, with online technology and software to bridge the digital divide among at-risk children. Rolling deadline. 

Digital Wish is a lesson plan database centered on using digital media submitted by teachers. Aside from lesson plans, this website also offers opportunities for grants and funding to teachers. Digital Wish has donated over $10 million dollars to schools. Visit their website to learn more about how you can access lesson plans and apply for grants.

Field Trips

Photo Credit: Emily Ann Ramos

2014 Mantis Tiller Award for Community and Youth Gardens allows charitable and educational organizations to apply to create gardens for education and nutrition. Applications are due March 7, 2014.

STEM Resources