STEAM Newsletter – Sparking Curiosity in the New School Year!
August 29, 2023
As the summer sun starts to bid us farewell and the leaves begin to change, we are thrilled to join you for another incredible school year that inspires curiosity and creativity! CAN is here to continue to provide STEAM events, professional learning opportunities, activities, and much more. Cheers to enhancing STEAM in Out of School Time (OST) and Expanded Learning Programs throughout our communities and beyond!
As you get ready to start this new school year, take a moment to relearn and reengage with Million Girls Moonshot’s four transformative practices that work together to foster inclusive STEM learning spaces for all youth, particularly girls:
- Equity and Inclusion
- Engineering Mindset
- Role Models, Mentors, and Families
- STEM Transitions and Pathways
Explore other MGM-related resources:
In This Newsletter:
Save on Your Internet Bill
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a federal program that helps make the Internet more affordable. Millions of Americans qualify for the program but aren’t taking advantage of the opportunity!
The benefit provides:
- Up to $30 per month toward internet service;
- Up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and
- A one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Techbridge Girls Equity Community of Practice
Application Deadline Extension - August 30
Techbridge Girls is excited to announce that applications are being accepted to join the Fall 2023 STEM Equity Learning Community. All out-of-school time (OST) supervisors and administrators for programs that serve Black, Indigenous, and Latina girls and gender-expansive youth are encouraged to apply.
*Participation in the CoP includes 4-5 sessions and stipends.
Teen Science Cafe Moonshot Fellows
$2,500 Stipend for Selected Participants!
Become a Teen Science Café Fellow! Teen Science Cafes are a free, fun way for teens to engage in lively conversations with STEM experts that explore the advances in science and technology that affect their lives. Teen Science Cafés are for teens, by teens. Cafés are typically run about an hour and a half once per month during the school year.
A $2,500 stipend is provided to selected participants to support the implementation of Teen Science Cafes.
Click2Engineering: Engineering Mindset Fall Community of Practice
Thursdays: September 14, September 28, October 12, and October 26 11:30 AM - 12:30PM PST
The Click2Engineering community of practice (CoP) introduces out-of-school time educators to the basics of engineering and leading engineering activities with youth. The CoP is organized around the 10 Practices for an Engineering Mindset, and includes hands-on engineering activities, developing engineering experiences for youth, and learning skills to facilitate engineering practices.
Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum Training
Tuesdays: October 17, and November 28, 10:00 - 11:00 AM PST
Register for each individual training session here!
Nurturing STEM Identity and Making Career Connections
Wednesdays: September 20, October 4 and 18, 8:00 - 10:00 AM PST
How do you help youth recognize their role in STEM? How do you help youth learn about STEM careers? Participants experience several easy-to-implement strategies, including a photo-elicitation activity that can help youth form STEM identities, and then learn how to conduct related activities 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. Completion of the Asking Purposeful Questions module is a prerequisite for this module.
REGISTER HERE Code: AC360ID
You’re a Computational Thinker
Wednesday September 20th 9:00 - 10:00 AM PST
Learn what computational thinking means and reflect on the ways in which you are already a computational thinker. Learn how you can help youth develop as computational thinkers and leave with strategies you put into use right away.
STEM Flights
STEM Flights is a national nonprofit organization that combines STEM education with a free flight experience for middle and high school students. They pair students with Pilot Mentors in their geographic area to receive a flight experience, learn about aviation and STEM careers, and connect with local aviation enthusiasts. Students complete the STEM Flights application, study online aviation and STEM curriculum, and submit a letter of recommendation before they are matched with a pilot.
Student applications are accepted year-round and in all 50 states. Learn more and apply today!
Afterschool & Summer Learning Activities
Looking for activities you can implement in your afterschool program today? Explore the resources below:
- First Woman Camp Experience: Hands-on activities that accompany NASA’s “First Woman” graphic novel series
- James Webb Space Telescope STEM Toolkit: Virtual and classroom resources related to the James Webb Space Telescope.
No Cost Activities!
Mizzen by Mott Foundation
Supported by the Mott Foundation, Mizzen is available at no cost to afterschool professionals! Encourage partners to download the Mizzen By Mott app to access STEM activities at your finger-touch! You’ll find it in Mizzen here.
Featured Activities & Playlists
- Playlist: STEAM Activities for Middle School at Home
- Playlist: STEM Activities for K-5th Grade
- Balloon Rockets Challenge
Recruit STEM Experts as Volunteers!
Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that – recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today!
The Moonshot helps to connect STEM experts with OST programs! Share your program’s volunteer opportunities for STEM experts to work with your youth today! Register here to find role models and mentors in STEM.
Check Out CAN’s Other Newsletters!
Access the CAN newsletter archives to view past newsletters today! You may be interested in some of our other newsletters as well: