Check out The Million Girls Moonshot’s October Quality Trainings!
The Moonshot will be active in out-of-school programs in all 50 states, leveraging the Mott-funded 50 State Afterschool Network, which has access to more than 10 million youth and 100,000 afterschool programs across the country. NJSACC will bring you The Million Girl Moonshot monthly newsletter. Each month we will be rounding up accessible training opportunities, role models, and most importantly STEM activities for New Jersey’s after school community.
This month we celebrate International World Space Week “Space and Sustainability”, a celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. Each year, Space Week is held October 4-10th to commemorate two important events:
- October 4, 1957: Launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, thus opening the way for space exploration
- October 10, 1967: The signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
Join thousands of participants in over 90 countries celebrating sustainability in space, and sustainability from space. Find activities, events, host an event and learn more at World Space Week Association (WSWA).
ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Engineering Practices
- Dates: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST on the following Tuesdays: 10/4/2022, 10/18/2022, 11/01/2022
Engineering has become a staple of STEM programming for youth. How can we confidently bring engineering into our programming and support youth as they engage in problem solving? In this module, participants gain first-hand experience with engineering by solving a design problem. They examine the components of the engineering design process and discuss ways to model the process with youth. Asking Purposeful Questions is a prerequisite to this skill. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Register: Use the code AC281EP
ACRES Training Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions
- Dates: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST on the following Wednesdays: 10/19/2022, 11/02/2022, 11/16/2022
Questions begin a path towards discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train new summer staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice. This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Register: Use the code AC241PQ
Best Practice Webinar: Addressing STEM Stereotypes with Youth and Young Adults
- Date: October 13, 2022 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST / 2:00 – 3:00 PM EST
This webinar, the first of a two-webinar series, will dig deeply into research and best practices related to addressing STEM stereotypes with older youth and young adults. Researchers and educators will share strategies and resources to counter and break down STEM stereotypes. Speakers include: Claudia Fracchiolla, American Physical Society (APS), Michelle Higgins, The University of Arizona, Corinne Okada Takara, Bioartist and STEAM Educator. (Register and learn more via link above).
Best Practice Webinar: Addressing STEM Stereotypes with Young Children
- Date: October 20th 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST / 2:00 – 3:00 PM EST
This webinar, the second in the series, will dive into research and best practices related to addressing STEM stereotypes with young children beginning in preschool. Researchers and educators will share strategies and resources for discussing and addressing STEM stereotypes with young children. Speakers include: Dr. Allison Master, University of Houston College of Education, Carmelo Piazza, Brooklyn Preschool of Science, Kim Collazo, Public School Educator & Author. (Register and learn more via link above).
Quality STEM Webinar: DOS Certification Training
- Date: October 19-20 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM PST / 10:00 – 4:00 PM EST (register by October 5)
The training process involves a two-day live webinar training, completion of video calibration exercises, a one-hour live calibration session, and successful completion of two practice observations in the field. PEAR staff offer live, webinar DoS training monthly and in-person training for state networks or organizations can be arranged as needed for an additional cost. PEAR staff provides ongoing technical assistance, quarterly data reports, and online data management support for all DoS observers for two years post-certification.
Best Practice Webinar: Creating Inclusive Computer Science Learning: A Virtual Workshop
- Date: October 25 3:00 PM EST
Join the Click2ComputerScience team as they review specific strategies to create an inclusive computer science learning environment in out of school time. You will leave the workshop with specific tactics to implement, computer science activities and resources to continue your professional learning on computer science.
Best Practice Webinar: Preparing yourself to Lead Computer Science: A Virtual Workshop
- Date: November 8 3:00 PM EST
Join the Click2ComputerScience team as they review specific strategies and ways out of school time educators can prepare themselves, their programs, and space to lead computer science with youth. You will leave the workshop with specific tactics to implement, computer science activities and resources to continue your professional learning on computer science.
Quality STEM Webinar: Recertification Training for DOS Observers
- Date: November 8, 2022 7:00 – 10:00 AM PST / 10:00 – 1:00 PM EST (register by October 25)
Please note that observers that have been certified for two or more years need to complete recertification to make sure they are continuing to use the tool reliably.
ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Science Practices
- Dates: 6:30 PM- 8:30 PM EST on the following Tuesdays: 11/8/2022, 11/29/2022, 12/13/2022
How can we make sure that ‘hands on’ science experiences for youth are also ‘minds on?’ In this module, participants learn how to support youth as they engage in the science practices to learn science ideas, including planning and conducting investigations around testable questions. They’ll talk about the similarities and differences of questioning in science versus questioning in engineering contexts. Register: Use the code AC283SP
ACRES Training Cohort: ACRES Taster Workshop
- Dates: 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM EST on Thursday December 8, 2022
Come together to experience a sampling of ACRES skills. This 1-hour virtual taster session will have you reflecting on when you give youth a voice, and thinking about how you can embed math into your daily routines and will showcase lots of virtual tools. Join this live, free, hands-on, and very engaging session and you’ll be sure to leave with lots of strategies to help you facilitate STEM in your afterschool programs. Register: Use the code AC290WS
Quality STEM Webinar: Dimensions of Success Program Planning Tool
- Dates: January 23rd and 25th 10:30 – 12:-00 PM PT1:30 – 3:00 PM ET (register by January 5, 2023)
The DoS-PPT is a free resource for facilitators of out-of-school and in-school STEM learning programs. The planning tool provides a brief introduction to each dimension of the DoS framework, sample videos, and examples to guide the use of DoS when preparing activity plans for youth. During this training, participants will:
- Develop high-level understanding of the DoS Framework, dimensions of quality
- Working with the PPT learn how to plan high quality STEM learning experiences using the DoS Program Planning Tool
- Work with the newly revised DoS Program Planning Tool to identify and plan for high-quality program and activity planning practices.
Role Models Matters Training for STEM Volunteers
Ready to train volunteers and role models in your Network, school, or afterschool program? COMPLETE THIS REGISTRATION FORM to gain access to the Role Models Matter training developed by Techbridge Girls.
Youth Engineering Solutions (YES) Out of School: Field Testing Opportunity
Wondering how you might infuse engineering into your afterschool program, and are you especially interested in materials that are designed with English learners in mind? Dr. Christine Cunningham and her team at Penn State University are inviting 22 educators across the US to help develop afterschool engineering curricular materials for youth ages 9-13. Selected educators will be supported through asynchronous professional learning, will receive all curricular materials, and will be asked for their insights and reflections to improve the experience for youth. Access the educator recruitment letter from Dr. Cunningham and apply by October 15, 2022 through this link.
ACRES Moonshot Virtual STEM Coach
Are you an afterschool leader and looking to build capacity for STEM engagement in your afterschool program? Would you like to train your staff through a live, nationally recognized coaching program? In partnership with the Million Girls Moonshot, the ACRES team is looking for job-secure afterschool program leaders (i.e. Site Directors, Site Coordinators, STEM Specialists, Professional Development and Training staff) who work directly with frontline staff to be trained to become an ACRES Virtual STEM Coach. As an ACRES Virtual STEM Coach, you will build your organization’s capacity by training 3 to 6 members of your staff in at least 2 ACRES modules. This is your chance to be part of an educational change on how we train and support educators to facilitate high quality, engaging STEM that reaches all youth. You will receive a $500 stipend to attend the training plus $1000 for every cohort you coach. Sign up today!
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!
VolunteerMatch attracts more than 1M site visits each month, and is easily one of the best ways to find strong role models for the youth you serve.
The Moonshot has partnered with VolunteerMatch to connect STEM experts with OST programs! Create a free VolunteerMatch account and post volunteer opportunities to work with your youth today! Register here to find role models and mentors in STEM.
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
- Mizzen Playlist: STEM Activities for K-5th Grade in Small Groups – This playlist is a great mix of engineering and science activities that are easy and fun for small groups of students.
- Mizzen Playlist: Science Notebooks for 3rd – 12th Grade – Keeping a notebook can help your students think and act like scientists and engineers. Sample these easy-to-implement strategies and lessons to bring science notebooking into your program.
- Mizzen Module: S.INQ Up Earth and Space for 6-8th Grade – Earth and Space is an inquiry and exploration-based curriculum that uses hands-on activities focused on the relationships between the earth, the solar system, and human impacts on our global environment.
- Activity Toolkit: STEM Educators Academy Activity Toolkit from ExpandED Schools — This Activity Toolkit offers hybrid learning engineering design challenges, STEM facilitation skill builder videos, and engineering design activities categorized by content areas.
- Activity Toolkit: Engineering is Elementary’s NASA Partnership free units – A suite of free NASA-funded STEM resources for students in grades 3-8. All resources are research-based and classroom-tested. They are designed to support students’ understanding of space, while helping them see themselves as capable problem solvers.
- Space Week Resource: NGCP Archived Webinar: Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA Free Resources – In this webinar, presenters provide an overview of the Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA program and free resources, including a range of computer-based and paper-based activities, print products, and a Program Cookbook for facilitators.
- Space Week Resource: NASA’s STEM Resources for K-12 Educators – NASA lesson plans, resources, and opportunities for K-12 educators.
- Space Week Resource: NASA: A Day in the Life Aboard the International Space Station – Follow astronauts on the International Space Station in a series of videos as they explain their daily routines. Educators can use this series of videos and resources to enhance K-12 STEM curricula.
- Space Week Resource: Museum of Aviation: 2022 Space Week Resources – Find information on the Museum of Aviation’s live virtual astronomy presentations, virtual presentations and workshops for educators, and more in celebration of Space Week.
#GIRLSLEADSTEM
This October, join a national public awareness campaign to celebrate #GirlsLeadSTEM Month by elevating the voices and stories of girls and young women in STEM.
Add #GirlsLeadSTEM to your existing work, events, stories and more that highlight girls in STEM.
ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION
Space Week and World Architecture Day
These assets feature IF/THEN Ambassador Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil, Postdoctoral Researcher, Steward Observatory, and can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and conference presentations
- STEM Journey, Long Profile, Ambassador Profile, Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil
World Architecture Day
These assets feature IF/THEN Ambassador Emily Pilloton, Founder and Director of Girls Garage, and can be used in marketing, presentations, social media, and conference presentations
- STEM Journey, Long Profile, On-the-Job, Emily Pilloton
