AFTERZONE

 SPRING 2015

   

Imagine Science Celebrates National Launch

 

Four of the nation's largest youth organizations, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, National 4-H Council, YMCA of the USA and Girls Inc. recently launched their joint Imagine Science  campaign.  Collectively, these organizations reach 18 million youth in every state and territory and have the potential to reach millions of underrepresented youth through enriching STEM experiences. Imagine Science was also listed as a commitment by the four organizations to the White House's  Educate to Innovate campaign, a nationwide public-private partnership to prepare students at every level for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

 

Leveraging the expertise of the organizations involved, Imagine Science will be a multifaceted project bringing mobile STEM labs to large audiences, hosting 1-2 day STEM Challenges and Expos, running summer camps, and engaging youth with one of the partner organizations during the school year.  This year, a pilot summer program will be rolled out in three cities, Dallas, TX, Omaha, NE, and Orange County, CA.  This past weekend, the campaign's first event took place, consisting of a booth at the Imaginology Youth Expo  at the Orange County Fair organized by the pilot program in Orange County.  Youth had the opportunity to take part in a booth called "Happy City Construction" constructing paper buildings that could be hooked up to the 'grid' of the imaginary city.

 

Click here for more briefs and resources from the Afterschool Alliance, and to subscribe to the Afterschool Snack.

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2015 Afterschool & Summer Learning
Day at the Capitol:

Wow! Another year has come and gone and we could not be any happier with the outcome and support for this year's Afterschool & Summer Learning Day at the Capitol.


 

On Tuesday, April 28th, OregonASK along with a large group of our closest friends and afterschool supporters convened at the Capitol building in Salem to advocate for expanded learning opportunities in Oregon. Participants representing multiple YMCA's,  21stCCLC programs, education foundations, afterschool programs, school districts, and more had individual appointments with 21 State Representatives and 17 State Senators! That is an unprecedented number of Legislative meetings plus the countless impressions we made in the Capitol Galleria.


 

A group of FIRST Robotics students from Umatilla School District made the trek to the Capitol to share their stories and projects with several Legislators. More participants came all the way from Medford, Florence, Eugene, and the Portland area.


 

Thank you all who came out to support the numerous expanded learning and STEM bills currently in Legislation. Be sure to stay up-to-date with the bills here.


STEM Beyond-the-Bell Convening Recap

On April 8th, OregonASK was honored to host major leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) for the STEM Beyond-the-Bell Convening. Facilitated by Jan Calvin of Full Circle Consulting, guests discussed the role of STEM in out-of-school-time (OST), or beyond-the-bell.

 

With keynote presentations by OEIB STEM Director Mark Lewis and FUSE Insight Chief Strategy Officer and Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) Foundation Board Chair Thompson Morrison, the Convening focused on how to create a single, unified voice to support STEM education.

 

The discussion driven event produced top outcomes, barriers and deliverables of providing OST STEM. The top six outcomes of informal STEM learning were:

  1. Increased availability and access to out-of-school programs for all students.
  2. Increased positive STEM self-identity and autonomy.
  3. Increased participation in inquiry-based activities.
  4. Increased partnerships with: schools, businesses/industry, and community institutions.
  5. Increased participation of underserved populations (low-income, students of color, girls).
  6. Increased parent and community awareness about the value of STEM education.
Checkout our website for the full Convening report.

Guests represented a broad range of organizations form all around Oregon including OEIB, State STEM Hubs, OMSI, Airway Science, OSU STEM Academy, OHSU, ADX Portland, The Boys & Girls Club, the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation, Science Works Museum, and many more.


Thank you to OMSI and OMSI President Nancy Stueber for generously hosting the Convening!

 


 


 

STEM Week Oregon

STEM Week Oregon is a state-wide movement to raise awareness, celebrate and engage young people in activities involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The event involves students, educators and communities across Oregon, and runs May 2 through May 10
  • Anyone, anywhere can participate.
  • Sample STEM activities are available.
  • No experience needed.
For more information, to find example STEM activities, and to register you program, visit the STEM Week webpage.
2015 Governor's Volunteer Awards

Do you know a volunteer who deserves recognition for their outstanding work? Is there a business with an exceptional volunteer program that you want to honor? Nominate them for a Governor's Volunteer Award!

 

The annual Oregon Governor's Volunteer Awards honors some of Oregon's most dedicated individuals and organizations for their commitment to voluntary service benefiting the state and its people. The awards are hosted by the Oregon Volunteers Commission for Voluntary Action and Service with presenting sponsor Wells Fargo. Award winners are recognized at the annual Oregon Governor's Volunteer Awards Luncheon.

 

The nomination deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2015. 

 

Click here to learn more or start your nomination!


Upcoming Events


OregonASK Roadshow Trainings in Medford, Newport and Bend


Bend: May 9
Exploring the Engineering Design Process with School Age Youth
Time: May 9, 1:00-4:00pm
Location: Riverbend Community Room
Cost: FREE
Register for the training HERE. See the flyer HERE. 

Teaching Successful Science Lessons in Afterschool
Time: 9am-noon
Location: Riverbend Community Room
Cost: FREE
Register for the training HERE. See the flyer HERE

SciGirls Curriculum Training for School Age Programs
Time:10:30am-5:00pm
Location: East Bend Library 
Cost: FREE
Register for the training HERE.

Newport: May 16
Teaching Successful Science Lessons in Afterschool 
Time: May 16, 2015 9am-Noon
Location: Hatfield Marine Science Center
Cost: FREE
See the flyer HERE.  Registration coming soon.

Exploring the Engineering and Design Process with School Age Youth  
Time: May 16, 2015 1:00-4:00pm
Location: Hatfield Marine Science Center
Cost: FREE
See the flyer 
HERE. Registration coming soon.

OregonASK Roadshow: OGCP Forums in Bend, Umatilla, and Newport
 
Oregon Girls Collaborative Project will be convening forums around the state with a focus on addressing issues of equity, access and quality as we provide programs and educators with the tools to serve more girls.

Read more about the forums and register HERE

Mythos Challenge Entries Due May 15

 

The Mythos Challenge is in full swing with workshops, videos, and online toolkits. We are quickly approaching the entry submission date of May 15. Visit the Mythos Project webpage to check out the challenge and find more information.

Resources & Opportunities
Win a $1,000 prize for your STEM Afterschool and Summer Program!

OregonASK is pleased to announce that the Noyce Foundation, with support from the C.S. Mott Foundation, has launched the STEM Uncovered: 2015 Video Competition challenging young people and their after school programs to creatively tell their stories about how STEM learning continues to keep them engaged and inspires their future career plans. For more information, see our announcement HERE

ADX Seeking Maker Instructors

ADX is a collaborative makerspace where individuals and organizations make and learn. By sharing tools, knowledge and experience, we're doing things better - by working together.ADX celebrates craftsmanship, innovation and entrepreneurship in its many forms, and is looking to add passionate and qualified instructors to the community.

 

Join ADX as an instructor and share your knowledge and experience with our members, and potential new members. ADX is seeking new class proposals as well as qualified individuals to teach existing classes. For more information, visit their website HERE.

Better Together: A Resource Directory for Afterschool System Builders
The American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) has created a helpful tool to support afterschool system building efforts. "Better Together: A Resource Directory for Afterschool System Builders," is a comprehensive directory that identifies over 50 organizations that offer resources and tools on afterschool system building. Staying on top of the ever-evolving list of national organizations and their work can be daunting, and this directory is a one-stop shop for information on the leading afterschool tools, information, and resources. 
Download the Directory HERE
Funding Opportunities
The mission of the Oregon Community Foundation is to improve life in Oregon and promote effective philanthropy. The Foundation's Community Grants Program supports projects that address one of the Foundation's four primary funding priorities: Nurture Children and Strengthen Families, Enhance Educational Opportunities, Increase Cultural Opportunities, and Preserve and Improve Oregon's Livability through Citizen Involvement. Grants, which generally average $20,000 to $22,000, are typically provided to small and moderate-sized nonprofit organizations.
Due July 31, 2015