Join us in celebrating DNA Day
DNA Day Launch Prep Webinar
Join STEM Next for a DNA Day Launch Prep Webinar to equip afterschool educators and teachers with the tools and inspiration needed to host an engaging classroom experience! We'll break down everything from crafting a dynamic DNA Day lesson plan to exploring hands-on activities that will ignite youth curiosity about genetics and genomics.
STEM Next is partnering with global genomics leader Illumina on the “Future is Bright” campaign to bring the power and wonder of DNA science to afterschool and summer programs nationwide. Through hands-on activities like DNA extraction experiments and exclusive career chats with genomics leaders, we’re helping young people across America discover that innovation is truly in their DNA—and that breakthroughs in health, agriculture, and beyond all connect back to the power of genomics.
Free STEM Coaching from ACRES
Free STEM Coaching from ACRES
The ACRES project is now offering all STEM coaching materials for FREE—giving leaders like you the tools and resources to keep reflecting on the STEM lessons offered at your sites and within your programs. Check out ACRES Coaches Career Corner.
ACRES and its team of coaches have already made a lasting impact, with educators across 50 states embracing these tools and strategies. The modules, the handouts, and extensive videos are now yours to use at your own pace. The ACRES team is available to provide support as you carry the work forward. Please reach out to acres@mmsa.org if you have questions or join one of their Zoom sessions where they will give you a tour of what is available. Here's the form to sign up for upcoming info sessions about the free ACRES resources.
Info session dates/times:
Wednesday, April 16th from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM Eastern (8:30-9:30 AM Pacific Time)
Wednesday, May 21st from 2:30-3:30 PM Eastern (11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time)
Wednesday, June 11th from 4 PM - 5 PM Eastern (1 PM - 2 PM Pacific Time)
Clover Model for Youth Development (Free training and curriculum for middle school!)
Clover Model for Youth Development (Free training and curriculum for middle school!)
Clover for Youth is a 6-session curriculum designed to help middle school students understand and advocate for their own social-emotional needs and gain skills in navigating social situations. The curriculum uses the research-backed Clover Model of Youth Development to support youth in building an understanding of their own social-emotional needs as well as the needs of others. Each session includes multiple activities that get youth moving, talking, and reflecting on key concepts.
Clover for Youth is looking for programs working with middle school aged youth who will be meeting with the same group of students over a period of days/weeks during the summer of 2025. Participating programs will need to have time in their schedule to run six 90-minute sessions and would need to have at least one committed staff member who is able to attend the training, review the materials, and facilitate the sessions.
Become a Teach Engineering Champion
Become a Teach Engineering Champion
Teach Engineering Champions are dedicated educators who advance engineering education by integrating hands-on experiences and advocating for STEM in their communities. They mentor peers, lead professional development, and stay updated on best practices. The Teach Engineering Champions Institute (TECI) offers annual training to enhance these skills, focusing on engineering pedagogy and design. TECI participants become leaders in promoting engineering education and receive ongoing support through quarterly webinars.
Free STEM Coaching from ACRES
Free STEM Coaching from ACRES
The ACRES project is now offering all STEM coaching materials for FREE—giving leaders like you the tools and resources to keep reflecting on the STEM lessons offered at your sites and within your programs. Check out ACRES Coaches Career Corner.
ACRES and its team of coaches have already made a lasting impact, with educators across 50 states embracing these tools and strategies. The modules, the handouts, and extensive videos are now yours to use at your own pace. The ACRES team is available to provide support as you carry the work forward. Please reach out to acres@mmsa.org if you have questions or join one of their Zoom sessions where they will give you a tour of what is available. Here's the form to sign up for upcoming info sessions about the free ACRES resources.
Info session dates/times:
Wednesday, May 21st from 2:30-3:30 PM Eastern (11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time)
Wednesday, June 11th from 4 PM - 5 PM Eastern (1 PM - 2 PM Pacific Time)
Free STEM Coaching from ACRES
Free STEM Coaching from ACRES
The ACRES project is now offering all STEM coaching materials for FREE—giving leaders like you the tools and resources to keep reflecting on the STEM lessons offered at your sites and within your programs. Check out ACRES Coaches Career Corner.
ACRES and its team of coaches have already made a lasting impact, with educators across 50 states embracing these tools and strategies. The modules, the handouts, and extensive videos are now yours to use at your own pace. The ACRES team is available to provide support as you carry the work forward. Please reach out to acres@mmsa.org if you have questions or join one of their Zoom sessions where they will give you a tour of what is available. Here's the form to sign up for upcoming info sessions about the free ACRES resources.
Info session dates/times:
Wednesday, June 11th from 4 PM - 5 PM Eastern (1 PM - 2 PM Pacific Time)
Math Fluency Games Series
Math Fluency Games Series
Part 3 March 6th 1-2pm EST (10-11am PST)
Come engage in fluency math games and activities that support youth in learning math facts and becoming fluent in computation while having fun in the process! Note: These are free, live sessions. Please register for each session you are interested in attending. FMI email acres@mmsa.org.
STEM Educator Workshop: Engineering in Middle School
STEM Educator Workshop: Engineering in Middle School
January 12th
During this workshop, participants will engage with the professional learning team in a hands-on workshop focused on Youth Engineering Solutions (YES) middle school curriculum. This full-day, learner-driven workshop introduces participants to the concepts of engineering and computer science and prepares them to facilitate high-quality STEM with students.
Math Fluency Games Series
Math Fluency Games Series
Part 1 January 3rd 1-2pm EST (10-11am PST)
Part 2 February 6th 1-2pm EST (10-11am PST)
Part 3 March 6th 1-2pm EST (10-11am PST)
Come engage in fluency math games and activities that support youth in learning math facts and becoming fluent in computation while having fun in the process! Note: These are free, live sessions. Please register for each session you are interested in attending. FMI email acres@mmsa.org.
STEM Educator Workshop: Engineering in Elementary School
STEM Educator Workshop: Engineering in Elementary School
February 6, 2025
During this workshop, participants will engage with the professional learning team in a hands-on workshop focused on Youth Engineering Solutions (YES) elementary school curriculum. This full-day, learner-driven workshop introduces participants to the concepts of engineering and prepares them to facilitate high-quality engineering with students.
Make Math Engaging
Are you looking for fun ways to help youth build number sense and problem-solving skills? Math can take on new meaning when integrated into daily routines in our afterschool programs
Museum of Science Boston — 2 Day STEM Leader Institute: Engineering in PK- 8
Museum of Science Boston — 2 Day STEM Leader Institute: Engineering in PK- 8
January 22-23
During this two-day workshop, participants will engage with the professional learning team in hands-on explorations of the PreK-8 curricular resources and pedagogical frameworks that define high-quality engineering education. Participants will feel prepared to facilitate immersive workshops and support educators implementing the YES and EiE curriculum.
Make Math Engaging
Are you looking for fun ways to help youth build number sense and problem-solving skills? Math can take on new meaning when integrated into daily routines in our afterschool programs
ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice
ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice
Wednesdays, 11/20, 12/4, 12/18 1:00-3:00pm EST / 10:00 - noon PST
How often do youth in your program get to choose what they’re investigating or designing, the materials they might use and/or how they engage with the work? In this module, participants try out strategies for elevating youth voice and choice and apply the ideas as they redesign a STEM activity to incorporate a greater variety of youth input. *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. REGISTER with Code: AC442VC (Coach Becky T)
ACRES: Monthly Math Tasters
ACRES: Monthly Math Tasters
ACRES is excited to be offering monthly Math Tasters! Our first Math Taster mini-series will be "Engaging Math Routines". Math routines are a great way to build on youth’s natural curiosity and provide ample opportunity for rich, authentic math discourse. The schedule for this series is as follows:
Engaging Math Routines: Which One Is Unique?
Thursday, November 21st 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern (10-11 am Pacific)
Please REGISTER for each session you are interested in attending.
ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice
ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice
Wednesdays, 11/20, 12/4, 12/18 1:00-3:00pm EST / 10:00 - noon PST
How often do youth in your program get to choose what they’re investigating or designing, the materials they might use and/or how they engage with the work? In this module, participants try out strategies for elevating youth voice and choice and apply the ideas as they redesign a STEM activity to incorporate a greater variety of youth input. *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. REGISTER with Code: AC442VC (Coach Becky T)
ACRES Coaching: Facilitating Engineering Practices
ACRES Coaching: Facilitating Engineering Practices
Tuesday, 10/22 3:00-5:00 pm EST / Noon - 2:00pm PST
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.
*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. REGISTER HERE Code: AC423EP (Coach Emma C)
ACRES: Monthly Math Tasters
ACRES: Monthly Math Tasters
Thursday October 17th 1:00-2:00pm EST / 10:00-11:00 am PST
ACRES is excited to be offering monthly Math Tasters! Our first Math Taster mini-series will be "Engaging Math Routines". Math routines are a great way to build on youth’s natural curiosity and provide ample opportunity for rich, authentic math discourse. The schedule for this series is as follows:
Engaging Math Routines: Esti-Mysteries
Thursday, October 17th 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern (10-11 am Pacific)
Engaging Math Routines: Which One Is Unique?
Thursday, November 21st 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern (10-11 am Pacific)
Please REGISTER for each session you are interested in attending.
ACRES Coaching: Nurturing STEM Identity and Making Career Connections
ACRES Coaching: Nurturing STEM Identity and Making Career Connections
Wednesdays: 10/16/2024 noon - 2:00 pm EST / 9:00 am - 11:00 am PST
Questions begin a path toward 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 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. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. REGISTER HERE Code: AC421ID (Coach Emma C)
ACRES: Facilitating Engineering Practices
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.
ACRES Coaching: Nurturing STEM Identity and Making Career Connections
ACRES Coaching: Nurturing STEM Identity and Making Career Connections
Wednesdays: 10/2, 10/16/2024 noon - 2:00 pm EST / 9:00 am - 11:00 am PST
Questions begin a path toward 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 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. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. REGISTER HERE Code: AC421ID (Coach Emma C)
ACRES: Facilitating Engineering Practices
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.
ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
ACRES Coaching: Making Math Engaging
ACRES Coaching: Making Math Engaging
Thursdays: 8/22, 9/5, 9/19/2024 1:00 - 3:00 pm EST / 10:00 am- Noon PST
Are you looking for fun ways to help youth build number sense and problem-solving skills? Math can take on new meaning when it is integrated into daily routines in our afterschool programs. In this module, afterschool educators will explore and practice strategies for making math engaging and accessible.*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: AC358MP (Coach Becky T)
ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice (For OST professionals who have completed Asking Purposeful Questions)
ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice (For OST professionals who have completed Asking Purposeful Questions)
Wednesdays: 7/10, 7/24, 8/7/2024 Noon - 2:00 pm EST / 9:00 am - 11:00 am PT
How often do youth in your program get to choose what they’re investigating or designing, the materials they might use and/or how they engage with the work? In this module, participants try out strategies for elevating youth voice and choice and apply the ideas as they redesign a STEM activity to incorporate a greater variety of youth input. *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. REGISTER HERE Code: AC356VC (Coach Becky T)
ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
Mondays: 7/22, and 8/5/2024 2:00- 4:00 pm EST / 11:00 am- 1:00 pm PST
Questions begin a path toward 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 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. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. REGISTER HERE AC357PQ (Coach Becky T)
Teen Science Cafe Fellows- 2024-2025 Application Due
Teen Science Cafe Fellows- 2024-2025 Application Due
Applications Due August 1, 2024
Teen Science Cafe Fellows- 2024-2025 Apply Now!
The Teen Science Cafe (TSC) Fellows initiative is a ten-month training program designed to help informal educators implement Teen Science Cafes in their community. Teen Science Cafe Fellows receive one-on-one support from TSC Guides to launch a cafe program and host three cafe events during the year. Fellows receive a $2,500 stipend to support their work!
Applications are now open - Apply by August 1, 2024
ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice (For OST professionals who have completed Asking Purposeful Questions)
ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice (For OST professionals who have completed Asking Purposeful Questions)
Wednesdays: 7/10, 7/24, 8/7/2024 Noon - 2:00 pm EST / 9:00 am - 11:00 am PT
How often do youth in your program get to choose what they’re investigating or designing, the materials they might use and/or how they engage with the work? In this module, participants try out strategies for elevating youth voice and choice and apply the ideas as they redesign a STEM activity to incorporate a greater variety of youth input. *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. REGISTER HERE Code: AC356VC (Coach Becky T)
ACRES: Info Session about Micro-credentials and Digital Badging
ACRES: Info Session about Micro-credentials and Digital Badging
Tuesday, July 23rd 2:00 - 3:00 pm EST / 11:00 am- Noon PST
ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM) is excited to offer additional Information Sessions about STEM micro-credentials, which are competency-based, digital badges for afterschool and out-of-school professionals offered through the National Afterschool Association. These sessions are free, live, interactive, and one hour in length. You will learn about what Micro-credentials are and how to apply for them. PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM, choose the date that works best for you, and we'll reach out to you with the Zoom link. FMI contact acres@mmsa.org (Note: It isn’t necessary to attend more than one informational session as the content is consistent.)
ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
Mondays: 7/22, and 8/5/2024 2:00- 4:00 pm EST / 11:00 am- 1:00 pm PST
Questions begin a path toward 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 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. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. REGISTER HERE AC357PQ (Coach Becky T)
ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice (For OST professionals who have completed Asking Purposeful Questions)
ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice (For OST professionals who have completed Asking Purposeful Questions)
Wednesdays: 7/10, 7/24, 8/7/2024 Noon - 2:00 pm EST / 9:00 am - 11:00 am PT
How often do youth in your program get to choose what they’re investigating or designing, the materials they might use and/or how they engage with the work? In this module, participants try out strategies for elevating youth voice and choice and apply the ideas as they redesign a STEM activity to incorporate a greater variety of youth input. *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. REGISTER HERE Code: AC356VC (Coach Becky T)
ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
Mondays: 7/22, and 8/5/2024 2:00- 4:00 pm EST / 11:00 am- 1:00 pm PST
Questions begin a path toward 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 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. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. REGISTER HERE AC357PQ (Coach Becky T)
ACRES Coaching: Make Math Engaging
ACRES Coaching: Make Math Engaging
Mondays: 6/3, 6/17, and 7/1 from 10AM- 12PM EST / 7AM - 9:00AM PST
Are you looking for fun ways to help youth build number sense and problem-solving skills? Math can take on new meaning when it is integrated into daily routines in our afterschool programs. In this module, afterschool educators will explore and practice strategies for making math engaging and accessible. REGISTER with Code: AC352MP (Coach Becky T)
*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.