August resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Trainings for August 2024

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)

Transformative Practices for August 2024

The Million Girls Moonshot aims to raise awareness of the following four research-based practices — Equity and Inclusion, Engineering Mindsets, Role Model, Mentors, and Families, and STEM Pathways and Transition — proven to remove barriers to access and quality STEM learning experiences. Resources, toolkits, blogs, and activities that elevate these four Transformative Practices can be found below and on the Million Girls Moonshot Toolkit

• Access to STEM Framework: To improve the overall quality of out-of-school STEM programs, we need to address how program providers design and implement programming to increase access in STEM for youth who have been underrepresented in the STEM fields. Partnering with the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) and national experts, we have developed an Access to STEM Framework — a guide for supporting program providers in this transformation. Download the Framework.
   
• Afterschool Math Plus - FHI 360: Afterschool Math Plus is an evidence-based program that provides fun, real-world mathematics activities for students in grades three through eight. Materials include a culturally relevant curriculum designed around four thematic units that engage children. Each unit emphasizes identity development, careers, role models, strategies for family involvement, and inclusion of students with disabilities through an equity lens.  Includes career connections.
   
• 5 Ways to Get Parents More Involved in Schools: When schools figure out how to truly partner and work with parents, caregivers, and families, it can be game-changing for students’ academic achievement and social-emotional skills. Check out five principles behind effective family and community engagement.
   
• Seven Ways to Promote Positive Communications With Families: One of the most meaningful and effective ways to improve rapport with families is by contacting them with positive news about their child. Together, positive communication systems are one of a handful of high-leverage practices that can help us build more cohesive and trusting school communities. Read about seven ways to promote positive communication with families, teachers, and afterschool programs.

STEM Learning Pathways & Career Awareness

Research also tells us that continuous engagement and exposure rather than limited one-time opportunities are needed to nurture the interest and motivation necessary for children to pursue STEM pathways long term. The Moonshot aims to understand and support transitions and handoffs that remove barriers for youth by connecting STEM learning across ages and settings, ensuring youth interest and motivation persists, especially for underrepresented groups like girls, youth of color, and youth from low-income families.

• Maryland Out of School Time College and Career Readiness Toolkit: This is a comprehensive guide to help middle and high school out-of-school-time programs get laser focused on building 21st century skills and supporting young people as they navigate through the complex world of planning for their advanced education and careers. We will be adding free and low cost professional development resources including videos, online courses and opportunities for live virtual training. Want to help MOST spread the word? Use the Social Media Sharing Resources to spread the word.
   
  • College and Career Readiness Middle School Playlist: This playlist is designed for middle school audiences focused on the College & Career Readiness Toolkit developed by the Maryland Out of School Time Network. This playlist distills the CCR Toolkit information into an actionable sequence for out-of-school time practitioners to implement with youth in their program. The Playlist consists of eight (8) 60-90 minute sessions aimed at middle school youth and one (1) session of pre-work for practitioners and organizational leaders only. Check out the accompanying CCR Middle School Playlist Youth Workbook.
     
• Career-Conneted-Learning-Contiuum-Framework: Framework highlights the “Career Connected Learning” as a continuum of awareness, exploration, preparation, and work experiences developed through strong public and private partnerships. Participants develop, apply, and are assessed on academic, technical, trade, and entrepreneurial skills that support their future career success.
   
• Improving workforce development and STEM education to preserve America’s innovation edge: New advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing are automating jobs, displacing workers, and requiring new skills from Americans. In this article, the author connects the need for STEM education, especially technology, in all aspects of life to workforce development and the future of the American economy.
   
• Career Exploration and Skill Development: This article from the US Dept of Education highlights key strategies for youth exploration of careers.

Activities for August 2024

• Statistical Science: In this activity kids learn about probability to determine the frequency of different colored M&M’s in a package of M&M candies. M&Ms normally come in six different colors: red, green, yellow, blue, orange, and brown. 
   
• Turn Milk into Plastic: Is it possible to make plastic out of milk? In the early 1900s until about 1945, milk was commonly used to make many different things from plastic. Milk plastic (usually called casein plastic) can be made easily.  In this activity youth make their own casein plastic out of hot milk and vinegar.
   
• Cyberchase_Biancas-Body-Math: In this Cyberchase activity, learners use math to explore how parts of the body are proportional. Learners make a measuring device out of string and then use it to measure the length of their forearms, the circumference of their fist, the circumference of their forehead, and the distance from their head to their toes.
   
• Cool It!: In this fun hands-on activity, learners use simple materials to investigate evaporation. How can the evaporation of water on a hot day be used to cool an object? Find out the experimental way! The activity is based on an episode of Cyberchase called "Digit's B-Day Surprise" and was developed to capture kids' interest in math.
   
• Reverse Engineering: Ball Bounce Experiment: In this activity, learners investigate the properties of different types of balls. Learners conduct experiments on four different balls to see which can bounce the highest and which continues bouncing for the longest period of time. Use this activity to talk about how each ball's properties are appropriate for their respective sport. This activity also coincides well with math graphing practice.