September 15th through October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month

Dolores Huerta - Labor Leader / Civil Rights Activist

"Let's teach kids, at the kindergarten level, what the contributions of people of color were to the building of the United States of America." - Dolores Huerta

Rigoberta Menchu' Tum - Guatemalan Indigenous Rights Activist  and Nobel Peace Prize Winner

"Peace cannot exist without justice, justice cannot exist without fairness, fairness cannot exist without development, development cannot exist without democracy, democracy cannot exist without respect for the identity and worth of cultures and peoples."

September 15th to October 15th in the United States is when we in the Expanded Learning field can engage our youth in learning activities that recognize the contributions that our brothers and sisters from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, and Belize have made to make our world a better place.

September was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. All declared independence in 1821. In addition, Mexico, Chile, and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16th, September 18th, and September 2nd respectively.

Here are a few additional activity resources for you and your Expanded Learning staff to possibly engage your scholars in:

a) National Hispanic Heritage Month Activities (Free) (Grades K-12) (NEA)

b) Bring National Hispanic Heritage Month to Life (Free) (Grades K-8) (Scholastic)

c) Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Free) (Grades K-6) (Education World)

STEM / Expanded Learning and Other Pertinent Education Articles:

1) Explore Why High School Expectations Matter (Achieve.org)

2) Woodland Teachers Explore Sunflower Science
    (Woodland Daily Democract article by Cutter Hicks, 8/3/18)

3) Physical Computing Is Heading to Education: What You Need To Know
    (EDWEEK Market Brief article by Nikki Navta, 9/6/18)

4) Integrating Social Emotional Learning Isn't Easy. Here How It Is Done.
    (Education Week article by David Adams, 9/6/18)

5) Summer programs increase STEM learning opportunities for
    visually impaired students
    (Education Dive article by Linda Jacobson, 8/21/18)

6) STEM Worker Shortage at a Crisis Survey Shows
    (U.S. News and World Report article by Sintia Radu, 8/23/18)

7) 5 Proven Benefits of Play
    (NPR article by Anya Kamenetz, 8/31/18)

8) Race, Discipline, and Safety at U.S. Public Schools
   (Report by the ACLU)

9) Immigration and Afterschool 
    (LIAS Blogpost, 8/29/18)

10) The Most Popular High School Plays and Musicals
      (NPR article by Elissa Nadworny, 8/1/18)


STEAM (other core content) Activities / Websites / Podcast: 

1) PBS Design Squad Activity Guides 
    (Free to Download) (Grades 3-12)

2) CA Academy of Science Lesson Plans 
    (Free to Download) (Grades Pre-K to 12th)

3) PBS Design Squad Electricity and Circuits 
    (Lesson Plans)

4) PBS Design Squad Engineering Design Process 
    (Lesson Plans)

5) PBS Design Squad Green Design 
    (Lesson Plans)

6) PBS Design Squad Helping Others STEM Challenges 
    (Lesson Plans)

7) PBS Design Squad Simple Machines 
    (Lesson Plans)

8) PBS Design Squad Structures 
    (Lesson Plans)

9) Top 5 Ways to Welcome Students Back To School
    (Scholastic Lesson Plans) (Pre - K to 5th)

10) From Poverty to Rocket Scientist to CEO, A Girl Scout's Inspiring Story
      (NPR Podcast by Elissa Nadworny, 9/5/18)

11) To Raise Confident, Independent Kids, Some Parents are Trying "Let Grow"
      (NPR Podcast by Deena Prichep, 9/3/18)


STEM / Educational Grants: 

1) ASES Kids Code (Due November 5, 2018)

2) Afterschool Alliance Grant Page

3) Bank of the West Grant Page

4) CAN Funding Opportunities Webpage

5) The Impact Foundry Grant Page

STEAM / Miscellaneous Professional Learning Sessions / Contest / Events:

1) NBA Math Hoops (September 20, 2018) (Free)
    (Grades 4-8)

2) California STEAM Symposium
    (Fee: $350) (Dates: October 28-29, 2018)

3) How Kids Learn Conference
    (Fee: $125) (Date: December 6, 2018)

4) SMUD Free Educational Workshops

5) Hacker Lab Workshops

Thanks again for all that you do in the field. Please keep us posted about STEM 
events / activities in your area. Please feel free to contact us at any time.

Monica Gonzalez-Williams (SCOE: Region 3: After School Regional Lead):
mgonzalez@scoe.net

Phil Romig (SCOE: Science Curriculum Specialist): promig@scoe.net

Mark Drewes (SCOE: Project Specialist II: Expanded Learning) mdrewes@scoe.net    

February is Black History Month: Do you know about........

As we celebrate Black History Month with our students, let us also take time to highlight these hidden STEM figures:

Lewis Howard Latimer

1) Lewis Howard Latimer - Though Thomas Edison is recognized as the inventor of the light bulb, African-American inventor Lewis Latimer played an important role in its development. In 1881, Latimer patented a method for making carbon filaments, allowing light bulbs to burn for hours instead of minutes.

Dr. Jane Cook Wright

2) Dr. Jane Cooke Wright - After earning her medical degree in 1945 from New York Medical College, Dr. Wright went on to do pioneering work in cancer treatment. In 1949, she took a position at Harlem Hospital, where her father was the director of Cancer Research Foundation. After his death in 1952, she took his position at just age 33.

Ray Gilstrap - Electrical Engineer

3) Ray Gilstrap - An electrical engineer at NASA Ames Research Center. He has helped set up an maintain satellite internet services for different scientific expeditions. His work has taken him all over the world, including to an island in the Arctic where he helped with communications at a climate change research station.

Nancy Douyon - Human Factors Engineer

3) Nancy Douyon - A human factors engineer and user experience research program manager at GOOGLE. Among other projects, she works on making Android phones user-friendly, intuitive and adaptive to different users.


Here are some STEM / Black History Month Resources for you and your staff:

a) Build a Light Bulb - Circuits Activity

b) Engineering Activities

c) 28 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month (Scholastic Activities)

d) Black History Month Lessons and Resources (National Education Association)

e) 28 Days of Art Activities for Black History Month (Creative Child)

f) PBS Learning Media Black History Month Resources (PBS)

g) Black History Month Celebration (Crocker Art Museum)
    (Date: February 18, 2018) (Time: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm)

h) CSUS Black History Month Events (CSUS)

i) U.C. Davis Calendar of Events (U.C. Davis)

j) Famous Black Engineers Throughout History (How Stuff Works)

k) 12 Women Whose Names You Should Know (Refinery 29)

Now let us check-in on Region 3 Expanded Learning Programs and see what STEM / STEAM activities they have been engaging youth in:

Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider: 
Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center

Name of District: Twin Rivers Unified School District

School Site: Frontier Elementary School

Grade Level of Activity: 5th and 6th Grade

Number of Students who took part in the activity: 21

Type of Activity: "Inspire Tree"

Learning Outcomes - Students were able to: 

• Work collaboratively to engineer an "Inspire Tree" from scratch using basic office supplies
• Practice SEL themes of Social Awareness and Relationship Skills by writing inspiring statements on a paper leaf for the Inspire Tree
• Construct an art piece, using their creativity and talents; and learn that art can serve a meaningful purpose through which they can express their thoughts and feelings 

For more information on this project please feel free to contact Lily Nedeoglo 

at lily@sccsc.org.

Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider: 

Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center

Name of District: Twin Rivers Unified School District

School Site: Madison Elementary

Grade Level of Activity: Grades K-6

Number of students who took part in the activity: 23

Type of Activity: STEAM

Learning Outcomes - Students were able to:

• Create a design for a foosball, football, hockey table
• Problem Solve any issues that arose during the construction process
• Use random materials to create their foosball, football, hockey prototype
• Use the Engineering Design Process to create their foosball, football, hockey table
• Create a functioning foosball, football, hockey table
• Reflect on how they would improve upon their design

For more information on this project please contact Jafahri McCrimon at jafahri@sccsc.org.

Expanded learning students testing their foosball tables.

Expanded learning students testing out their football board game.

Expanded learning students testing out their hockey board game.

Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider: 

Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center

Name of District: Twin Rivers Unified School District

School Site: Harmon Johnson Elementary

Grade Level of Activity: Grades 3-6

Type of Activity: STEAM Club

Learning Outcomes - Students were able to:

• Work collaboratively 
• Understand the importance of communication
• Understand that they all have strengths and that they can use these strengths to solve problems
• Understand how to work together while given certain barriers (such as pretending they didn't speak the same language, only being able to use one arm each, etc.)
• Engineer the tallest structure using pipe cleaners

For more information on this activity please feel free to contact Tanya Velasquez at tanya@sccsc.org.

Expanded learning students showing off their tower.

STEM / Expanded Learning and Other Pertinent Articles:

1) The Importance of Collaboration in STEM
    (LIAS Blog Post by Sam Piha January 10, 2018)

2) Education Week STEM Spotlight
    (Education Week January 6, 2018)

3) Most Americans evaluate STEM education as middling compared
    with other developed nations
   (Pew Research Center article by Cary Funk and Kim Parker January 9, 2018)

4) How many Grace Hoppers have been lost from the innovation pipeline?
    (Brookings article by Jay Shambaugh and Becca Portman January 8, 2018)

5) Leveraging the Power of Partnerships to Impact Environmental Education at Scale
    (NTA article by Laura Herszenhorn, Katie Levedahl, and 
     Suzi Taylor January 16, 2018)

6) What Do Asthma, Heart Disease and Cancer Have in Common? 
     Maybe Childhood Trauma
     (NPR Education article by Cory Turner January 23, 2018)

7) America's SchoolsAre "Profoundly Unequal," Says U.S. Civil Rights Commission
    (NPR Education article by Cory Turner January 11, 2018)

8) 5 Things To Know About Screen Time Right Now
   (NPR Education article by Anya Kamenetz January 3, 2018)

9) How One District Cut Student Homelessness by 25 Percent
    (Education Week article by Kerry Wrenick January 10, 2018)

10) Can Afterschool with a Foundation in SEL Help Disrupt the 
      School - to - Prison Pipeline?
      (LIAS Blog Post by Sam Piha January 17, 2018)


STEM / STEAM / DACA / Educational etc.  Resources: 

1) Discover Engineering Website Activities (Grades 2-8)

2) Sci Girls Citizen Science Projects (Grades 6-9)

3) Sci Girls Real World Female Scientist Videos (Grades 6-9)

4) Building Fun: 5 Civil Engineering Activities for the Classroom (Grades 9-12)

5) Hands-on Engineering Activities for Your Classroom (Grades K-12)

6) Take Learning from STEM to STEAM (Grades 2-6)

7) Diversity Lesson Plans and Activities from Around the Web (Grades K-8)

8) Team Building Physical Educational Games (Grades K-8)

9) Resources to Help You Protect Immigrants

10) Guide for Teachers Helping Dreamers

11) The WEL -World of Expanded Learning (Videos)

12) PBS Learning Media Webinars (Free)


STEM / Non-STEM Grants:

1) The Big List of Educational Grants (Updated on January 3, 2018)

2) Bank of The West Grants (Grant Page)

3) Wells Fargo Community Grants (Grants Page)

4) CAN Grants Page (Grants Page)

5) The Impact Foundry (Grants Page)


Professional Learning Sessions / Contest / Conferences / etc.

1) Region 3 Expanded Learning Winter Conference 
    (Date: February 6, 2018) (Fee: Free)

2) STEM Through the Lens of Quality Standards
     (Date: February 26, 2018) (Fee: Free)

3) Solar Schoolhouse Solar Primer (SMUD Workshop)
    (Date: March 10, 2018) (Fee: Free)

4) Abstract Art Exploration (Crocker Art Workshop)
    (Date: March 20, 2018) (Fee: Free)

5) State Parks in Your Classroom (SMUD: Grades K-12)
     (Date: April 4, 2018) (Fee: Free)

6) Expanded Learning Through Improv (B Street Theatre)
    (Date: April 12, 2018) (Fee: Free)


Thanks again for all that you do in the field. Please keep us posted about STEM 
events / activities in your area. Please feel free to contact us at any time.

Monica Gonzalez-Williams (SCOE: Region 3: After School Regional Lead):
mgonzalez@scoe.net

Phil Romig (SCOE: Science Curriculum Specialist): promig@scoe.net

Mark Drewes (SCOE: Project Specialist II: Expanded Learning) mdrewes@scoe.net 
    

Region 3 STEM Blog takes a look at the "First Lady of Physics"

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage month and so to celebrate this month let's learn about the "First Lady of Physics". Chien-Shiung Wu was a Chinese American experimental physicist who made significant contributions in the field of nuclear physics. Wu worked on developing the process for separating uranium metal into uranium-235 and uranium-238 isotopes. Her expertise in experimental physics evoked comparisons to Marie Curie. Her nicknames include "the First Lady of Physics", "the Chinese Madame Curie", and the "Queen of Nuclear Research". 

Let's see what STEM activities the Expanded Learning Program practitioners have been engaging the Region 3 students in.

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: San Juan Unified Bridges After School 
Program

Name of District: San Juan Unified School District

Name of School Site: Encina High School

Grade Level of Activity: 9th Grade

Number of Students Who Took Part in The Activity: 20 students

Type of Activity: Robotics Club

Description of STEM Activity: 

The video at the link below was created by a group of  students in the Encina ASSETs program using footage taken from a Quadcopter they assembled and fitted with a camera. The five students are part of a Robotics/Engineering club in the ASSETs program and have been working on the Quadcopter project in the after-school program since early in the school year. The students had to solve issues with the weight and placement of the camera before they were finally able to achieve successful flight and ultimately capture video of their school, and the Color Run they partnered with the Associated Student Body (ASB) to host.

Click here to see video that the Quadcopter took. 

For more information on this project please contact San Juan Unified School District's Expanded Learning Program Grant Manager Debbie Middleton at DMiddleton@sanjuan.edu.



Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: San Juan Unified's Bridges After School 
Program

Name of District: San Juan Unified School District

Name of School Site: Starr King K-8

Grade Level of Activity: 6th through 8th Grade

Number of Students Who Took Part in The Activity: 20 students

Type of Activity: Cow Eye Dissection

Description of STEM Activity: 

The Bridges After-School Program at Starr King K-8  scheduled an expert from the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum of Michigan to lead an exciting learning opportunity for Bridges students. Corrina Strecker, Distance Learning Manager for the museum, walked the group through a cow eye dissection via live video streaming. The museum shipped the cow eyes to the Bridges program in preparation for the conference. The students learned the anatomy of a cows eye and the function of each part as  they removed and examined it.  Each participant had the opportunity to share their observations and ask questions of the museum expert during this engaging learning experience.

Bridges Expanded Learning Program students working on a cow eye dissection.

Bridges Expanded Learning Program student is proudly displaying his cow eye.

Bridges Expanded Learning Program students learning how to properly dissect a cow's eye.

For more information on this project please contact San Juan Unified School District's Expanded Learning Program Grant Manager Debbie Middleton at DMiddleton@sanjuan.edu.


STEM / Expanded Learning Program and Other Pertinent Education Articles:

1) Protect California's Quality After School Programs: AB2663
    (Save Afterschool website)

2) Messaging Documents to Protect CA's Quality After School Programs
    (Save Afterschool website)

3) Politics and Afterschool: 4 Tips That Could Help you this Election Season
    (National Afterschool Association Website)

4) May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
     (National Afterschool Association Website)

5) Arts and Afterschool: A Powerful Alliance
    (National Afterschool Association Website)

6) Thinking About Science + Nature: An Art Teacher's Approach
    (Kimberley Campisano, April 11, 2016, KQED)

7) Zoo Crew empowers youth to tackle conservation
    (Erin Murphy, April 8, 2016, After School Alliance Blog)

8) The Power of Art to Build Strong Youth and Heal Trauma
   (Alex M. Johnson, April 11, 2016, Huffington Post)

9) Why Kids Should Use Their Fingers in Math Class
    (Jo Boaler and Lang Chen, April 13, 2016, The Atlantic)

10) Some after school program providers say flat funding may cause them to close
      (Susan Frey, April 6, 2016, Ed Source)

11) Can Songs Help You Learn Scientific Concepts?
      (Tania Lombrozo, May 2, 2016, NPR)

12) The problem with teaching "grit" to poor kids? They already have it. Here is what 
      they really need.  (Valerie Strauss, May 10, 2016, The Washington Post)

13) Understanding Gender Identity in Young People: A Briefing Paper for 
      After School Programs
      (Sam Phia and Samantha Waters, April 28, 2016, Temescal and Associates)

14) A Vision for Expanded Learning in California (Strategic Plan Update April 2016)






STEM (and other interdisciplinary core content) Activities / Videos / Websites:

1) Want to Teach In Urban Schools? Get to Know the Neighborhood
    (April 10, 2016, NPR) (Podcast)

2) Survey Raises Concern about Non-English Speaking Students
    (Claudio Sanchez, May 13, 2016, NPR) (Podcast)

3) Feds turn to Hip Hop to Tamp Down Teen Smoking
    (Maanvi Singh, May 10, 2016, NPR) (Podcast)

4) Preparing Youth To Thrive (Promising Practices in Social Emotional Learning)
    (SEL Practices Website) (Resource Guide)

5) STEM Gems (Experiential STEM Learning Activities)
    (STEM Activities from National After School Association) 

6) After School Tech Trends 2016 ( National After School Association website)

7) Four Free Tools for Arts Integration in the Content Classroom
    (Graphite Blog, January 26, 2016)

8) New App helps families find summer meal sites (App)

9) What Killed the Dinosaurs? (Activity #2 PBS) (Grades K-2)

10) Arts Edge (Integrated Art Activities)






STEM / Educational Grants:

1) Math Moves U: Math Hero Award (Math hero receives a $2,500 grant and school 
    receives a matching award) (Deadline: Applications open Spring of 2016)

2) Best Satellite Providers: Technology Grants for Educators

    17 Resources for Future Proof Kids

    (Deadline: Varies by Grant Opportunity) 

3) California Regional Environmental Education Community (Grant Database)

4) The Big List of Educational Grants and Resources (Edutopia List of Grants)

    (This webpage has been updated on May 7, 2016)

5) Target Field Trip Grants ($700)  (August 1 through September 30, 2016)

6) Project WET Funding Database (Scroll down to the bottom of the page 

    and click on the "Grants" link)




STEM / Misc. Professional Development / Contest / Events:

1) CA STEM Symposium 2016 (October 9-11, 2016: Fee: $310 per participant 

     before September 1, 2016)

2) Lights on After School Poster Contest (Deadline: June 1, 2016)

3) Sustainable Cities (CA Lead Module) (Cost: Free) (June 2, 2016)

4) Let's Put The A(rt) in STEM (Cost: Free) (Date: June 9, 2016)

5) CASRC Online Courses (Free)

6) CalSac Online Courses (Free)

Thanks again for all that you do in the field. Please keep us posted about STEM events/activities in your area. Please feel free to contact us at any time.

Monica Gonzalez-Williams (SCOE: Region 3: After School Regional Lead):
mgonzalez@scoe.net

Phil Romig (SCOE: Science Curriculum Specialist): promig@scoe.net

Mark Drewes (SCOE: Project Specialist II: After School) mdrewes@scoe.net

Deck the Halls with Lots of STEM

NGSS Things to Know for December:

1) New NGSS EQuIP Teaching Channel Videos: Checkout four exciting
    new video series highlighting the Educators Evaluating Quality in
    Instructional Products (EQuIP) for Science. You can also checkout other
    videos Achieve and the Teaching Channel have produced. Click here to view.

2) NGSS Implementation Can Open The Door To Local Partnerships: Partnerships
    - such as those between schools and local businesses, schools of higher education,
    or informal education organizations - can provide strong supports for NGSS
    implementation. Such partnerships can bring trained science and STEM
    professionals into the classrooms, helping connect students' hands-on learning
    experiences to the real world. Great examples of NGSS partnerships already exist
    across many states and districts. If you have any in mind, please highlight them via
    Twitter @OfficialNGSS.

Now lets take a closer look at and see how the students in expanded learning program 
have been engaged in STEM activities during the month of November.

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community Service 
Center (SCCSC)

Name of District: Twin Rivers Unified Schoo District

School Site: Foothill Oaks Elementary School

Grade Level of Activity: Elementary

Number of Students who took part in the activity: Twenty-one

Type of Activity:  In our 5th grade STEM club, students explored the interconnectedness of speed, velocity, and acceleration through the engineering process of constructing their own roller coasters. In this process, students had an opportunity to use their knowledge of the scientific method in creating and testing a research hypothesis. Important considerations such as height, speed, design and consistency became provoking challenges for students. The ultimate goal for our students was to create a consistent and full functioning roller coaster while gaining a unique experience in the engineering design process.

Learning Outcomes - Students were able to: 

• Understand and explain the importance of speed, velocity, and acceleration
• Understand and implement the engineering design process
• Use the scientific method to test and predict hypothesis 
• Change different variables to construct a consistent and working roller coaster     

For more information please contact Sarah Heidel ASES Program Manager at sarah@sccsc.org.

ASES students engineering a foam roller coaster.

ASES student increasing height of roller coaster to test velocity.

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community Service 
Center (SCCSC)

Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District

School Site: Albert Einstein Middle School

Grade Level of Activity: Middle School

Number of Students who took part in the activity: 20

Type of Activity:  Robotics

Learning Outcomes - At Albert Einstein Middle School we value the life long skills students can achieve by integrating their minds into the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Einstein Robotics is an elective during school as well as a club during after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students use Linkbots in a classroom learning setting to teach basic C++ programming skills. Linkbots have given our students access to C++ programming through an integrated development environment developed by UC Davis. Our instructors are trained through the UCD C-STEM program and are integrating computer programming into our science and computer classes. 


We hope to keep providing these opportunities for students to learn valuable skills that they can use in the modern world today. 


For more information on this robotics program please contact Oscar Bermudez at 
oscar@sccsc.org

Expanded learning program student calibrating their robot.

Expanded learning program students work on codes for their robots.

Expanded learning program students making modifications to their robots.

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community Service 
Center (SCCSC)

Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District

School Site: A.M. Winn Waldorf Inspired K-8

Grade Level of Activity: 3rd Grade

Number of Students who took part in the activity: 20

Type of Activity:  S.T.E.A.M. - Create Leaf Wreaths

Learning Outcomes - Students were able to: 

• Observe how leaves of different trees indicate seasonal change
• Understand how the weather effects leaves in the seasonal change
• Compare texture and color of leaves that changed to leaves that did not
• Discuss pigments and patterns using leaves in different stages of color change
• Discuss and define ecological balance
• Discuss the importance of trees to our ecological balance
• Discuss and understand the direct impact trees have on their lives

For more information on this activity please contact Monik Vega at monk@sccsc.org

Expanded learning program students making leaf wreaths.

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community Service 
Center (SCCSC)

Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District

School Site: Caroline Wenzel Elementary School

Grade Level of Activity: 3rd / 4th Grade

Number of Students who took part in the activity: 18

Type of Activity:  S.T.E.M. Space Exploration

Learning Outcomes - Students were able to: 

• Explain the diet, exercise plan and training an astronaut must undertake
• Worked on writing, reading, and presenting activities that explained their thoughts and understandings about planets, rocket designs, and food ideas
• Discuss what kind of impact space has had on our society and how they felt about it
• Create blue prints of rocket ship
• Build and launch the rocket ship with their collaborative group

Students working on their rocket designs.

Get ready for blast off!!

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community Service 

Center (SCCSC)

Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District

School Site: Nicholas Elementary School

Grade Level of Activity: 5th and 6th Grade

Number of Students who took part in the activity: 23

Type of Activity:  The students were individually tasked to work on an ad lib worksheet that allows them to design a world of their own design. Additionally, the students must design, build, and test a bridge that will support the weight of an object placed on top of it.

Learning Outcomes - Students were able to: 

• Understand how to effectively communicate while working in a collaborative group
• Able to identify and comprehend the instructions given on the worksheet
• Problem solve various design flaws and inadequacies of their initial designs
• Critically think of revisions / solutions that allowed them to meet the design challenge
• Manage the limited supplies that they were provided 
• Understand the structural properties of the design and objects selected in relation to the project

For more information please contact Eric Elder at eric@sccsc.org.

Expanded learning program students working on their bridge design.

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community Service 
Center (SCCSC)

Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District

School Site: William Land Elementary

Grade Level of Activity: 4th and 6th Grade

Number of Students who took part in the activity: 50

Type of Activity:  Marble Roller Coasters

Learning Outcomes - Students were able to: 

• Comprehend basic physics concepts that are applicable to roller coaster construction, including potential, kinetic energy, and momentum
• Apply their understanding of those concepts as they construct and text their roller coaster
• Build, Test, Observe, and Revise their design, which provided them with an experiential understanding of the engineering design process
• Practice and hone their team building skills

For more information on this activity, please contact David Constancio at david@sccsc.org.

Expanded learning program students building and testing their marble roller coaster designs.

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community Service 
Center (SCCSC)

Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District

School Site: Camellia Basic Elementary School

Grade Level of Activity: 4th through 6th Grade

Number of Students who took part in the activity: 64

Type of Activity:  Designing / Testing paper Rockets

Learning Outcomes - Students were able to: 

• Apply the scientific method
• Create, design, sketch before construction
• Engineer and construct model
• Test paper rocket model
• Revise and test paper rocket again

For more information on this activity please contact Michaela Dragos at michaela@sccsc.org.

Expanded learning program students drawing sketches of their paper rockets.

Expanded learning program students creating and testing their paper rockets.

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community Service 
Center (SCCSC)

Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District

School Site: John Still K-8 School

Grade Level of Activity: 7th and 8th

Number of Students who took part in the activity: 25-30

Type of Activity: Chemical Reactions

Learning Outcomes - Students were able to: 

• Explain the difference between physical change and chemical change
• Learn about what is a reactant and what is a product
• Denote the types of evidence that identify a chemical change to a physical change
• Learn that chemical reactions involve changes in properties and changes in energy

For more information on this activity please contact Maria Gonzalez at maria@sccsc.org.

Expanded learning program students having fun learning about chemical reactions.

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community Service 
Center (SCCSC)

Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District

School Site: Woodbine Elementary

Grade Level of Activity: 6th Grade

Number of Students who took part in the activity: 10 students

Type of Activity:  Elephant Toothpaste; an experiment displaying a chemical reaction between yeast and hydrogen peroxide

Learning Outcomes - Students were able to:

• Learn about laboratory and chemical safety (goggles, gloves, and air ventilation)
• Practice safety procedures when handling chemicals for experiments
• Measure chemical ingredients using labeled cups, spoons, and droppers
• Observe the different states of matter: liquid, gas, and solid
• Observe a chemical reaction 

For more information on this activity please contact Yee Vang at yee@sccsc.org.

Expanded learning program students exploring chemical reactions.

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community Service 
Center (SCCSC)

Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District

School Site: Will C. Wood Middle School

Grade Level of Activity: 7th and 8th Grade

Number of Students who took part in the activity: 90 students

Type of Activity:  Exploding Watermelon Pressure Relay

Learning Outcomes - Students were able to:

• Experiment with the concept of pressure
• Explore the physics of rubber bands and watermelons
• Collaborate to achieve a goal

For more information on this activity please contact Nicole Dunn at nicole@sccsc.org.

Expanding Learning program students learning about the affects of pressure.

STEM / Expanded Learning and Other Pertinent Educational Articles:

1) Language Demands and Opportunities in Relation to Next Generation Science 
    Standards for ELLs (Helen Quinn, Okhee Lee, and Guadalupe Valdes) 

2) How to Launch STEM Investigations That Build on Student and Community 
    Interests and Expertise (Phillip Bell, Deb Morrison, and Angela Debarger)

3) What I Can Do to Support NGSS 
    (Anna Van Dordecht, Sonoma County Office of Ed.)

4) Building Towards NGSS Classrooms (Sean Elkins, The Teaching Channel)

5) Senate Approves Bi-Partisan "Every Student Succeeds Act" (EdBrief)

6) DeSaulnier Measures Included In Landmark Education Bill (Press Release)

7) Senate passes ESEA, 21st CCLC Update (Erik Peterson)

8) A New Framework for Youth Development (Sam Piha)

9) A Kid's Coding Expert Says We're Making Computer Class Way Too Boring 
    (Anya Kamenetz, NPR)

10) Mark Zuckerberg Is Betting Tech Can Address Educational Equity. 
      Is It that Simple? (Anya Kamenetz, NPR)

11) New CA3 Resources Outline Funding Challenges for ASES Programs



STEM (and other interdisciplinary core content) Activities / Videos / Websites:

1) Before Minecraft, The Blocks Were Made of Wood (Eric Westervelt, NPR)

2) Computing and After School (Resources, After School Alliance)

3) Getting Started with STEM (Resources, After School Alliance)

4) The 37 Best Websites to Learn Something New (Resources)

5) Out-of-School Educator Tools (Resources, The Lawrence Hall of Science)

6) KQED Engineer That Design Challenge (Resources)

7) Education Guides (Resources, KQED)



STEM / Educational Grants:

1) Youth Services America Grant: Youth led community service project designed to 
    address childhood hunger. (125 - $400 grants are available)
     (Deadline: January 15, 2016)

2) Captain Planet Foundation: Grants are made for activities that: a) Are project-based 
     b) Are projects performed by youth c) Are projects that have real environmental 
     outcomes. ($500-$2,500 grants are available)
     (Deadline: January 31, 2016)

3) National Council of Teachers of Mathematic (NCTM): Enhancing Student 
    Mathematics Learning Through the Use of Tools and Technology  
    ($3,000 grants are available)
    (Deadline: May 6, 2016)

4) Math Moves U: Math Hero Award (Math hero receives a $2,500 grant and school 
    receives a matching award)
    (Deadline: Applications open Spring of 2016)

5) The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation: The Michael Kamen Grant
     (Deadline: Applications open Summer of 2016)

6) Kids in Need Foundation: Teacher Grants ($100 to $500 grants are available)
    (Deadline: July 15 through September 30, 2016)

7) Youth Changing the World: KaBoom! Grants for Outdoor Play
     ($15,000 grants available)
     (Deadline: Ongoing)

8) Best Satellite Providers: Technology Grants for Educators: 
    17 Resources for Future Proof Kids
    (Deadline: Varies by Grant Opportunity)

9) Target: A Bullseye View: Target Field Trip Grants ($700 grants are available)
    (Deadline: August 1 through October 1, 2016)

10) California Regional Environmental Education Community (Grant Database)
    
    

STEM / Misc. Professional Development / Contest / Events:

1) Engineering Adventures (Grades 3-5) (Free) (January 20, 2016)

2) Partnership for Children and Youth: Quality Standards Conference
     ($187 registartion fee) (February 19, 2016)

3) Energenius: Out of School Time STEM Pilot Program Session I
    (Free) (February 24, 2016)

4) Kidz Science (Grades 3-5) (Free) (March 1, 2016)

5) Energenius: Out of School Time STEM Pilot Program Session II
     (Free) (March 23, 2016)



Thanks again for all that you do in the field. Please keep us posted about STEM events/activities in your area. Please feel free to contact us at any time.

Monica Gonzalez-Williams (SCOE: Region 3: After School Regional Lead):
mgonzalez@scoe.net

Phil Romig (SCOE: Science Curriculum Specialist): promig@scoe.net

Mark Drewes (SCOE: Project Specialist II: After School) mdrewes@scoe.net