July is National Ice Cream Month

What better way is there is celebrate a month in which the thermometer pushes north of 100 degrees fahrenheit more often than not? I scream, you scream, many scream for ice cream as a way to beat the heat. July is National Ice Cream Month.

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday  of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by over 90 percent of the nation's population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

The ice cream industry in the United States contributes more than $39 billion to the national economy and creates more than 188,000 jobs in communities across the country.

Where does this tasty treat emanate from? The emperors of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) are believed to have been the first to eat "a frozen milk-like confection." This version was made with cow, goat, or buffalo milk that was heated with flour. Camphor, an aromatic substance harvested from evergreen trees, was added to enhance the texture and flavor. The mixture was then placed into metal tubes and lowered into an ice pool until frozen. This process is similar to the way Indians made kulfi prior to refrigeration. For more on the history of ice cream, click here.

Do you and your expanded learning students want to make ice cream while learning how to be a process engineer? If so, click here for the Food for Thought Engineering Ice Cream, a curriculum unit from Engineering Everywhere.

Tang Dynasty Emperors were the first to enjoy an early version of this tasty treat.

STEM / Expanded Learning and Other Pertinent Articles:

1) Trump Budget Endangers STEM Learning
    (Education Week Commentary by Ron Ottinger, July 24, 2017)

2) After School shines in ESSA implementation hearing
    (Aftelschool Snack Blog by Erik Peterson, July 21, 2017)

3) House Appropriations Committee cuts after school (ESSA) funding by 191 million
     (Aftelschool Snack Blog by Erik Peterson, July 20, 2017)

4) Closing the achievement gap for Latino kids
     (Aftelschool Snack Blog by Diego Uriburu, July 19, 2017)

5) Technology Can be a Tool, a Teacher, a Trickster
    (NPR Opinion by Tania Lombrozo, July 17, 2017)

6) Considering Cultural Context When Promoting SEL
    (LIAS Blog by Sam Piha, July 19, 2017)

7) Five Myths About Transgender Students Educators Need to Unlearn
    (Education Week Commentary by Laura Erickson-Schroth, July 10, 2017)

8) 10 Social Media Controversies That Landed Students in Trouble This School Year
    (Education Week Article by Benjamin Herold, July 6, 2017)

9) NGSS Helps Prepare Future Workforce
    (Comstock's Article by Jennifer Berry, June 21, 2017)

10) Addressing Food Security in Your Afterschool and Summer Learning Program
      (National Afterschool Association Article, July 11, 2017)

11) The Journal of Expanded Learning Opportunities
      (Spring 2017 Issue)


STEM / STEAM / ETC. Activities / Videos / Websites:

1) STEM Tools (Research / National Summer Learning Association)

2) Resources and Services Webpage (National Summer Learning Association)

3) Science Resources for After School (AAAS Science Activities)

4) Crazy 8's (After School Math Club Activities)

5) Tinkering Resources (Exploratorium)

6) Science Club Activities (Northwestern)

7) Additional STEM Resources Activity Webpage (Afterschool Alliance)

8) SF MOMA Teacher Art Activities Resource Page (SF MOMA)

9) What it means to have an equal vs.s equitable education system
    (Audiofile of Jeff Duncan-Andrade Associate Professor at SFSU)

10) The World of Expanded Learning (YouTube Channel by Bruno Marchesi)

11) STRIVE FaceBook Page
      (Tips, Tools, Resources for Expanded Learning Educators)

12) Quality Standards In Action Video: Youth Voice and Leadership
      (CDE Expanded Learning Division)

13) YouTube Star Teaching Kids how to Bake (NPR Podcast)

14) Why Aren't Students Showing Up for College? (NPR Podcast)

15) Number of Teens Working Summer Jobs Declines (NPR Podcast)


STEM / Non-STEM Educational Grants:

1) The Big List of Educational Grants and Resources (Edutopia)
    (Updated July 19, 2017)

2) California Aftelschool Network Grant Page (CAN)

3) After School Funding Database (Afterschool Alliance)

4) The Impact Foundry Grant Opportunity Page (The Impact Foundry)

5) Bank of The West (Grant Page)


Professional Learning Sessions / Contest / Symposiums / ETC.:

1) CDE / CAN Grantee 101 Orientation
    (Sacramento) (August 29, 2017)

2) NBA Math Hoops Workshop
    (September 27, 2017) (Cost: Free) (Grades 4-8)

3) California Dream'n: Site Coordinator Symposium
    (October 20-21, 2017) (Cost: $50.00 + slight surcharge for 2-day event)

4) California STEAM Symposium
    (December 10-11, 2017) (Cost: $345 per participant)

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