March is National Women's History Month: Do You Know About....

March is National Women's History Month so let us celebrate and highlight the accomplishments of the many women who have made tremendous contributions to STEM throughout the history of the United States. With that being stated here are a few amazing female STEM pioneers:

Mary G. Ross the first Native American female engineer.

1) Mary G. Ross - Mary was the first Native American female engineer. She was one of
    40 founding engineers of the Skunk Works; an official pseudonym for Lockheed
    Martin's Advanced Development Program. It is responsible for a number of famous
    aircraft designs, including but not limited to the U-2, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird,
    and the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk. Mary was known for her work at Lockheed
    Martin on "preliminary design concepts for interplanetary space travel, manned and
    unmanned earth-orbiting flights, and the earliest studies of orbiting satellites for both
    defense and civilian purposes.

Norma Sklarek was the first African-American woman architect in NYC.

2) Norma Sklarek - Norma was the first African-American female to earn an architect's
    license in the state of New York. Not only did she build a lasting career in a field
    dominated by white males, but she was also an advocate for more women in the
    field. Later in her career, she started her own all-woman architect firm. Norma's
    spirit and work left an imprint on the world as her work can still be seen nationally
    and internationally. For example, two of her most well-known projects are the
    American Embassy in Tokyo and Fox Plaza in San Francisco.

Xie Yi is a ground breaking Chinese female scientist.

3) Xie Yi - Xie was honored with a L' Oreal - UNESCO for Women in Science Award in
   2015 for creating new nano materials with promising applications in the conversion of
   heat or sunlight into electricity.

Adriana Ocampo is a Colombian planetary geologist.

4) Adriana Ocampo - Is a planetary geologist, whom in 1989, while examining satellite
    images of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Ocampo spotted the 130 mile wide
    Chicxulub crater (the scar left behind by the asteroid impact that may have wiped
    out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

Here are some links that will allow you to engage your youth in various activities that will provide the students with a variety of ways to celebrate National Women's History Month:

a) Women's National History Month (Lesson Plans, NEA, Grades K-5)

b) Women's National History Month (Lesson Plans, NEA, Grades 6-8)

c) Women's National History Month (Lesson Plans, NEA, Grades 9-12)

d)  Women's National History Month (Activity Plans, Read/Write/Think, Grades 3-12)

e) Women's History Month: A Collection of Resources
    (Scholastic: Grades Pre-K to 12)

f) Women's History Month Activities (Anti-Defimation League, Grades 2-12)


Now let's take a peek and see how a few expanded learning programs in the region have been engaging youth in STEM learning activities.



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

Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District

School Site: Caroline Wenzel Elementary

Grade Level of Activity: 5th and 6th Grade

Number of Students who took part in activity: 21 students

Type of Activity: Potato light bulb experiment

Learning Outcomes: Students were able to:

• Learn how a potato can create electricity
• Understand the basic concepts of electricity
• Learn about circuits and how electricity can be transferred
• Explore the different amounts of electricity that different varieties of potatoes can produce

An expanded learning student exploring circuits and electricity with potatoes.

For more information on this activity please contact Ashley Lo the expanded learning
program manager at Caroline Wenzel Elementary at ashley@sccsc.org

Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider: 

Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center

Name of District: Twin Rivers Unified School District

School Site: D.W. Babcock Elementary

Grade Level of Activity: K-6

Number of Students who took part in activity: 23 students

Type of Activity: Process Engineer - Engineering our Own Playdoh Recipe

Learning Outcomes: Students were able to: 

• Create their own playdoh from scratch
• Use the Engineering Design Process to create the best batch of playdoh they could
• Collaborate and reflect with their teammates on what worked and didn't work

Expanded Learning students creating the perfect batch of playdoh.

For more information on this activity please contact DeMarcus Wooten the expanded learning program manager at D.W. Babcock Elementary at demarcus@sccsc.org

Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider: 

Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center

Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District

School Site: Tahoe Elementary

Grade Level of Activity: 4th thru 6th

Number of Students who took part in activity: 21 students

Type of Activity: Research and Presentation

Learning Outcomes: Students were able to: 

• Gain an understanding of the research process
• Learn about endangered animals from around the world
• Design and create presentations on their findings
• Present on their research topic

Expanded Learning students reporting on their endangered species  project.

For more information on this activity please contact Sophia Keen the expanded learning program manager at Tahoe Elementary at sophia@sccsc.org

Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider: 

Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center

Name of District: Twin Rivers Unified School District

School Site: Orchard Elementary School

Grade Level of Activity: K-6

Number of Students who took part in activity: 23 students

Type of Activity: Paper Mache Volcano

Learning Outcomes: Students were able to: 

• Collaborate
• Learn about team work and ensure that everyone contributed
• Build something that they would be proud of
• Learn about volcanic eruptions
• Own their project

Expanded Learning students learning about volcanoes!!!

For more information on this activity please contact Jesus Robles the expanded learning program manager at Orchard Elementary School at jesus@sccsc.org

Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider: 

Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center

Name of District: Sacramento Unified School District

School Site: John Bidwell Elementary

Grade Level of Activity: 1st-6th

Number of Students who took part in activity: 15 students

Type of Activity: STEAM Activity: How to engineer your own bowl

Learning Outcomes: Students were able to: 

• Learn how to utilize recycled items in the design of their product
• Learn how to engineer a bowl using the engineering design process

Expanded Learning students engineering their own bowl.

For more information on this activity please contact Teresa Hernandez the expanded learning program manager at John Bidwell Elementary at teresa@sccsc.org



Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider: 

Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center

Name of District: Sacramento Unified School District

School Site: Thedore Judah Elementary School

Grade Level of Activity: 4th Grade

Number of Students who took part in activity: 12 students

Type of Activity: Which Milk Dissolves Skittles the Fastest?
                              First Course: My Plate, Myself

Learning Outcomes: Students were able to:

• Write a hypothesis
• Observe liquid diffusion
• Observe the effects of different types of milk
• Identify five food groups and name a variety of examples from each
• Explain how My Plate serves as a reminder to eat from all five food groups
• Learn about Go slow and Whoa foods

Expanded Learning students learning about liquid diffusion.

For more information on this activity please contact Monik Vega the expanded learning program Coordinator at Theodore Judah Elementary School at monik@sccsc.org

STEM / Expanded Learning and other Pertinent Articles:

1) STEM in the Summer 

    (Report by the National Summer Learning Association, October 2016)

2) STEM Policy Brief: The Power of Summer

     (Report by the National Summer Learning Association, October 2016)

3) STEM in Summer Time: A Multi-Layered Learning Experience

     (Report by the National Summer Learning Association, February 2017)

4) How Much Do You Know About STEM Education (Education Week Quiz)

5) Summer Learning - A Smart Investment For California School Districts
    (Summer Matters Report, February 2018)

6) Sustaining Expanded Learning Programs: A Manual for Implementing Family Fees
    (Partnership For Children and Youth, February 2018)

7) #100masks Challenge (LIAS Blog, February 14, 2018)

8) Educating Stewards of the Earth (Education Week Blog, February 13, 2018)

9) Tell Congress: No cuts to after school!! (Email / Call Congress)

10) The Roots of STEM Success: Changing Early Learning Experiences to Build 
       Lifelong Thinking Skills 
       (Executive Summary by Center for Childhood Creativity)


STEM / STEAM / DACA / Educational Resources etc.:

1) Earth Echo Activity Ideas (Grades 6-12)

2) Women's History Month Science Activities / Resources (Grades K-12)

3) Top 15 Women's History Month Activities (Grades K-12)

4) 5 Content Rich Activities and Resources for Women's History (Grades 1-8)

5) A Brief History of Earth Day (with a Lesson Plan) (KQED)

6) What Legal Rights Do Undocumented Immigrants Have (with a Lesson Plan)
    (KQED)

7) QUEST (KQED Science Resources)

8) Art School (KQED Art Resources)

9) Resources to Help You Protect Your Immigrant Students (United We Dream) 

10) Local School Wellness Policy Interview (WEL YouTube Video)


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) Placer County Office of Education - STEM Expo (March 8, 2018)

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

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

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

5) STEM-ulator Educator Conference - Be Curious
    (Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jeff Goldstein - Director of the National Center for 
    and Space Science Education) (Date: April 5, 2018) (Fee: $100)
    (Breakout sessions for expanded learning practitioners)
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 

November is National Native American Heritage Month

In 1990, President George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as National Native American Heritage Month. This commemorative month aims to provide a platform for Native people in the United States of America to share their culture, traditions, music, crafts, dance, and ways and concepts of life. This gives Native people the opportunity to express to their community, both city, county and state officials their concerns and solutions for building bridges of understanding and friendship in their local area.

Here are some resources that you can use to engage youth in Native American Learning Activities:

1) Native American Lessons, Activities, and Resources (NEA Website) 

2) Native American Student Activities, Lesson Plans, and Collection
    Guides (Library of Congress) 

3) Native American Heritage Month Resources (Indian Country Today)

4) Celebrate Native American Heritage Month (Education World)



STEM / Expanded Learning and Other Pertinent Articles:

1) Building students' foundational skills and competencies that will help them
    in the workforce and life (After School Alliance November 2017 Spotlight Brief)

2) Building on student interest and exposing students to careers and career pathways
    (After School Alliance November 2017 Spotlight Brief)

3) Providing real-world work experiences that help build students' familiarity with
    and capabilities in the workforce
    (After School Alliance November 2017 Spotlight Brief)

4) Trauma-Informed Practice Part 1
    (Learning in After School and Summer Blog by Sam Phia, November 15, 2017)

5) Trauma-Informed Practice Part II
    (Learning in After School and Summer Blog by Sam Phia, November 15, 2017)

6) Deciding At What Age To Give A Kid A Smart Phone
    (NPR article by Claire Mcinerny, November 21, 2017)

7) As DACA Winds Down, DREAMers Turn Toward Different Futures
    (NPR article by Claire Mcinerny, November 10, 2017)

8) In the Age of Legalization, Talking to Kids About Marijuana Gets Tougher
    (NPR article by Anna Gorman, November 10, 2017)

9) Encouraging students to make mistakes to improve math outcomes
    (Edsource article by Lizzy Hull Barnes, November 19, 2017)

10) For Equity, Build Relationships
      (Harvard Graduate School article by Akisha R. Jones)

11) The Tech Industry's Gender-Discrimination Problem
      (New Yorker article by Sheelah Kolhatkar, November 20, 2017)

12) When Students Are Traumatized, Teachers Are Too
      (Edutopia article by Emelina Minero, October 4, 2017)


STEM / STEAM / DACA / Educational etc. Resources:

1) 36 Resources for STEM Project-Based Learning Activities
    (Global Digital Citizen Foundation / Activities)

2) 20 Elementary Science Projects (Teach Beside Me Blog Post)

3) The Ultimate STEM Guide for Kids: 239 Cool Sites About Science,
    Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
    (Masters in Data Science / Web Resources)

4) November STEAM / STEM Activities for Middle School Students
    (STEM Activities for Kids Website)

5) Middle School STEM Activities (Engineering Go For It STEM Activities)

6) Arts and Crafts for Kids (Education.com website Activities Grades K-12)

7) 37 Amazing Craft Ideas (Scholastic Activities Webpage)

8) Cooperative Physical Activities (PE Central Activities)

9) Cooperative Games (Mr. Gym)

10) Immigrant Legal Resource Center (DACA Resource)

11) City of Sacramento DACA Resources (DACA Resources)

12) DC School For Young Men of Color Tackles Mistrust Between Students and Police 
      (NPR Podcast by Cory Turner November 19, 2017)

13) Can Free Breakfast Improve Learning? 
      (TED Talk by Sam Kass, November 17, 2017)

14) Native American Students Fight Discrimination by Celebrating Their Heritage
      (NPR Podcast by David Sommerstein, November 16, 2017)

15) New Study Finds That 4.2 Million Kids Experience Homelessness Each Year
      (NPR Podcast by Leila Fadel, November 15, 2017)

16) How To Talk To Kids About Thanksgiving
      (NPR article by Meg Anderson, November 23, 2017)

17) Quality Standard: Healthy Choices and Behaviors Video (Video)

18) What is the Biggest Challenge Facing Expanded Learning? (The WEL Video)

19) Educated Guess Podcast (Podcast by Rodrigo Arancibia)


STEM / Non-STEM Grants:

1) The Big List of Educational Grants and Resources (Edutopia)
    (Updated on November 22, 2017)

2) Bank of the West Grants (Grant Page)

3) Wells Fargo Community Grants (California Grants Page)

4) CAN Afterschool Grants Page (CAN Webpage)

5) The Impact Foundry (Grant Page)

6) CA Arts Council Grants (Grant Page) (December 5th Webinar)


Professional Learning Sessions / Contest / Conferences / etc.

1) CalSAC Trainer Network (Deadline: December 15, 2017)

2) Abstract Art Workshop (Free) (December 5, 2017)

3) Generation Nano Superhero Contest for Middle and High School Students
    (Deadline: January 8, 2018)

4) Restorative Practices Training Sessions 
   (January 22, February 23, March 5, April 24, 2017) ($100 for the series)

5) STEM to STEAM (January 29, 2018) (Free)

6) STEM through the Lens of Quality Standards (February 26, 2018) (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 
    

August is National Back to School Month

The Region 3 Expanded Learning Triad Team hopes that this blog post finds all of you doing well. Thank you to all of those that in some way shape or form had a hand during the summer of 2017 to help stave off summer learning loss by engaging youth in summer learning programs. Hopefully at some point you were able to get a few days off to recharge your batteries and dedicate a few days to you / your family. The work you do truly changes trajectories, is important, is hard, and is rewarding. Thank you for all that you do for it is greatly appreciated and inspiring.

With that being stated this blog post is filled with resources to add to your toolkits and to assist you as you embark on the 2017-2018 academic school year. Here is to a wonderful year, with many amazing memories.



STEM /  Expanded Learning and Other Pertinent Articles: 

1) New Resources for STEM in after school from Research + Practice Collaboratory 
    (Afterschool Alliance article by Leah Silverberg July 10, 2017)

2) Evaluating Afterschool: Building an Advisory Board
    (Afterschool Alliance article by Jason Spector July 5, 2017)

3) Evaluating Afterschool: Answering Questions about Quality
    (Afterschool Alliance article by Charlotte Steinecke June 5, 2017) 

4) Do Laptops Help Learning? (NPR article by Robbie Feinberg August 18, 2017)

5) In Children's Storybooks, Realism Has Advantages
    (NPR article by Tania Lombrozo August 14, 2017)

6) 4 H is Helping Kids Plant the Seeds for Healthy Relationships
    (NPR article by Kayla Lattimore August 11, 2017)

7) Relationships Matter More Than Rules 
    (Edutopia article by Rebecca Alber August 16, 2017)

8) Building Trust with Parents
    (Edutopia article by Heather Wolpert-Gawron August 29, 2014)

9) Bite Size SEL Lessons
    (Edutopia article by Kerry Elson August 14, 2017)

10) Stirring Students' Imagination
      (Edutopia article by Diana Rivera August 8, 2017)

11) We Stand with Charlottesville
      (LIAS Blog post by Sam Phia August 16, 2017)

12) Yes, Race and Politics Belong in the Classroom
      (Education Week article by H. Richard Milner IV August 15, 2017)

13) Teaching Secrets: Get to Know Students Through Seating Challenges
      (Education Week article by Sandy Merz June 27, 2012)

14) Leveraging ESSA to Promote Science and STEM Education in States
       (Achieve article July 12, 2017)


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

1) How Do We Get Kids Hooked on Science 
    (NPR / TED Staff video by Tyler DeWitt August 11, 2017)

2) Kids Learn What it Takes to Be an Astronaut
    (NPR Staff podcast by Scott Simon August 19, 2017)

3) How Do Teachers Talk About Hate Speech
     (NPR Staff podcast by Audie Cornish August 16, 2017)

4) Five Years in, What's Next for DACA
    (NPR Staff podcast by Claudio Sanchez August 15, 2017)

5) What Can We Do To Empower Students Living in Poverty
    (NPR / TED Staff video by Linda Cliatt-Wayman August 11, 2017)

6) Ten Back to School STEM Activities to Welcome Your Class 
     And Break The Ice (Steve Spangler Activities)

7) Back to School STEM - Team Builders and Activities
    (Momgineer Blog Activities)

8) Science Activities for the First Week
    (Science Penguin Blog)

9) Science Activities and Experiments
    (Education.com Website)

10) Speak Up! Responding to Everyday Bigotry!
      (Teaching Tolerance Guide)

11) How Can Photographs Help Create Social Change
      (KQED Lesson Plan)

12) Teaching Tolerance Learning Plans
      (Teaching Tolerance)

13) Black Innovators shine through history in these animated films for kids
      (PBS News Hour)

14) Online Resources for Culturally Responsive Teachers
      (NEA Online Resources)


STEM / Non-STEM Grants:

1) The Big List of Educational Grants and Resources (Edutopia)
    (Updated on August 16, 2017)

2) Bank of the West (Grant Page) 

3) Wells Fargo Community Grants (California Grants Page)

4) CAN Afterschool Grants Page (CAN Webpage)

5) The Impact Foundry Grant Page (Updated)


Professional Learning Sessions / Contests / Symposiums / etc. 

1) CDE / CAN Grantee 101 / 201 Orientation
    (Sacramento) (August 29, 2017)

2) GEMS Electric Circuit Workshop
    (SMUD) (Cost: Free) (September 16, 2017)

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

4) GEMS Spooky Science of Energy Transformation
    (SMUD) (Cost: Free) (October 18, 2017)

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

6) California STEAM Symposium
    (December 10-11, 2017) ($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