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    

July is for Summer Learning

During summer, students with the greatest need fall further behind. Summer learning loss, or summer slide, is responsible for as much as two-thirds of the ninth grade achievement gap. Every year a child that does not participate in a summer learning opportunity puts them at risk for summer learning loss, weight gain, and unhealthy eating.

Summer learning provides uniquely innovative opportunities for learning and enrichment. Field trips, projects, and camp-like activities provide meaningful and engaging learning experiences. Unlike a remedial or mandatory summer school, high quality summer programs make learning meaningful and engaging.

For resources in regards to the following summer learning topics, please click on the following links:

1) Reports on the benefits of summer learning

2) Summer learning tools

3) Summer learning videos

4) National Summer Learning Association resources




STEM / Expanded Learning and Other Pertinent Articles:

1) There's Something Missing From STEM Learning
    (Education Week article by Susan Riley; October 2, 2017)

2) Students of Color Face Persistent Disparities in Access to Advanced
    STEM Courses
    (Education Week article by Stephen Sawchuk; April 24, 2018)

3) How to build an equitable learning community in your science classroom
    (STEM Teaching Tools article)

4) The Next Generation in Learning
    (The Signal article by Brennon Dixson; June 20, 2018)

5) San Francisco school finds key to raising math scores: Teacher Training
    (EdSource article by Carolyn Jones; July 3, 2018)

6) What Families Need to Know About Screen Time This Summer
    (NPR article by Anya Kamenetz; July 9, 2018)

7) Raising Kids Who Want to Read - Even During the Summer
    (NPR article by Cory Turner; July 2, 2018)

8) At the Education Department, Student Artworks Explore Tolerance and Racism
    (NPR article by La Johnsonr; June 29, 2018)

9) 17 Ways to Help Students with ADHD Concentrate
    (Edutopia article by Youki Terada; June 28, 2018)

10) Connecting Learning With Emotions
      (Edutopia article by Harry O'Malley; June 25, 2018)



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

1) Helping Children Identify as Readers - Starting with a Haircut
   (NPR podcast by Cory Turner; July 3, 2018)

2) Teaching Parents of Kids with Disabilities to Fight Back
    (NPR podcast by Joseph Shapiro; June 29, 2018)

3) Summer STEM Activities - 20 STEM Challenges For Summer Fun
    (STEAM Powered Family Blog: Grades 3-6)

4) 24 STEM Learning Activities for Summer STEM
    (A Dab of Glue Will Do Blog: Grades K-3)

5) STEM Learning Activities for Middle School Students
    (Illinois Valley Community College: Grades 6-8)

6) STEM Activities for Middle School Students
    (STEM Activities for Kids: Grades 6-8)

7) Expanded Learning Time in After School and Summer Enrichment Programs
   (CSU Long Beach: Grades 6-12)

8) STEM Activities and Resources for K-12 Educators
    (NSF: Grades K-12)

9) After School Technology Tool Kit
    (National After School Alliance: Grades K-12


STEM / Educational Grants:

1) CAN Funding Opportunities Webpage

2) The Impact Foundry Grant Page

3) Afterschool Alliance Webpage

4) Bank of The West Grant Page



STEAM / Miscellaneous Professional Learning Sessions / Contest / Events:

1) Science Action Club Opportunity
    (Fee: Free) (Date: Submit application by July 31,2018)

2) California Expanded Learning Summit #1 Oakland California 
    (Fee: Free) (Date: August 16, 2018)

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

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


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

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 

September 15th through October 15th National Hispanic Heritage Month

Let us recall not only this month, but every month we are fortunate to walk upon the soil of mother Earth, that diversity is our strength. Greater human beings before me have stated it more eloquently than I can ever state it, so I pass the medium on to them.

Barack Obama: "We need to reject any politics that targets people because of race or religion. This isn't a matter of political correctness. It's a matter of understanding what makes us strong. The world respects us not just for our arsenal; it respects us for our diversity and our opens and the way that we respect every faith."


Maya Angelou: "It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength."


Robert Kennedy: "America's answer to the intolerant man is diversity - there very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired."


Cesar Chavez: "We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community - and this nation."

Now that the above has been shared, let us focus our attention on to National Hispanic Heritage Month. This is the period from September 15 to October 15 in the United States, when people recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate the group's heritage and culture.

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 16, September 18, and September 2, respectively.

Here are a few additional resources for you and your expanded learning staff to access:

a) Hispanic Heritage Month Resources (Website)

b) Latinos in History (Website)

c) National Hispanic Heritage Month Activities (Website)

d) Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Website)

e) 24 Great Ideas for Hispanic Heritage Month (Website)

f) Hispanic Heritage Month: Latino Doctors, Scientists, and Educators (Website)


STEM / Expanded Learning and Other Pertinent Articles:

1) Can Teaching Civics Save Democracy 
    (NPR Article by Ariana Figueroa, September 22, 2017)

2) How One Group is Working to Build a More Diverse Teaching Force
     (NPR Article by Anya Kamenetz, September 19, 2017)

3) How to Make Every Grade Like Kindergarten
    (NPR Article by Anya Kamenetz, September 18, 2017)

4) 2016-2017 State of Expanded Learning in California
    (California After School Network)

5) Standing Up for Immigrant Kids 
    (After School Alliance blog by Sil Ganzo', September 15, 2017)

6) Girls Who Code Clubs: Prepare Girls in Your Community For the Future
     (After School Alliance blog by Leah Silverberg, September 5, 2017)

7) Kindness Curriculum Shown To Improve Grades and Relationship Skills
    (Education Week Article by Brenda Lasevoll, September 20, 2017)


STEM / STEAM / Bullying Prevention / DACA / etc. Resources:

1) NGSS Parent Guides (Spanish and English)

2) Teaching Tolerance Lesson Plans (Various Topics and Grade Levels)

3) STEM Gems Activities (National After School Alliance)

4) Bullying Prevention Activities (K-3)

5) Eyes on You Bullying Prevention Activities (Grades 4-8) 

6) Teaching Students to Prevent Bullying (Lesson Plans for Various Grades)

7) Anti-Bullying Activities for Teens (Lesson Plans)

8) There is No Apolitical Classroom (Resources for Teaching in these Times)

9) Immigrant and Refugee Children (A Guide for Educators and Support Staff)

10) DACA Resources

11) Immigrant Legal Resource Center (DACA Resources)

12) City of Sacramento DACA Resources (Sacramento)



STEM / Non-STEM Grants:

1) The Big List of Educational Grants and Resources (Edutopia)
    (Updated on September 12, 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)

6) NSF Grant Advancing Informal STEM
    (Due Date November 7, 2017)



Professional Learning Sessions / Contest / Symposiums / etc.

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

2) California Dream'n Site Coordinator Symposium

    (October 20-21, 2017) (Cost: $50.00 + slight surcharge for two-day event)

3)  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