Advocacy

Lights On Afterschool

Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year.

This year, we celebrate all we have accomplished and overcome at Lights On Afterschool on Friday, October 8th, 2021. We will be at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota for dinner, a program and the lighting ceremony.

Learn More About Afterschool in South Dakota

Contact Your Legislator

Find your legislator to share information about how Afterschool makes a difference in South Dakota.

Find My Legislators

Contact Your Legislator

Find your legislator to share information about how Afterschool makes a difference in South Dakota.

Find My Legislators

Children’s Day at the Capitol

Children’s Day at the Capitol certainly looks a lot different this year. We’ve pivoted in response to COVID and are looking forward to chatting virtually with legislators on February 1, 2021.

We are excited to unveil our latest project, South Dakota’s First Ever Searchable Map of Afterschool.

To better understand the state of afterschool in South Dakota, we have initiated an exciting project to map and assess the afterschool landscape and gather data on individual programs.

Although the project is not yet completed, the findings we have thus far are startling—showing large deserts of care across the state.

Learn More About Afterschool in South Dakota

Advocacy Updates and Resources

Transformative Practices – August

by Lisa Verdin | Aug 9, 2022 | Academics & Enrichment, Accelerating Learning, Advocacy, SDAN, STEM Activities, STEM in Afterschool

Engineering Mindsets National Aviation Day Try Engineering Lesson Plan: Take Flight! - This lesson for ages 8-12 explores how flight is possible and how engineers have improved glider designs and materials to improve flight accuracy and distance. NASA’s...

Transformative Practices – July

by Lisa Verdin | Jul 6, 2022 | Academics & Enrichment, Accelerating Learning, Advocacy, SDAN, STEM Activities, STEM in Afterschool

Engineering Mindsets Article: What STEM Mindset Is … and Why Everyone Should Have One - This article describes how 21st century skills, growth mindset, and habits of mind all contribute to a STEM mindset Website: DiscoverE | Engineering activities for kids, resources...

Transformative Practices – June

by Lisa Verdin | Jun 6, 2022 | Academics & Enrichment, Accelerating Learning, Advocacy, SDAN, STEM Activities, STEM in Afterschool

Families Are you looking to meaningfully engage K-8 families in STEM this summer and fall? The Institute for the Study of Resilience in Youth (ISRY) at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School, in partnership with STEM Next, wants to learn more about how to support...

Transformative Practices – May

by Lisa Verdin | May 9, 2022 | Academics & Enrichment, Accelerating Learning, Advocacy, SDAN, STEM Activities, STEM in Afterschool

For AAPI Heritage Month - Role Model Ambassador Profile of Dr. Claire Meaders Long Profile of Dr. Claire Meaders Short Profile 1 of Dr. Claire Meaders Equity and Inclusion Article: Equity in Math Class: 5 Tips for Teachers - WeAreTeachers - Ways to Build Equity into...

April Activities for Programs

by South Dakota Afterschool Network | Apr 11, 2022 | Academics & Enrichment, Advocacy, SDAN, STEM Activities, STEM in Afterschool

Activity Plans for Earth Day: Math and Climate Change - Teach about the climate by understanding the math. This website has a variety of k-12 activities that teach and encourage youth to care for the planet. Activity: Piles of Paper - In this activity, learners keep...

Additional Professional Development – March

by South Dakota Afterschool Network | Mar 6, 2022 | Advocacy, Culturally Responsive Practices, SDAN, STEM Activities, STEM in Afterschool

Webinar March 24, 2022: Join the Discussion to Celebrate Women in STEM to hear about the challenges and successes of women in STEM. REGISTER HERE Recording: The IF/THEN® Collection in Action... at Museums! - Join representatives from ASTC member museums as they...

Transformative Practices – March

by South Dakota Afterschool Network | Mar 6, 2022 | Academics & Enrichment, Accelerating Learning, Advocacy, SDAN, STEM Activities, STEM in Afterschool

Engineering Mindsets - Math Professional Development Guide: The National Center for Quality Afterschool - Math in Afterschool - The National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning developed professional development guides for four content areas of the...

Quality Improvement Opportunity – Apply Today!

by South Dakota Afterschool Network | Mar 6, 2022 | Advocacy, Local Funding Opportunities, National Funding Opportunities, SDAN, STEM Activities, STEM in Afterschool

If you expect to be conducting an engineering camp or leading engineering activities for middle school youth this summer, you may be able to help with the Million Girls Moonshot (MGM) evaluation. In exchange for your assistance, we will provide $2,000 for program...

IF/THEN Collection: User Guides and Resources

by South Dakota Afterschool Network | Mar 6, 2022 | Academics & Enrichment, Advocacy, SDAN, STEM Activities, STEM in Afterschool

Looking for resources to support gender equity in your classrooms and programs? The IF/THEN® Collection is a free digital library with photos, videos, posters, and more, featuring diverse women STEM innovators – all available for educational and other non-commercial...