The South Dakota Afterschool Network works to better our state and its communities by connecting providers, parents and policymakers with proven tools and resources to increase the quality of and access to out-of-school time programming for K-12 children and youth.

Afterschool is a lifeline that keeps youth safe, helps kids learn and grow, and provides parents the ability to work without worry. While South Dakota is home to more than 300 afterschool programs, the demand for programs exceeds available spaces. In fact, 1 in 3 South Dakota children (34 percent) who are not in an afterschool program would be enrolled if it were available. That’s more than 42,000 children who are missing out on opportunities to participate in programming that supports their development academically, socially and economically.

Afterschool can provide valuable opportunities for students to explore STEM, and we are here to help your program succeed in STEM Learning! From webinars and trainings to our signature TMC Trailers that bring turnkey STEM activities to your doorstep, our diverse collection of resources meets you and your students where you are and provides the support you need to deliver quality programming to your students at any age. 

The South Dakota Afterschool Network wanted to create a mapping tool to better understand the landscape of afterschool and summer programs available for children and families. From the initial launch of the new mapping tool, we have identified some startling findings.

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant – IF/THEN Ambassador

Biography

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant is a large carnivore ecologist with an expertise in investigating how humans can influence the behavior and ecology of large carnivores. She frequently travels to northeastern Montana where she is studying grizzly bear movement, behavior, and predation. Her previous research has been with black bears in the West, African lions in rural Kenya and Tanzania, gorillas and chimpanzees in the Congo Basin, as well as grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

A native Californian, Dr. Wynn-Grant attributes her interest in wildlife and conservation from the television shows she watched as a child. Dr. Wynn-Grant received her B.S. in Environmental Studies from Emory University, her M.S. in Environmental Studies from Yale University, and her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from Columbia University. She is currently a Fellow with National Geographic Society and maintains a Visiting Scientist position at the American Museum of Natural History, and adjunct faculty positions at Columbia University and Johns Hopkins University. She is a public speaker, story teller, and science communicator

Learn more about Dr. Rae Wynn- Grant here:

 

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Training and Professional Development – March

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LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES SoDakSACA Leadership Retreat April 18-20: The SoDakSACA Leadership Retreat is always a great spring event. Don't miss out. Register here.     ____________________________________________________________________________ WEBINARS Trainings...

Training and Professional Development – February

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LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES Child & Family Resource Network On-Demand Training Access a variety of on-demand style training from the Child & Family Resource Network. From Child Care Orientation to Ongoing Health & Safety Training, staff have quick and easy access...