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.

November STEM Activities for Programs

  • Bouncy Ball Factory – Youth engineer bouncy balls that meet particular criteria. Using the engineering design process, they develop and test their creations.
  • Paper Table – Youth engineer a table from a newspaper that is at least 8″ high and strong enough to hold a book.
  • Take Flight – Using everyday materials, youth engineer a glider that can fly straight for 15 feet.
  • Keep Your Cool! Design Your Own Cooler Challenge – Youth design a cooler that will keep a bottle of water cool using the engineering design process. They test their prototype and graph their results to determine the effectiveness of the solution.
  • Design a Watercraft – Youth engineering a small boat out of straws and plastic wrap that can hold weight.
  • Get it Write! – Youth engineering a writing device (pen) using everyday materials. They think about both the (water soluble) “ink” and the delivery mechanism.

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Activities & Resources for Programs – March

Activities & Resources for Programs – March

Activities Mathematics & Probability Science Activity: Asked to get an estimate for the famed mathematical constant, Pi, you might do what the ancient Greeks did: Divide the circumference of a circle by its diameter. Or you can estimate Pi by a less conventional...

Training and Professional Development – March

Training and Professional Development – March

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

Training and Professional Development – February

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...