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.

Training and Professional Development – November

ACRES Moonshot Virtual STEM Coach 

Receive a $500 stipend to attend training plus $1000 for every cohort you coach. Applications due November 23rd — Sign up today!

Are you an afterschool leader and looking to build capacity for STEM engagement in your afterschool program? Would you like to train your staff through a live, nationally recognized coaching program? In partnership with the Million Girls Moonshot, the ACRES team is looking for job-secure afterschool program leaders (i.e. Site Directors, Site Coordinators, STEM Specialists, Professional Development and Training staff) who work directly with frontline staff to be trained to become an ACRES Virtual STEM Coach. As an ACRES Virtual STEM Coach, you will build your organization’s capacity by training 3 to 6 members of your staff in at least 2 ACRES modules. This is your chance to be part of an educational change on how we train and support educators to facilitate high quality, engaging STEM that reaches all youth. 

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After-School Math Plus Curriculum Training

November 22 9:30-10:45 PST / 12:30-1:45 EST Register Here Meeting ID: 931 5017 3110

December 13th 9:30-10:45 PST / 12:30-1:45 EST Register Here Meeting ID: 931 5017 3110 

Are you a program looking for an engaging math curriculum and resources you can implement in your afterschool program immediately? In this workshop series, participants will be introduced to After-School Math Plus, an evidence-based curriculum to support students in developing a positive math identity by exploring  mathematics in everyday experiences. The highly engaging, hands-on curriculum also builds students’ awareness of the importance  of math skills for future educational choices and career options. The program engages students in grades 3-8 who are attending out-of-school-time programs. 

 

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Techbridge Girls Equity Cohort 

Research tells us that responsive learning environments can make all the difference in girls’ sustained interest in STEM. To that end, we created the STEM Equity Learning Community intensive training to equip OST program managers and site directors so that more equitable learning spaces are available for girls, especially Black, Indigenous, and Latina girls, across the U.S. 

The 2-hour, virtual STEM Equity Learning Community sessions are scheduled from January to May on the second Wednesday of each month at 10am Pacific | 1pm Eastern. Each participant will receive a $1500 stipend to participate. Apply here by December 1st. 

Attend an informational webinar November 9th 10:15am Pacific | 1:15pm Eastern. Register here

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ACRES Training Cohort: Asking Purposeful Questions

Dates: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST on the following Mondays: 11/07/2022, 11/21/2022, 12/05/2022 – Questions begin a path towards discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train new summer staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice.  This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Register: Use the code AC224PQ

 

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Science Practices Dates: 6:30 PM- 8:30 PM EST on the following Tuesdays: 11/8/2022, 11/29/2022, 12/13/2022

How can we make sure that ‘hands on’ science experiences for youth are also ‘minds on?’ In this module, participants learn how to support youth as they engage in the science practices to learn science ideas, including planning and conducting investigations around testable questions. They’ll talk about the similarities and differences of questioning in science versus questioning in engineering contexts. Register: Use the code AC283SP 

 

ACRES Training Cohort: ACRES Taster Workshop Dates: 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM EST on Thursday December 8, 2022

Come together to experience a sampling of ACRES skills. This 1-hour virtual taster session will have you reflecting on when you give youth a voice, and thinking about how you can embed math into your daily routines and will showcase lots of virtual tools. Join this live, free, hands-on, and very engaging session and you’ll be sure to leave with lots of strategies to help you facilitate STEM in your afterschool programs. Register: Use the code AC290WS 

 

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Engineering Practices Dates: 12:00 PM-2:00 PM EST on the following Tuesdays: 1/10/2023, 1/24/2023 & 2/7/2023

Engineering has become a staple of STEM programming for youth. How can we confidently bring engineering into our programming and support youth as they engage in problem-solving? In this module, you’ll  gain first-hand experience with engineering by solving a design problem. As a participant, you’ll examine the components of the engineering design process and discuss ways to model the process with youth. Asking Purposeful Questions is a prerequisite to this skill. Register: Use the code AC285EP

 

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Quality STEM Webinar: Dimensions of Success Program Planning Tool January 23rd and 25th 10:30 – 12:-00 PM PT1:30 – 3:00 PM ET (register by January 5, 2023)  

The DoS-PPT is a free resource for facilitators of out-of-school and in-school STEM learning programs. The planning tool provides a brief introduction to each dimension of the DoS framework, sample videos, and examples to guide the use of DoS when preparing activity plans for youth. During this training, participants will:

  1. Develop high-level understanding of the DoS Framework, dimensions of quality
  2. Working with the PPT learn how to plan high quality STEM learning experiences using the DoS Program Planning Tool
  3. Work with the newly revised DoS Program Planning Tool to identify and plan for high-quality program and activity planning practices.

 

ACRES Training Cohort: Facilitating Science Practices Dates: 6:30 PM- 8:30 PM EST on the following Tuesdays: 11/8/2022, 11/29/2022, 12/13/2022

How can we make sure that ‘hands on’ science experiences for youth are also ‘minds on?’ In this module, participants learn how to support youth as they engage in the science practices to learn science ideas, including planning and conducting investigations around testable questions. They’ll talk about the similarities and differences of questioning in science versus questioning in engineering contexts. Register: Use the code AC283SP.

 

ACRES Training Cohort: ACRES Taster Workshop

Dates: 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM EST on Thursday December 8, 2022

Come together to experience a sampling of ACRES skills. This 1-hour virtual taster session will have you reflecting on when you give youth a voice, and thinking about how you can embed math into your daily routines and will showcase lots of virtual tools. Join this live, free, hands-on, and very engaging session and you’ll be sure to leave with lots of strategies to help you facilitate STEM in your afterschool programs. Register: Use the code AC290WS

 

Quality STEM Webinar: Dimensions of Success Program Planning Tool January 23rd and 25th 10:30 – 12:00 PM PT 1:30 – 3:00 PM ET (register by January 5, 2023)  

The DoS-PPT is a free resource for facilitators of out-of-school and in-school STEM learning programs. The planning tool provides a brief introduction to each dimension of the DoS framework, sample videos, and examples to guide the use of DoS when preparing activity plans for youth. During this training, participants will:

  1. Develop high-level understanding of the DoS Framework, dimensions of quality
  2. Working with the PPT learn how to plan high quality STEM learning experiences using the DoS Program Planning Tool
  3. Work with the newly revised DoS Program Planning Tool to identify and plan for high-quality program and activity planning practices.

 

Role Models Matters Training for STEM Volunteers

Ready to train volunteers and role models in your Network, school, or afterschool program? COMPLETE THIS REGISTRATION FORM to gain access to the Role Models Matter training developed by Techbridge Girls.

 

ACRES Moonshot Virtual STEM Coach 

Are you an afterschool leader and looking to build capacity for STEM engagement in your afterschool program? Would you like to train your staff through a live, nationally recognized coaching program? In partnership with the Million Girls Moonshot, the ACRES team is looking for job-secure afterschool program leaders (i.e. Site Directors, Site Coordinators, STEM Specialists, Professional Development and Training staff) who work directly with frontline staff to be trained to become an ACRES Virtual STEM Coach. As an ACRES Virtual STEM Coach, you will build your organization’s capacity by training 3 to 6 members of your staff in at least 2 ACRES modules. This is your chance to be part of an educational change on how we train and support educators to facilitate high quality, engaging STEM that reaches all youth.

You will receive a $500 stipend to attend the training plus $1000 for every cohort you coach. Applications due November 23rd — Sign up today!

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