Selected Professional Development Materials for ISL STEM Programs
Materials for professional development are provided. PowerPoint slides and an accompanying Facilitator's Guide can be customized for professional development offered to STEM summer program staff or used individually for self-study.
Professional Development Resources on Activities and Settings Developed by the STEM IE Project
Professional Development Resources for Enhancing Quality Developed by the STEM IE Project
Professional Development Resources on Making Content Relevant Developed by the STEM IE Project
Professional Development Resources on Supporting Agency Developed by the STEM IE Project
Professional Development Resources on Fostering Interest Developed by the STEM IE Project
Click2Science
Click2Science is an interactive, professional development site for trainers, coaches, site directors, and frontline staff/volunteers working in out-of-school time programs serving children and youth. The site provides free online video-based training modules, webinars, and self-directed web lessons as well as connection to a learning community focused on 20 key skills necessary to implement STEM content effectively in afterschool settings. It was developed by the Nebraska Extension with funding from the Noyce Foundation.
You for Youth
You for Youth is an initiative of the United States Department of Education that provides 21st Century Community Learning Centers with professional development materials, technical assistance, and free resources including lessons plans and STEM activity guides. Toolkits for science, technology and mathematics;are available.
The National Center for Quality Afterschool
SEDL
SEDL is an affiliate of the American Institutes for Research, provides an Internet-based afterschool training toolkit that can be used free of charge by afterschool programs. The STEM- related materials available on the website are outlined here along with links to the resources.
Science
Principles for afterschool programs to follow are briefly described in the Investigating Science Through Inquiry Afterschool section of SEDL’s website. Definitions, guidelines, and the rationale for using an inquiry approach are found there. Featured practices include exploring science through projects and problems; integrating science with other fields such as art (STEAM); engaging families and communities with science; and tutoring to enhance science skills. The five E’s instructional model (engaging/exciting, exploring, explaining, extending, and evaluating) is presented. Lesson planning templates and sample lesson plans are provided. A science standards refresher for the middle grades is available. A video exemplifies key ideas and practices for exploring science through inquiry.
Exploring Trebuchets (10:20) shows elementary and middle school students using inquiry skills as they participate in an activity. An Instructor’s Guide to the Afterschool Training Toolkit is a valuable resource for the professional development of program staff seeking to enhance science content.
Technology
The Use of Technology in Afterschool section includes principles for quality technology activities, guidelines for choosing the right tools for your program, a standards refresher, and a set of practices along with guidelines and lesson planning tools and examples.
Mathematics
Embedding Math Content in Afterschool presents three key ideas for enhancing mathematics learning in afterschool programs. Links to practices and support materials can be found in the box to the right on the landing page. The Implementation Considerations section includes a lesson planning worksheet and describes four teaching strategies that are valuable practices for enhancing the learning of mathematics. Three videos exemplify the key ideas and practices:
Finding Math: Rhythm and Beats (5:05) shows sixth-grade students use counting and fractions to compose and perform percussion beats;
Charts, Maps, & Graphs: Finding Treasure (5:22) shows middle school students using coordinates on a treasure map to review basic geometric concepts; and
Math Games: Getting to 24 (4:10) shows sixth-grade students playing the game "24," using various mathematical operations to get a total of 24, which is a fun way to practice and review mathematical operations.
Young Adult Library Services Association STEAM Programming Toolkit
The STEM Resources Task Force of the Young Adult Library Services Association developed a toolkit that serves as a guide for programs wanting to understand and provide programming integrating STEM and art (STEAM). The guide provides background, resources, and practical advice and tools.
Afterschool Alliance STEM Curriculum and Activities
The Afterschool Alliance is a national organization that advocates for afterschool programs. The Afterschool and STEM Learning section of their website contains a compiled a list of resources to support programs in providing STEM programs and activities. The Curriculum Resources and Activities section may be of particular practical interest to programs and practitioners.
SciGirls SciGirls is a PBS television show that focuses on engaging girls in STEM. The accompanying interactive website provides videos and resources. The accompanying SciGirls Connect website provides research-based educational resources, encouragement, and support for both formal and informal science educators about how to engage girls in science. Partners include afterschool programs, summer camps, and universities.
Empowering Teachers to Enhance Adolescents’ Motivation for Science (ETEAMS)
The ETEAMS project focuses on research-based information and tools for motivating adolescents in science classrooms. The motivational constructs and background information will be valuable for practitioners in ISL programs.
Beyond the Bell Toolkit
The Beyond the Bell Toolkit is a resource for afterschool program directors and site managers that is focused on the foundational organizational practices (e.g., management, program design and delivery, partnerships, evaluation, and improvement) that underpin a quality afterschool program. For ISL programs specifically, the following tools may be of particular interest:
