A youth from Oregon, Helena Miller from Salem, has been chosen to be part of the national 2024 Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew. This crew is comprised of 51 young individuals from all 50 states, dedicated to advocating for out-of-school STEM learning and equity in STEM opportunities for youth nationwide. Helena's selection is a recognition of her active involvement in various extracurricular activities, including robotics, climate education, documentary filmmaking, DECA (business education and simulations), Public Library Teen Advisory work, school-community engagement, and efforts to encourage more middle school girls to enroll in High School Computer Science classes and Robotics activities. Congratulations to Helena Miller on this remarkable achievement!
Helena says, “Entering a field where you may not feel welcomed can be intimidating, but don’t let others’ prejudices stop you from doing what you love. You have unique and valuable experiences and insights to share. There will be people who support you.”
OregonASK is delighted to tap into the expertise of the Flight Crew. Youth voice and insight into their afterschool STEM experiences will help us amplify the importance of our work and its impact on the lives of millions of young people, their families, and communities.
Our Flight Crew will promote and share more about OST STEM by:
- Finding opportunities to speak to policymakers, business leaders, and other important partners (like promoting House Bill 4082) for summer funding
- Connecting with media to give interviews and/or write op-eds to deliver their STEM stories and highlight the impact of OST STEM in their lives; and
- Sharing their stories and experiences on social media. Follow OregonASK on Facebook & X (Twitter)
Upcoming Professional Development & Partnership Opportunities
March 8th, 11 - 12:30pm: Virtual OregonASK Partner Meeting | Rsvp
March 11, 12-1:30pm: Engagement Session For DELC Strategic Plan & CCDF State Plan | Register here
March 13th, 9:30 - 11am: Equitable STEM & CCL Community of Practice, Neurodiversity | Sign up
March 19th, 1:00 - 3:00pm: STEM Coaching with OregonASK | Sign up
March 27th, 9-11:30am: Early Learning Success Initiative Listening Session | Register here
April 26-27th, OregonASK Spring Conference in Eugene | Registration now open!
Farewell to Rachel
It is with both a heavy heart and immense gratitude that we say goodbye to Rachel Kessler, our esteemed Learning Design Coordinator, who has been an invaluable asset to OregonASK over the past nine years. Rachel's dedication and expertise as a master trainer have left an indelible mark on countless youth development professionals across the state. Her adeptness in facilitating meaningful conversations, collaborating with partners, and her talent for crafting comprehensive curriculum from scratch have been exceptional. While we are saddened to see her leave, we wholeheartedly support Rachel as she embarks on her new journey, dedicating her full attention to her business, Rachel Kessler Studio.
Now Hiring Training & Partnership Coordinator
If you're excited about connecting & partnering with afterschool & summer programs across the state and possess strong facilitation and training skills, this opportunity could be a perfect fit for you! Click the button below to learn more.
Summer Learning (HB 4082) Update 3.1.24
HB 4082 passed the Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education on Wednesday 2.28.24 with a $30 million investment for 2024 summer learning programs. The bill now heads to the full Ways and Means Committee later today 3.1.24. We will keep you updated as we learn more.
Upcoming Professional Development with OregonASK
Registration now open! OregonASK Spring Conference 2024
Inspire, Connect, Thrive: Nurturing Growth in Expanded Learning
April 26th and 27th, 2024
Camp Harlow in Eugene, OR | Save your spot today!
Join us for two days of enriching professional development at our upcoming conference for just $150. Your registration covers 9.5 hours of valuable learning sessions, comfortable overnight lodging in Camp Harlow's onsite rugged bunk style cabins, three delicious meals, and unlimited coffee & tea throughout the day.
Don't miss our inspiring Friday evening keynote workshop featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Johnny Lake. This interactive session will earn you 3 hours of professional development credit and provide a platform for discussions on equity and best practices, supporting the Portrait of a Thriving Youth framework.
After an engaging day of learning, unwind in the vibrant atmosphere of Frank's Place, the on-site 50’s style diner themed game room equipped with a pool table, 2 carpet ball tables, a ping-pong table, an air hockey table, foosball table, and cozy café tables. Then enjoy some friendly competition on Camp Harlow's miniature golf course.
The next day, you’ll enjoy a community breakfast and mapping art project with other attendees. At lunch, you’ll participate in an inspiring keynote from Dr. Ross Anderson around creativity and how creative engagement catalyzes our human flourishing.
Workshop topics include…
- Evaluating the Key Factors of Thriving Youth Through Supportive Adult Interactions
- Discovering Literacy with STEM
- Tolerating Ambiguity & Finding Humor: Practicing Creative Engagement for our Well-Being
- Structure and Clear Limits: Meeting the Developmental Needs of Youth
- Failing Forward & the Engineering Design Process
- How are you creative? Why this simple reframing frees us to flourish
- Using the Oregon Employability Skills Curriculum & Lessons in Out of School Time Programs
- Engaging with Youth to Develop their Connections to their Peers
- The Power of Play with Playworks
Join us for a fun weekend of inspiration and connection!
Scholarships are available for participating afterschool & summer programs located in rural areas around Oregon. Learn more and apply here!
Featured Asynchronous Course of the Month: Discovering Literacy with STEM
Check out our new online/asynchronous training, Discovering Literacy with STEM! Participants will explore STEM processes that will help them to design and develop STEM activities, providing hands-on fun for their after school program. This training will examine the five main pillars of literacy development, helping you to choose engaging books to read-aloud that reinforce concepts in STEM activities, and apply simple strategies to reinforce literacy skills for all ages in your program. Register here!
Check out all of our other low cost Oregon Registry aligned asynchronous training options here
STEM Group Coaching with OregonASK
What has your experience been using STEM Afterschool? What are the difficulties? What have the success stories been? OregonASK wants to know how to support your STEM efforts Afterschool, in order to make them work best for all of your program needs! Join us for a great conversation about STEM afterschool, learn from your peers, and get concrete tips and resources for taking advantage of STEM to boost your youth engagement, hands-on fun, and Social Emotional Learning.
During this session, we will ask questions to get you started on exploring your own program's
essential reasons for doing STEM, identifying your goals or "ideal outcomes" for youth, families and staff, overcoming your specific barriers or challenges, and moving forward in achieving your STEM goals.
Friday, March 19th from 1:00-3:00pm | Register here
Equitable STEM & Career-Connected Learning Community of Practice
We invite anyone interested to attend the next meeting of the OregonASK Equitable STEM & Career-connected Learning Community of Practice: This time we will be sharing tools and strategies to more equitably engage neurodiverse youth.
Chances are many more children and youth in afterschool and summer camp STEM programs are "neurodiverse" than you realize. What is neurodiversity? (Hint: it encompasses much more than just "being on the spectrum" and includes many types of learning differences.) What simple and low-cost strategies can we use to support neurodiverse children and youth to promote more equitable participation in and access to STEM, CCL & other programs? These and other topics will be discussed at a highly-interactive workshop and listening session at the next Equitable STEM and CCL Cohort meeting on March 13. We are excited to welcome Meeta Sharma-Holt, MSW, to share her expertise on the topic and start a meaningful dialogue so we can continue to advance equitable practices in our programs.
Wednesday, March 13 from 9:30 - 11:00 | Register here
National Resources
Centering Equitable Approaches to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in OST
As part of OregonASK’s ongoing work supporting Oregon Healthy Schools, we are happy to share a national opportunity to join the Centering Equitable Approaches to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in OST Community of Practice (CoP). This learning series will host experienced OST professionals sharing promising practices that align with advancing equity, healthy eating, and physical activity. Time will be allotted for participants to examine their own practices and policies related to the topic and collaborate with peers to discuss challenges and solutions for advancing health equity in OST.
Register for the chance to:
Learn about promising practices and strategies to enhance equitable approaches to healthy eating and physical activity in OST.
Collaborate with peers to identify barriers and solutions to implementing evidence-based health equity practices in OST.
Receive responsive technical assistance (TA) from experienced CAHE-OST TA associates.
Explore Unique Summer Potential with NSLA's Summer Planning Bootcamp!
Registration is open for NSLA's free virtual Summer Planning Bootcamp on March 6-7, 2024 to prepare for a fun and productive summer.
Summer is a canvas of opportunity for youth to explore, learn, play, dream, move, create, and connect. All children deserve access to an enriching summer experience that supports their personal and academic development. Let’s create unique opportunities for students that will continue to impact their growth beyond the summertime! Register for Summer Planning Bootcamp today!
Who Should Attend?
Anyone who works with youth during the summer months or cares about summer learning. Leaders from schools, community-based programs, camps, libraries, outdoor education programs, and more.
The two-day webinar series is designed to equip you with tools, ideas, and best practices to elevate your summer program planning game. Guided by dynamic experts and leaders, Day 1 will focus on policy and research, student well-being, and using summer to promote youth voice, nature, community service, college prep, and career exposure. Day 2 will be centered around academic support, creative enrichment activities, and partnerships to support and reach more youth.
March 6-7th, 2024 from 10-12pm PT
Register here!
FREE ACRES Coaching: Make Math Engaging in Afterschool
Completion of the Asking Purposeful Questions module is a prerequisite for this module.
Are you looking for fun ways to help youth build number sense and problem-solving skills? Math can take on new meaning when it is integrated into daily routines in our afterschool programs. In this module, afterschool educators will explore and practice strategies for making math engaging and accessible. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. Completion of the Asking Purposeful Questions module is a prerequisite for this module.
Wednesdays: 3/6, 3/20, and 4/3/2024 11:00 - 1:00 pm PST
Register using the code: AC361MP (Coach Hannah L)
Info Session about Micro-credentials and Digital Badging for Afterschool Professionals
ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM) is excited to offer additional Information Sessions about STEM micro-credentials, which are competency-based, digital badges for afterschool and out-of-school professionals offered through the National Afterschool Association. These sessions are free, live, interactive, and one hour in length. You will learn about what Micro-credentials are and how to apply for them.
Wednesday, March 6th 6:00 - 7:00pm EST / 3:00 - 4:00pm PST
Complete the form to register, choose the date that works best for you, and we'll reach out to you with the Zoom link. FMI contact acres@mmsa.org (Note: It isn’t necessary to attend more than one informational session as the content is consistent.)
Voices from Around Oregon
Early Literacy Success Initiative Listening Session
In 2023 the Oregon Legislature passed the Early Literacy Success Initiative. This bill directs the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to help community-based groups - including after school and summer programs - support families and young children develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
ODE is partnering with Oregon’s Kitchen Table (OKT) to hear from people across the state about this topic. Oregon’s Kitchen Table is a statewide program that creates ways for community members to influence the decisions that affect their lives.
From mid-March to early April, OKT will have different opportunities for community organizations and families to share what they think. As part of the community engagement, OKT will be hosting a Zoom conversation with OregonASK to hear about your experiences and ideas and what could be most helpful to you in your work supporting families and children as they develop early literacy skills.
Your input will help ODE create a framework and set of tools for community groups to use starting later this spring.
March 27, 2024 from 9-11:30am
Register here to participate
Engagement Session For DELC Strategic Plan & CCDF State Plan
The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is in the process of developing their first agency strategic plan and drafting the Oregon Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan for the Fiscal Year 2025-2027 plan cycle.
They are currently in the feedback gathering portion of development and we would like to hear from you. Join us for this engagement session to learn more and share feedback.
March 11th from 12-1:30pm
Register here
Elevating Youth Voice
OregonASK has been working since the fall to collect youth feedback about their own experiences in summer and afterschool. These responses will be able to be shared with legislators as we elevate the value and importance of summer experiences from the youth perspective.
Please join in by having youth in your program take this short survey.
These youth responses will be shared with Oregon Legislators to help them see the true value and importance of summer camps and programs in the success of Oregon's youth.
OregonASK, ESDs, STEM Hubs & Community Organizations Partnering for Increased Access for Youth
With a proposed $30 million in summer funding possibly going through eligible school districts this summer (and a requirement that districts work with at least one community partner for their summer programs), OregonASK has been teaming up with ESDs to facilitate partnerships and collaborative solutions. Southern Oregon ESD, the Southern Oregon STEM Hub and OregonASK have recently held regional events so that collaborators from community organizations, industry, and education can meet, share knowledge and strengthen community ties. With a focus on youth development, STEM (science, technology, engineering & math), career-connected learning and building thriving communities, we have been working on ideas to facilitate connections and partnerships for summer and beyond, with the goal of maximizing access for every youth (or family) who would like to participate in out-of-school-time opportunities.
After the convenings in Medford, Grants Pass & Klamath Falls, we are also planning events in Roseburg and Salem, and meeting with ESDs in Central Oregon about hosting these types of networking and collaborative events.
If you are interested in being involved with any of our upcoming partnership work or would like to help with a collaborative event in your area, please contact amber.lomascola@oregonask.org or monica.mcqueen@oregonask.org
