Taking Root: Strengthening STEM in Afterschool STEM Resource Packet: Activity Reflection Form – Designed for use by staff to note self‐reflections after leading STEM activities with youth. Allows them to reflect on a variety of components related to planning and implementing the activities as well as things to consider for next time. Observation and Feedback Form: Used by PASE STEM Coaches to provide feedback on STEM activities observed at an afterschool program. Can be adapted by program supervisors who observe their staff leading STEM activities. Field Trip Planning Guide – One page form to help afterschool providers outline each stage of preparation for a STEM‐related field trip. (Draft copy) Cultural Institutions List – Listing of STEM related cultural and educational institutions with websites. These institutions serve as possible locations for field trips, to bring into your program and/or to develop STEM partnerships. STEM Curricula Selection Guide ‐ Designed for afterschool providers in the process of choosing STEM curricula for their program. It’s meant to be a comprehensive, but not exhaustive list of criteria to look for in any given STEM curricula. It can also be used to assess STEM curricula developed by the afterschool program. STEM Curricula List: Sampling of STEM curricula appropriate for use in afterschool settings. Includes name of curriculum, developer, target grade(s) and cost. (Draft copy) Action Planning Form: Designed to help afterschool providers reflect on what staff and organization has in place and needs to do in order to build capacity to offer STEM activities. (Draft copy) Partnership for After School Education (PASE) 120 Broadway, Suite 230, New York, NY 10271 www.pasesetter.org
Taking Root: Strengthening STEM in Afterschool Activity Reflection Form Date of Activity: ______________________________________________________________________ Activity: Curricula: ☐ Yes ☐ No If yes, curricula name: ______________________________________________ Person Completing Reflection Form: _______________________________________________________ Participants (# of youth; age):_____________________________________________________________ Planning
Yes
Somewhat
No
a. Did I set aside enough time to prepare
O
O
O
b. Did I practice activity beforehand
O
O
O
c. If co‐facilitating, did we identify specific roles we each would play, including planning, leading, and supporting one another
O
O
O
d. Were materials ready, accessible and the amount sufficient for activity
O
O
O
e. Was I comfortable with STEM content
O
O
O
Comments/Ideas
Partnership for After School Education – Strengthening STEM Activity Reflection Form
During
Yes
Somewhat
No
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
d. Did I ask open‐ended questions
O
O
O
e. Did I encourage observation and exploration
O
O
O
f. Did I circulate during activity to ensure all youth were participating
O
O
O
g. Did I circulate during activity to encourage discussion and exploration
O
O
O
h. Did I engage the whole group in sharing and debrief of activity
O
O
O
i. Did I provide a way for youth to document findings and discoveries
O
O
O
j. Did I have youth engage in clean‐up from activity
O
O
O
a. Did I allocate enough time for entire activity b. Did I demonstrate how to do activity before having youth to do activity c. Did I check for understanding of instructions before having youth do activity
Comments/Ideas
Partnership for After School Education – Strengthening STEM Activity Reflection Form
Post a. During what parts of the activity, if any, did youth seem most engaged? b. During what parts of the activity, if any, did youth struggle? c. I would do this activity again as written (or as I had already modified)
☐Maybe
☐ Yes
☐No
Why? d. I would do this activity again with some modifications What would those modifications be and why? e. Any other challenges or observations for you?
Partnership for After School Education – Strengthening STEM Activity Reflection Form
☐ Yes
☐Maybe
☐No
PASE – STRENGTHENING STEM PROGRAM OBSERVATION & FEEDBACK FORM
STRENGTHENING STEM PROGRAM OBSERVATION & FEEDBACK FORM GENERAL INFORMATION Organization/Site: Observer: SITE Activity Observed 1)
Date:
TYPE OF SPACE Cafeteria
STAFF (write name) Master Trainer
Classroom Gym Auditorium
Group Leader
Library Computer Lab
# OF YOUTH
GRADE LEVEL(S) K
5
1
6
2
7
3
8
4 Group Leader
Hall Playground 2)
Cafeteria
Master Trainer
Classroom Gym Auditorium
Group Leader
Library Computer Lab
K
5
1
6
2
7
3
8
4 Group Leader
Hall Playground 3)
Cafeteria
Master Trainer
Classroom Gym Auditorium
Group Leader
Library Computer Lab Hall Playground
K
5
1
6
2
7
3
8
4 Group Leader
PASE – STRENGTHENING STEM PROGRAM OBSERVATION & FEEDBACK FORM
STAFFING Staff implementing have been trained by PASE Staff implementing have been trained by Master Trainer Staff have scheduled time for planning/co-planning SPACE Space big enough for activities.
Y
N
OBSERVATION
RECOMMENDATION
Y
SW
N
OBSERVATION
RECOMMENDATION
Y
SW
N
OBSERVATION
RECOMMENDATION
Y
SW
OBSERVATION
RECOMMENDATION
Chairs and tables available for all participants Set-up supports activity (i.e. demonstration area, tables covered with newspaper, groupings if small group activity, etc.) MATERIALS Materials are readily accessible
There are sufficient materials for the activity Materials are appropriate for the activity IMPLEMENTATION Staff are actively involved during activity (i.e. provide directions, demonstrate activity, circulate during activity, answer questions) Staff ask open-ended questions throughout activity Staff appear enthusiastic about STEM Staff appear comfortable with STEM content and scientific inquiry process The bulk of the activity have youth engaging with materials or ideas. The activity provides all youth the opportunity to discuss what they are doing, thinking, and learning to others
N
PASE – STRENGTHENING STEM PROGRAM OBSERVATION & FEEDBACK FORM
IMPLEMENTATION All youth have opportunity to engage in scientific process (i.e. observing, making & testing hypotheses, making conclusions based on tests) All youth have opportunity to document observations
Y
SW
N
OBSERVATION
RECOMMENDATION
Youth are encouraged to take activity into new or unplanned direction
POST Please list any additional recommendations you made to the organization during the observation.
Strengthening STEM in Afterschool: Field Trip Planning Guide TRIP SPECIFICS: When
Where
How
#’s attending TRIP RATIONALE: Why are you taking the trip?
Connection to STEM BEFORE THE TRIP: Background Info Discussion Topic/Questions
Reading Material
Project/Activity DURING THE TRIP: Guidelines
Observation/Focus
Materials AFTER THE TRIP: Discussion Topic/Questions
Project/Activity EVALUATION: What’s evidence of success?
Youth
Staff
Parents
Strengthening STEM in Afterschool Cultural and STEM Institutions
Organization
Website
Alley Pond Environmental Center
http://alleypond.com
American Museum of Natural History
amnh.org
Audubon – New York
http://ny.audubon.org/birds‐1
Beczak Environmental Center (Yonkers)
http://www.beczak.org/home.htm
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
http://www.bbg.org/
Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy
brooklynbridgepark.org
Brooklyn Children's Museum
brooklynkids.org
Brooklyn Navy Yard
http://bldg92.org/
Brooklyn Public Library
brooklynpubliclibrary.org
Center for Architecture Foundation
http://www.cfafoundation.org/
Cell Motion Laboratories ‐ BioBus
biobus.org/education
City Parks Foundation
cityparksfoundation.org
Clearwater
http://www.clearwater.org/
Community Environmental Center
http://www.cecenter.org/ecohouse/
Environmental Education Advisory Council of NYC ‐ Local Links to Organizations Eyebeam
http://www.eeac‐nyc.org/links.asp
Gateway Ecology Village ‐ Brooklyn Ecology Camping Experience Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex
718‐338‐3338 ext 274
Invent‐abling
invent‐abling.com
eyebeam.org
intrepidmuseum.org/Education.aspx
Organization
Website
MakerState
maker‐state.com
Materials for the Arts
mfta.org
Museum of Math
www.momath.org
NYC Urban Park Rangers
nyc.gov/parks
New York Botanical Garden
http://www.nybg.org/
New York Hall of Science
www.nysci.org
New York Restoration Project Pixel Academy
http://www.nyrp.org/Kids_Parents_Teachers
Queens County Farm Museum
http://www.queensfarm.org/
Queens Public Library
queenslibrary.org
Salvadori Center
salvadori.org
Snug Harbor Cultural Center
www.snug‐harbor.og
Sony Wonder Technology Lab
sonywondertechlab.com
Staten Island Green Belt
http://sigreenbelt.org/
Staten Island Museum
statenislandmuseum.org/education
Staten Island Zoo
www.statenislandzoo.org
Wave Hill
www.wavehill.org
Wildlife Conservation Society
pixelacademy.org
Bronx Zoo: http://www.bronxzoo.com Central Park Zoo: http://www.centralparkzoo.com New York Aquarium (Brooklyn): http://www.nyaquarium.com Prospect Park Zoo: http://www.prospectparkzoo.com Queens Zoo: http://www.queenszoo.com
Strengthening STEM in Afterschool Guide to Selecting STEM Curricula This STEM Curricula Selection Guide is designed for afterschool providers in the process of choosing STEM curricula for their program. It’s meant to be a comprehensive, but not exhaustive list of criteria to look for in any given STEM curricula. Not all STEM curricula will necessarily meet all of the criteria outlined below. Afterschool providers ultimately must decide which criteria are most important to them when selecting curricula. Curriculum Information Name of Curriculum Developer
Age Group/Grade
# of Core Activities/Sessions Cost of Curriculum
Training Required?
Cost of Training
Selection Criteria* Yes Youth Experience Incorporates different learning styles Involves students in decision‐making, planning, problem‐ solving, risk‐taking and reflection (higher‐order thinking skills) Increases students’ sense of self as learners Supports the development of a STEM identity Planning and Preparation Activity preparation time is manageable Uses easy to obtain materials Cost and Materials Curriculum is affordable Materials are affordable Training is affordable, if applicable
No
Don't Know
Selection Criteria* Curriculum Structure and Content Addresses the STEM through informal activities Has been piloted and field‐tested Has a leader guide that is user‐friendly and accessible Infuses youth development approaches Sessions/activities can be done in informal settings Is adaptable for urban settings Number of sessions/activities is appropriate for content Offers suggestions for extension activities Length of sessions/activities is appropriate Is appropriate for the target age group Includes some level of parent involvement Intentionally incorporates reaching underrepresented groups Adheres to National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) safety guidelines, if applicable Other Considerations:
Yes
No
Don't Know
* Adapted and expanded from Great Science for Girls curriculum selection criteria (http://www.greatscienceforgirls.org/)
Strengthening STEM Afterschool: List of STEM Curricula
Revised October 2014
NAME OF CURRICULUM st
21 Century Afterschool Project (CASP) AfterSchool KidzMath AfterSchool KidzScience After‐School Math PLUS After‐School Science PLUS Afterschool Universe Astrobiology, Mars and Earth, Sun as a Star, City Kids and City Critters: Activities for Urban Explorers Design a Discovery Mission Ecobot Challenge and Junk Drawer Robotics
Engineering Adventures Engineering Everywhere Exploring the Solar System Gardening: Let’s Get Growing
GEMS ( Great Explorations in Math and Science) Several units Math Explorer
DEVELOPER st
NJ 21 CCLC Developmental Studies Center Developmental Studies Center Educational Equity Center Educational Equity Center NASA American Museum of Natural History (NASA) Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
GRADES COST 4‐5 and 6‐ Free 8 K‐2 and $430/kit discounts available 3‐6 3‐5 $225/kit, 15 kits available 3‐8
$99/set of 5 guides
K‐8
$49.95/set of 2 guides
6‐8 K‐5
Free Free
K‐6
NASA 4H – Available through Cornell Cooperative Extension Museum of Science Boston Museum of Science, Boston NASA 4H – Available through 4H Mall
3‐7 4‐8
May no longer be for sale. Get from local library or purchase used. Free Free
3‐5
Free
3‐5; 6‐8
Free
3‐5 5‐6
The Lawrence Hall of Science Exploratorium – Available through Developmental Studies Center
PreK‐8
Free $23.25 for all 4 Gardening activity guides plus the Helper's Guide and the Exhibit Guide. Teacher Guides range from $12 ‐ $30 $400/kit Additional books available at $28/book
6‐8
NAME OF CURRICULUM
DEVELOPER
GRADES COST
Mixing in Math (variety of games, newsletters with activities and kits) PBS Learning Media – Various Curricula, Lesson Plans and Resources Playtime is Science
MiM (Mixing in Math)
K‐5
PBS
K‐12
Educational Equity Center – FHI360 4H – Available through Cornell Cooperative Extension NASA Twin Cities Public Television Techbridge
PreK ‐ 3
4H
Power of Wind and Wired for Wind
Ring World SciGirls Techbridge
The Youth Experiences In Science Project (YES) Wonderwise
4H
$8 ‐ $100 depending on product purchased Free
4‐8
$89.95 (with notebook and CD) Free
1‐4 2‐8
Free Free
6‐8; 9‐12
K‐3
Free with training/CD available for purchase $100+ $76‐$100/theme
2‐6
Free (DVDs available)
Taking Root: Strengthening STEM in Afterschool Action Planning for Capacity Building Agency:
STEM Capacity Building Action Planning Group Names:
What does STEM look like in your afterschool program? (e.g. curricula being used, staff who are implementing STEM activities, how often) What kind of training do staff at all levels receive to support STEM? How is STEM budgeted for in your afterschool program at your organization (training, curricula, materials)? What do line staff need to build their ability to lead STEM activities? What do supervisors need to build capacity of their staff? What does your organization need to build its capacity to offer STEM?
Partnership for After School Education – Strengthening STEM Capacity Building Action Planning (Revised October 2014)
Outline your STEM implementation plan Staff Names # Grade Which days? Time? Youth (M,T,W,Th,F) (e.g. 3:00‐ 4:00)
STEM Topic/ Theme/Curriculum
Action Steps: STEM Capacity Building Plan Steps By When? (Fill in Date)
Who?
Partnership for After School Education – Strengthening STEM Capacity Building Action Planning (Revised October 2014)