Descriptions for conference sessions are now available!

We're getting really excited for the 2010 National Conference on Science and Technology in Out-of-School Time, coming up in just ten days! We're co-hosting the conference with Project Exploration and in partnership with Connect a Million Minds, and organizations from across the country will be coming to learn about and share their experiences in afterschool STEM education. Last week the session descriptions went LIVE on the conference website. We'll be having a total of 25 breakout sessions, plus two plenary sessions and a keynote address from Dr. Pedro Noguera, a leading urban sociologist interested in how social and economic conditions affect education.

We'll also have lots of opportunities for networking with funders, researchers, and providers, and a fun program showcase where you can learn more about programs from across the country. 

You can visit the official conference website here to learn more details about our speakers, presenters, and sessions. For now, I wanted to share a snapshot of the breakout sessions. Here are some of the titles and presenters:

How National Youth Organizations are Approaching STEM

Veronica Escobedo, Girls Inc.; Pam Garza, 4-H; Mary Grybeck, Boys and Girls Clubs of America; Sharon Junge, 4-H; Stephanie Lingwood, Girl Scouts of Western Washington; Kate Pickle, Girl Scouts of America

Pathways into Science – A Longitudinal Perspective

Robert Tai, University of Virginia

The Coalition for Science After School: Making High Quality Science as Integral to the
After School Experience as Snack and Basketball

Mike Radke, The Coalition for Science After School

Digital Youth Network: Using 21st Century Tools to Enhance Impact of Out-of-School Learning Experiences

Nichole Pinkard, DePaul University/Digital Youth Network

Supporting Exploration of Identity in Youth Programs

Diane Miller, St. Louis Science Center; Holly Hughes, Sam Noble Museum

Building Capacity for Science and Youth Development in OST: Findings from a Ten Year Alumni Study

Gabrielle Lyon, Project Exploration; Bernadette Chi, Lawrence Hall of Science

The Common Core Initiative and National Standards for STEM

Jason Zimba, Bennington College

What Research and Practice Say About the Impacts of Out of School Time STEM Experiences

Lynn Dierking, Oregon State University; Dale McCreedy, The Franklin Institute Science Museum

After School Staff Development – 4-H Tools of the Trade II…Inspiring Young Minds to be SET Ready for Life!

Sharon Junge and Sue Mangalallan, 4-H

Inquiry and Curriculum Through an Equity Lens

Maryann Stimmer, Educational Equity Center at AED; Heather Gibbons, St. Louis Science Center

There are still a few spots available if you would like to register online, or if you're in the LA area, you can register at the door. The conference will take place from September 23rd-24th, with a special pre-conference symposium on the 22nd, in Universal City (LA), CA. I'll see you there!