Monday, May 24, 2010

Directory News!

With Categories, Your Opportunities Are Easier Than Ever to Find!

We've launched a new 'Category' feature that makes it easier for parents and professionals to locate your opportunities in the National After School Science Directory. Now, you can classify your opportunities as:

* Camps
* Competitions
* Exhibits
* Fairs and Festivals
* Overnights
* Professional Development
* Tours

Opportunities that are categorized will be better-optimized for search, and thus, more quickly found by users.

AND don't forget to login soon to add your summer opportunities before it's too late!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Afterschool Universe Announcement

Become a certified trainer for NASA's Afterschool Universe program and bring the universe down to Earth for your colleagues and their students.


Afterschool Universe is a 12-session out-of-school-time astronomy curriculum for middle-school students. It explores astronomy concepts through engaging hands-on activities and takes participants on a journey through the universe beyond the solar system. The goal of the program is to introduce program leaders and students to astronomy and the universe we live in.


The program was developed in partnership with the DC Children & Youth Investment Trust Corp, and it is an approved resource for Great Science for Girls. General information is available at: http://universe.nasa.gov/au/. An independent review of the program is available on the Science After School Consumers Guide: http://www.sedl.org/cgi-bin/mysql/afterschool/science.cgi?resource=61


Applications are currently being soliciting from trainers in out-of-school-time networks to attend a train-the-trainer workshop in December 2010. You will attend a special, all-expenses-paid three-day training workshop at NASA Goddard (in Greenbelt, MD) that will prepare you to run training workshops in your own communities.

In order to participate, your network must commit to recruiting at least 10 middle school sites, offering the training, and ensuring that the sites implement the program. The commitment also includes participation in the project evaluation – we assure you that this program has already been rigorously evaluated and this train-the-trainer effort will also be studied for effectiveness. There is more information about the required commitment in the application: http://universe.nasa.gov/au/trainer_training.html

Monday, May 10, 2010

Because the Summer is Fast Approaching...

This week we are featuring the timely message heralded by the National Summer Learning Association: When the school doors close for the summer, too many children lack access to quality educational and developmental opportunities as well as basic needs like healthy meals and safe places to be with adult supervision.

NSLA strives to connect and equip out-of-school time providers, like schools and community organizations, to deliver high quality summer learning programs to all of America's youth. The NSLA mission is complementary to the mission of the Coalition, and it is especially important this time of year-- In just a few short weeks, schools will let out for summer, and children will have hundreds of hours of free time lavished upon them. This time lends an exceptional opportunity for kids to explore and discover freely in informal learning environments.

We are working to get the message out about the importance of summer learning opportunities and make them accessible to more of the nation's youth. As part of the Connect a Million Minds initiative, the Coalition maintains the National After School Science Directory to help kids and families identify high quality science learning out-of-school time.

Help us by updating your organization's listings: directory.scienceafterschool.org

Also, locate opportunities for afterschool (and summer) science in your area: http://afterschoolscience.org/directory/

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

2010 Conference on Science and Technology in Out-of-School Time

September 22-24, 2010 Los Angeles, California
Hosted by the Coalition for Science After School and Project Exploration
Presented Sponsor: Time Warner Cable

About the Conference:
This conference convenes a national cross-section of 400+ stakeholders involved in the growing movement for science and technology out-of-school. Sessions highlight key developments in the field – with a particular focus on access and equity issues affecting populations historically underrepresented in science - including: research-based best practices, professional development for program providers, program and curriculum development, evaluation, systemic approaches to aligning science education in – and out – of school time, and funding trends.

Who is the Conference for?
This conference targets national and local leaders involved with science education out-of-school: youth development and out-of-school program directors; executive directors and CEOs of informal science institutions; leaders of community-based organizations; representatives from K-12, community colleges and higher education; researchers and policymakers tracking regional and national trends in innovation, science and workforce development; foundation and corporate funders involved with youth development and science education reform.

Conference Agenda:
• Raise awareness about ways out-of-school time science and technology efforts positively impact students’ lives, enhance 21st-century skill-building, and expand the science and technology career workforce;
• Build capacity in the field by facilitating and strengthening the development of partnerships, networks and models that exemplify what works for engaging and retaining students to science;
• Outline an agenda for regional, state-wide and national efforts to support students’ involvement with science and technology.

For more information visit www.afterschoolscience.org or contact: Gabrielle Lyon at glyon@projectexploration.org or 773.834.7620.

Monday, May 03, 2010

Director, Center for Quality Science Learning Afterschool (Coordinator of Public Programs VI-VIII) Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California,

Director, Center for Quality Science Learning Afterschool (Coordinator of Public Programs VI-VIII) Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley


Salary Range: $76,800-98,900 annually


Duties and Responsibilities:

The Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) is establishing a new center, the Center for Quality Science in Learning Afterschool (QSLA), to build on the work of existing LHS centers, programs, and partners and to assume leadership of the Coalition for Science After School (CSAS). The founding director will have the opportunity to establish the agenda for the LHS work in afterschool—research, development of materials and programs for afterschool settings, professional development for the afterschool instructional workforce, and creation of practical approaches to use technology to support of science in afterschool settings. He or she will also be the Director of CSAS, a network of national organizations, experts, and committed individuals who are working to bring together the fields of science education, afterschool education, and youth development so that the mutual benefits, of the afterschool setting for achieving science education goals and of science education for achieving the youth development goals, are recognized, understood, and implemented. As a center leader at LHS, the Director will serve on the leadership team, play a senior role in promoting the excellence of the institution, and report to the LHS Director.

Qualifications:

• Masters in science or mathematics, science or mathematics education, youth development, or the equivalent required; Ph. D. desirable.

• A minimum of ten years of experience in science and/or mathematics education, in formal, informal, and/or afterschool settings; working with policymakers, diverse learners and stakeholders.

• Experience designing, implementing, leading, and managing complex projects; including building teams and raising funds;

• Knowledge of science education and afterschool trends and policies required; knowledge of UC system policies and practices desirable.

• Excellent written and oral communications skills, computer skills, service-oriented with a strong customer service background required; bilingual and/or experienced with second language learning issues desirable.

• Self-starter with ability to work independently with minimal supervision, to set priorities, take initiative, exercise authority, and execute tasks while maintaining confidentiality, exercising judgment.


Approximate Starting Date: September 1, 2010


Total Duration of Appointment: 1 year, renewable upon successful performance and the availability of funds.


Application Deadline: May 27, 2010


Please submit your CV and Cover Letter to Jami Rousseaux, jami_rousseaux@berkeley.edu, or by postal mail to her at Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-5200


THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER