Established in 2004, the Coalition
for Science After School championed the mission to make science, technology,
engineering and math integral components of afterschool and summer programming
by bringing together the experience and commitment of thousands of individuals
and organizations across the country. By bridging the afterschool and youth development community
with science-rich institutions such as museums, science centers, universities
and corporations, the Coalition has worked to increase the quality and quantity
of science engagement in afterschool and summer learning settings.
Over the last several
years, the field has experienced tremendous growth of programming and attention
to science-related out-of-school time opportunities on a national level, due to
both the work of advocates like CSAS and other social and political factors.
The decision to sunset reflects a consensus among CSAS Steering Committee
members that given the robust and exciting status of the science OST field,
CSAS leadership is no longer needed.
– Judy Nee, Chair of
CSAS Steering Committee
The
leadership of CSAS feel that the field has moved into a new phase, one that
presents new challenges and opportunities. Though science in OST has grown in
prevalence, much work remains to be done to ensure the high quality of
opportunities and provide equitable access to youth nationwide. We're
confident that this work has taken root, but are concerned about the need to
ensure that communities with a high concentration of poverty are not left out
of the integration of science and after-school. It is our belief that much of
the work necessary to address these challenges will take place at the local
level. We strongly believe that the organizations and leaders who have emerged
over the past decade in the science OST community are fully capable of addressing
these challenges and continuing to propel the field forward.
In
addition to fulfilling current commitments to our partners and collaborators, a
major component of CSAS work in the next year will be to identify and train new
partners who will continue to advance the work that CSAS has historically undertaken,
including maintaining and growing a national directory of science-related OST
opportunities. This project has been and will continue to be generously
supported by our partner, Time Warner Cable, and their Connect a Million Minds initiative.
Bernadette Chi will lead CSAS through the
sunset work in the year ahead. Bernadette brings extensive experience in
science program development and evaluation of OST programs and science
education. She holds a PhD from UC Berkeley and has been recognized as a leader
in the out-of-school science research community. Bernadette will take over for
Carol Tang, who recently transitioned to a role as program officer at the S.D.
Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
CONTACT:
Bernadette Chi at coalitionsas@gmail.com
