Diet Coke and Mentos

The guys at Eepybird, who brought you video of Diet Coke/Mentos geysers which swept the Internet, are at it again. Check out this preview of their new video, coming on 10/30. More important to this blog is the competition that they are promoting. Sponsored by Coca-Cola, they are challenging viewers to "make a video of everyday objects doing extraordinary things." Sounds like a great opportunity, especially for middle or high school groups that are involved in technology. According to this article in the Toronto Star, Steve Spangler (of Steve Spangler Science) started this craze. For a more scientific approach to why Diet Coke + Mentos = Geyser, check Spangler's site. Also, Mythbusters did an episode on the topic. Anyone have other science sites on this?

After-school leads to Entrepreneurship

Here is an interesting story about an after-school program for high school students in Colorado. The program teaches students about alternative energy, particularly the development of biodiesel. One graduate turned his knowledge into a startup venture in the Phillipines, making fuel from coconuts. (Thanks to Susan Brenna for the link!)

If You Need Science Activities Now...

As it is October, there are many after-school programs that may be interested in starting a STEM activity, but need something they can start right now. While high quality
professional development is the best way to go, sometimes you just have to find something to do right away. I recommend that you start at the Science Afterschool Toolkit for an overview of what a program should look like. Once you are ready to pick out some activities, here are some places to look:

• Consumers Guide to Afterschool Science Resources - I've mentioned this before.
• Exploratopia - The Exploratorium* has a new collection of hands-on science activities. (The Coalition's own Thomas Carlson came up with the name - see the credits in the back!)
• Afterschoolmath.org - If you need math activities right away, this site includes video demonstrations and all of the details you will need.

These are just a few of many "instant gratification" sites for after-school group leaders. Good luck!

*CSAS is partially funded by a grant through the Exploratorium.

Good Resource on Afterschool

If you are looking for general information about the state of after-school, contact information in federal and state organizations, etc., here is a good resource provided by the National Child Care Information Center at the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Midsouth Region Gets STEM Training

After-school leaders from the Southwest U.S. will get a healthy dose of the connection between STEM learning and youth development at next week's Midsouth Region Fall Afterschool Training Roundup, presented by the National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning at SEDL.

At the opening plenary session, attendees will hear from Cathy Jordan of SEDL, who directs the Partnership - supporting development of high quality programs that balance academic enrichment and youth development, and Jane Quinn of the Children's Aid Society. Jane is a Coalition board member and an overall guru of youth development. Check out Jane's thoughts on community schools, science in after-school, and in Youth Today.

Among the relevant workshops, Patricia McClure from SERVE will present the after-school science toolkit, which contains resources to help after-school leaders build fun and educational enrichment activities.

At the closing session, attendees get to hear from Gretchen Walker of the American Museum of Natural History and author of the NASA and Afterschool report, and me. We plan to provide an engaging experience that shows how learning science in after-school can be fun as well as educational.