As we step into a brand-new year, it’s time to revitalize our commitment to empowering afterschool programs across Mississippi! We’ve compiled a collection of valuable resources designed to support your program and inspire the young minds you serve. We’ve also highlighted 2024’s Engage Every Student Champions from across the US who leveraged resources like these to be recognized. If you believe your program is hitting the mark, apply for the 2025 Engage Every Student Recognition Program before Jan 31, 2025.
Apply to become an Engage Every Student Champion!
100K Youth Service Grant
Start the year strong with potential funding for your program! The Charles Lafitte Foundation offers grants of up to $100,000 to support programs addressing critical needs such as child abuse prevention, literacy, after-school enrichment, and more.
Mississippi – Scientific Research “SR” 1
Our 2024 Engage Every Student Champion, Scientific Research “SR” 1, exemplifies how you can use grant funding to support and enhance afterschool programs. Their expansion, using ARP ESSER funding, focuses on a broad range of critical needs, including literacy, math, science, technology, engineering, arts, and life skills for K-12 students. This aligns with the grant’s purpose to support after-school enrichment and address critical community needs.
Techbridge Girls: Role Models Matter
Exposure to role models involved in STEM fields has the power to increase girls’ interest and likelihood to pursue a STEM career in the future. To support role models and increase their effectiveness, Techbridge Girls developed the Role Models Matterâ„¢ training program. This training has been developed with STEM champions in mind.
Complete the training at your own pace and on-demand. When participants complete the training, they will receive a Credly badge and access to 5 dynamic, hands-on workshops that can be facilitated with girls in classrooms and out-of-school time spaces.
South Carolina – Boys and Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area
The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area, a 2024 Engage Every Student Champion, offers a program that focuses on STEM and youth development. They strive to inspire and support all youth, including young girls, increasing program capacity and engaging students in STEM activities. They are a great example of how to effectively nurture the next generation of STEM leaders, aligning with the Techbridge Girls initiative.
Learning With AI, Learning About AI
Prepare your students for the future by integrating AI into your afterschool program. This resource from ISTE offers 8 innovative ways to introduce AI concepts and empower students to become tech-savvy learners and creators.
Ohio – Ohio Urban Renaissance
The Ohio Urban Renaissance program, a 2024 Engage Every Student Champion, engages high school students in project-based learning and career exploration, including technology fields. Their focus on experiential learning provides an ideal environment for integrating AI concepts, making them a best-fit example for utilizing AI educational resources.
Test-Drive a STEM Career with Fun Science Experiments
Spark curiosity and ignite a passion for STEM with hands-on experiments! This resource from Science Buddies pairs 10 popular STEM careers with exciting activities that allow students to “test-drive” different fields and explore their interests.
Connecticut – EdAdvance BASES
The 2024 Engage Every Student Champion, EdAdvance BASES, is a great example of a program that integrates daily science experiments and hands-on experiences to promote STEM education. Their approach aligns perfectly with providing students opportunities to “test-drive” STEM careers through engaging activities.
Learn Fresh with NBA Math Hoops
Combine the thrill of basketball with the power of STEM learning! Learn Fresh’s NBA Math Hoops module, available on the Mizzen Education platform, leverages students’ passion for sports to inspire math and social-emotional skills development.
New Hampshire – YMCA of Greater Nashua
The YMCA’s focus on preventing summer learning loss in math while fostering physical growth aligns with the resource’s approach of combining sports and education. Their programs exemplify how sports can be integrated with STEM learning effectively.
AI in the Classroom: Benefits, Challenges, and Best Practices
Navigate the exciting world of AI in education with this comprehensive guide. Explore the benefits, address the challenges, and learn best practices for successfully integrating AI into your classroom.
New Jersey – iLearn Schools, Inc.
iLearn Schools, a 2024 Engage Every Student Champion, engages students in programs designed to nurture high ability and creativity, likely incorporating advanced technologies. Their efforts to address unfinished learning and promote achievement make them a suitable example of integrating AI into education.
How to Integrate Technology
Successful technology integration is more than just getting the tools into the classroom; this resource provides some ideas on how to engage students and enliven lessons with those tools.
Nebraska – Lincoln Community Learning Centers
The Lincoln Community Learning Centers design programs based on students’ needs and interests, potentially incorporating technology integration strategies. They serve as an example of how technology can be effectively woven into afterschool programming to enhance learning.
Bing Videos – AI for Youth
Introduce young minds to the fascinating world of artificial intelligence with engaging videos from Bing. These videos explore what AI is and how it can impact their lives, sparking curiosity and inspiring future innovators.
Idaho – Community Youth in Action
Community Youth in Action’s inclusion of STEM activities and focus on middle and high school students make them an ideal candidate for utilizing AI educational videos. Their programs aim to stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving skills, aligning with introducing AI concepts.
‘Physical Computing’ Connects Computer Science With Hands-On Learning
Bring computer science to life with physical computing! This hands-on approach combines computational thinking with tangible activities, allowing students to engage with technology in a whole new way.
Oregon – Todos Juntos
Todos Juntos offers STEM activities within their enriching afterschool clubs. Their hands-on approach to STEM education aligns perfectly with the concept of physical computing, making technology interactive and engaging for students.
Brilliant – Spark Curiosity in Older Youth
Looking for ways to engage teens in STEM? Brilliant offers visual, interactive lessons designed for ages 13 and up. These captivating lessons make complex concepts feel intuitive, fostering a love of learning and encouraging deeper exploration.
Maryland – Arts for Learning Maryland
Arts for Learning Maryland’s focus on arts integration to teach math and literacy content provides an innovative approach to making complex subjects accessible. By engaging older youth through creative methods, they exemplify the spirit of sparking curiosity in teens.
Join the Teen Science Cafe Network
Connect with a vibrant community of STEM enthusiasts through the Teen Science Cafe Network. This free network supports programs that host Teen Science Cafes – out-of-school events where teens lead discussions and activities on exciting science topics.
South Dakota – Black Hills Special Services Cooperative
Their programs foster positive behavioral support and social skills, providing a platform where teens could lead discussions and activities. Their commitment to engaging both students and families demonstrates their capacity to incorporate teen-led initiatives like the Teen Science Cafe Network.
Transform STEM Engagement By Connecting Lessons To Sports
Get your students moving and learning with STEM Sports! Download their free digital playbook for tips, sample lessons, and sports-based STEM activities that will get your students excited about science and technology.
Georgia – Camp Twin Lakes
Camp Twin Lakes incorporates numerous physical activities like mountain biking and team-building programs. By engaging students in outdoor and recreational activities, they exemplify how sports can be connected to STEM learning, aligning with the resource’s goal.