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partnerships

Create Partnerships

Developing a state-wide shared vision that supports the development of local partnerships.

Policy & Advocacy

Advocating for policies and sustainable funding streams that enhance the effectiveness of after-school programs.

Quality & Practices

Providing access to resources, research and links to valuable web-sites and professional development opportunities

What's New

  • Afterschool Fun: The Blue Dragons Mix Tape

    posted on April 27th, 2012

    Check out MASPs April Newsletter:Afterschool Fun: The Blue Dragons Mix Tape

    Included in this issue:

    • Program Spotlight on YouthQuest in Flint, MI
    • Summer Learning Loss Educational Video
    • Advocacy Updates and Action
    • Updates on Expanded Learning and Afterschool Opportunities
    • MetLife Foundation Innovator Award
    • Upcoming Events

  • Michigan AfterSchool Association Collaborative Summer Summit

    posted on April 23rd, 2012
    This year's Summer Summit features keynote speaker Mike Roskamp's message on, "Great Expectations! Greater Success!" Mike Roskamp is a Grand Valley State University Assistant Professor in the Department of Movement Science.

  • Mom??? What do we have to eat? I’m hungry!!!

    posted on April 17th, 2012
    School is about to end in the next couple of months, and many children will go without at least one nutritious meal a day during the summer time. Only one in seven of low-income students who depended on the School Lunch Program during the school year had access to summer meals in 2010.

  • Goofing around and getting paid for it

    posted on March 30th, 2012
    “Goofing around and getting paid for it” is the way a brother-in-law once described my job. I prefer to think about it as showing others how children can goof around and learn at the same time.

  • 4-H is Engaging Youth in Robotics

    posted on March 29th, 2012
    The robotics experiential learning is building youths skills in the areas of science, engineering, technology and math. Furthermore; youth are being inspired and developing an early interest in engineering and technology.

  • Getting teens ready for the creative culture of tomorrow

    posted on March 27th, 2012
    The West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology (WMCAT) provides after school programming to urban teens in arts and technology that incorporates these new skills and provides opportunities through
    creative thinking.

  • After-School and STEM*

    posted on March 26th, 2012

    In 2009 a survey by MASP disclosed that only half of Michigan after-school programs responding to the survey regularly include math and science activities in their program, and somewhat fewer include technology skill development (26%) and engineering (16%). When asked what support they needed to increase the quantity and/or quality of STEM activities, about half asked for professional development and knowledge of STEM materials and curriculum.

    In response, MASP applied for and received a Noyce Foundation grant to build a coordinated informal STEM SySTEM in Michigan. This SySTEM, Project LIFTOFF, intends to increase awareness and facilitate capacity building of high quality, innovative STEM programs in after-school settings. A large part of Project LIFTOFF involves creating and piloting STEM professional development for after-school program staff. Pilot training will take place in Saginaw, Grand Rapids, and Detroit during 2012-13. MASP hopes to leverage this grant to obtain additional funding for professional development in every area of the state.

    Project LIFTOFF professional development programs will include hands on activities that will interest students in STEM, using inexpensive and culturally familiar materials commonly found around the home and in the classroom. Activities will be drawn from a wide variety of sources, and participating after-school programs will receive a considerable amount of resource materials. After-school sites in the three pilot communities that wish to be involved in the professional development can contact Marta Larson , MASP STEM Consultant.

    *STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics