Transformative Practices

Resources

Special Opportunities

Project Brainy

Project Brainy is a six-session neuroscience-based curriculum designed for out of school time (OST) programs. The curriculum enables middle-school students to build social-emotional skills, engage in interactive STEM learning and increase literacy. Summer and fall 2024 OST programs are invited to apply to participate in a research project to study the implementation of the curriculum. Selected programs will receive training and ongoing support on the curriculum and a $1,500 participation stipend.

Learn more and apply here by May 17th to engage in summer programming!

Teen Science Cafe Fellows- 2024-2025 Information Session

May 23rd 4:30-5:30pm

The Teen Science Cafe (TSC) Fellows initiative is a ten-month training program designed to help informal educators implement Teen Science Cafes in their community. Teen Science Cafe Fellows receive one-on-one support from TSC Guides to launch a cafe program and host three cafe events during the year. Fellows receive a $2,500 stipend to support their work!

Register Here to attend an informational webinar to learn more!

Girl Scouts New STEM Playbook!

The world of STEM is filled with endless opportunities to make a difference. From exploring computer coding and space exploration to building robots and solutions to problems such as climate change, girls are using STEM as a tool to change our world.

And you can help them make it all possible! Girl Scouts’ new STEM Playbook is designed for anyone looking to encourage a love of STEM in girls of all ages. Whether you’re involved with Girl Scouts or simply a supportive adult, the new STEM Playbook offers ideas, guidance, and access to resources and tools to grow girls' interest and skills in the field. Download the new STEM Playbook and discover new ideas to help girls build the future with STEM. Download Girl Scouts’ New STEM Playbook Here

Activities for May 2024

Activity (engineering): How Does a Wind Meter Work? | Science Project (sciencebuddies.org) On a windy day it is hard to keep your hat on! The power of the wind can even be strong enough to power large wind turbines to make electricity! In this experiment, find out how you can make your own instrument to measure the speed and power of the wind. How does it work?

Activity (engineering): Tallest Paper Tower Challenge | Science Project (sciencebuddies.org) In this engineering challenge, you will use limited materials to build a paper tower as tall as possible, but there's a twist! Your tower must also support a heavy weight at the top without collapsing. Looking for inspiration? You can see how other students have tackled this and other annual Science Buddies Engineering Challenges.

Activity (engineering): How to Build a Toilet Paper Roll Balloon Car - Left Brain Craft Brain This project is a perfect opportunity to learn about simple machines: the building blocks of all things that move. The activity uses easy to find materials and can be done in class and easily repeated at home.

Activity(engineering): Turn Milk into Plastic | STEM Activity (sciencebuddies.org) Until about 1945, milk was commonly used to make many different plastic ornaments, including buttons, decorative buckles, beads and other jewelry, and many other items. Milk plastic (usually called casein plastic) was even used to make jewelry for Queen Mary of England! In this activity students will make their own casein plastic out of hot milk and vinegar.

Activity (math): Devising an Algorithm for Solving Rubik's Cube | Science Project (sciencebuddies.org) This activity shows youth three sets of move sequences that accomplish specific rearrangements of the cube. Is there a way to solve the cube using only these three move sequences?

Activity (Computer science): Can Humans Recognize ChatGPT's AI-Generated Text? | Science Project (sciencebuddies.org) AI (artificial intelligence)-generated text is a hot topic for many reasons. Computers can now generate convincing paragraphs or even pages of text that look like they were written by a human. How do you know if a news article you are reading was written by a human or an AI? How does a teacher know if a student's essay was written by an AI? How do you know this text was not written by an AI? In this science project, you will conduct an experiment to see if volunteers can correctly identify whether different passages of text were written by a human or AI.

Transformative Practices for May 2024

Equity and Inclusion

Access to STEM Framework: To improve the overall quality of out-of-school STEM programs, we need to address how program providers design and implement programming to increase access in STEM for youth who have been underrepresented in the STEM fields. Partnering with the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) and national experts, we have developed an Access to STEM Framework — a guide for supporting program providers in this transformation. Download the Framework.
A Summary of Effective Gender Equitable Teaching Practices in Informal STEM Education Spaces: This article summarizes research on gender equitable practices for middle school girls in the last decade and addresses the disconnect between research and practice. The article focuses on ways to connect STEM experiences to girls’ lives, emphasizing the ways that STEM is collaborative and community-oriented, and providing opportunities for girls to interact with and learn from diverse role models.
Beyond Equity as Inclusion: Framework of “Rightful Presence” for Guiding Justice-Oriented Studies in Teaching and Learning: This article presents a framework to guide the study of teaching and learning in justice-oriented ways. This framework highlights the limitations of equity as inclusion, which does not adequately address the ways in which systemic injustices manifest in local classroom practice. Three tenets for guiding the use of this framework in teaching and learning are offered.

Engineering Mindset

Engineering Mindset Overview: An engineering mindset refers to the attitudes and thinking skills associated with engineering — using a systematic engineering design process, considering real-world problems, applying math and science, and working in teams. The Moonshot focuses on 10 engineering practices. An overview of each practice follows and subsequent briefs will explore each one individually.
New Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA (GSAWN) Resources: The Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA program, part of NASA's Universe of Learning, provides resources and experiences that enable girls, families, and lifelong learners to explore fundamental questions in astrophysics and discover the universe for themselves. New resources include the GSAWN Program Cookbook, stages of a star's Life Flipbook, a Stellar Life Cycle Bookmark and Bracelet, and Stellar Evolution Scavenger Hunt.

Role Models, Mentors, and Families

Role models, mentors, and family engagement in a young person’s STEM education leads to increased interest, greater self-confidence, and ultimately a stronger STEM identity. Developing a science-related identity increases the likelihood that students will work toward developing science literacy, or even pursue a career in a science or STEM-related field.

Article: How One Woman's Story Led to the Creation of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (yahoo.com) The month of May was selected for two reasons: First, to commemorate the arrival of the first known Japanese immigrant to the U.S. on May 7, 1843; secondly, to honor the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 — the building of which up to 20,000 Chinese workers participated in. But who’s idea was it to celebrate? And Why? Learn about a remarkable woman who advocated for this celebration.

Blog: Inspiring AAPI Scientists and Engineers - Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month | Science Buddies Blog This list contains only a few of the many inspiring AANHPI scientists and engineers who have made (and are making) important contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) For each scientist, we have included a short biographical note, a link to a hands-on science project or activity related to the scientist's area of study, a link to a relevant science career profile, and a link to a biography to help students learn more about individual scientists. Educators can use this career worksheet to guide student exploration and reflection about STEM careers.
Role models: Influential Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in STEM | Washington D.C. & Maryland Area | Capitol Technology University (captechu.edu) May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and the Capitology blog is celebrating by highlighting some of the most influential modern day AAPI members involved in STEM. NASA has recognized a myriad of such members, all of whom deserve to be recognized and honored for their achievements. Links to resources are in the role model listing.
Videos: Asian American scientists in STEM classrooms: increasing inclusion and visibility | NOVA | PBS Learn about Asian and Pacific Islander American scientists who have helped change the world, and the call for greater inclusion of their work in curriculum and textbooks. Videos, interviews, and links to other resources are included.
Role model visits (in person or virtual) SWE - The World's Largest Advocate for Women in Engineering The Society of Women Engineers has chapters across the country. Each chapter is committed to supporting learners and will find the right role model and facilitate in person or virtual visits. SWE also provides a variety of youth programs that range from in person activities to scholarships.
Videos: Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month: Stories, Facts, History &… | PBS Growing up Asian: This series of short, highly engaging videos tells personal stories of Asians in America. What was it like to grow up with this identity?
Blog: Inspiring AAPI Scientists and Engineers - Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month | Science Buddies Blog This list contains only a few of the many inspiring AANHPI scientists and engineers who have made (and are making) important contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) For each scientist, we have included a short biographical note, a link to a hands-on science project or activity related to the scientist's area of study, a link to a relevant science career profile, and a link to a biography to help students learn more about individual scientists. Educators can use this career worksheet to guide student exploration and reflection about STEM careers.
Article: 8 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders whose innovations have changed your life (really!) | (ted.com) Stories of life changing inventions like the N95 respirator mask, HIV medications, and USB technologies that are all contributions of the AAPI community of STEM specialists.
Room to Read STEAM Powered Careers Collection: This collection features 10 STEM-themed books and lesson plans for youth grades 1-3, all available for free download in English and Spanish. The books feature diverse characters (and their animal friends) exploring various STEM fields, such as data science, marine biology, and nanotechnology, written by diverse scientists. Each book also features a real-life scientist and includes information about careers in the field of focus.
Incorporating the Stories of Women, People of Color, and LGBTQ+ Scientists Into the Physics Classroom: One way to increase accessibility to and participation in STEM is to point out the contributions of women and people of color throughout history. By focusing on diverse role models—which has been shown to reduce stereotype threat for students of these groups as well as implicit bias for all students—while also calling attention to ongoing diversity issues in STEM today, teachers can challenge conventional and outdated assumptions about a STEM stereotype.

Continuous STEM Learning Pathways

Research tells us that continuous engagement and exposure rather than limited one-time opportunities are needed to nurture the interest and motivation necessary for children to pursue STEM pathways long term. The Moonshot aims to understand and support transitions and handoffs that remove barriers for youth by connecting STEM learning across ages and settings, ensuring youth interest and motivation persists.

Possible Futures — Career Exploration Curriculum: Open source curriculum that complements and enriches both school and afterschool settings 1) expanding career awareness through authentic experiential learning opportunities; 2) encouraging students to explore their diverse interests, talents, and options; 3) enlivening STEM subjects by bringing in real-world and career contexts; 4) empowering students to develop vital employability skills; and 5) engaging students in making informed choices.

Below are some adaptations of the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum specifically for afterschool and summer programs:

Career Literacy: Three units that combine the units Skills for Success and Lenses on the Future (from Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum). The units also provide a model for aligning Possible Futures with state Career Literacy Standards and the development of required individual student postsecondary plans.
Growing Myself: Twelve lessons that combine the Self unit from Lenses on the Future and the Growth Mindset unit from Skills for Success from the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum.

Archive Resources