Earn STEM Micro-Credentials and Free Curriculum Opportunities in Your Moonshot Monday News!

Subject: Earn STEM Micro-Credentials and Free Curriculum Opportunities in Your Moonshot Monday News!

Moonshot Monday is a VPOST twice-monthly Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) newsletter, supported in part by STEM Next’s Million Girls Moonshot initiative. STEM Next Opportunity Fund gives afterschool and summer programs across the nation the proven tools they need to create rich, supportive STEM experiences—so all youth, especially girls, can explore, create, and envision themselves as future innovators.

Come learn about a new opportunity to earn STEM Micro-Credentials available in partnership with the National Afterschool Association (NAA). This digital badging is one way you can boost a resume or showcase your skills. Research indicates that close to 77% of people who receive a credential or professional certificate remained in their field 10 years later.

During this lunch & learn, the ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Education in STEM) team will dive into discussions and talk about incentives you can offer your staff. They will share the submission rubrics so everyone can be successful.

DATE: April 22, 12:00 - 12:30 PM

REGISTER HERE.

STEM Learning Journeys Powered by STEM Next

In partnership with Verizon, STEM Next has curated bundles of lessons and activities from Verizon Innovative Learning HQ and created the following STEM Learning Journeys to help you implement these exciting STEM lessons and activities in your afterschool programs.

START YOUR STEM LEARNING JOURNEY

Each learning journey is packed with activities, lessons, and facilitation guides aimed at making STEM education accessible, engaging, and impactful. Join us on the journey to engage students with hands-on interactive STEM learning!

Join NGCP and Smart Girls HQ for Brite's Virtual STEM Role Model Camp in Summer 2025!

Have a Brite summer! Brite's Virtual STEM Role Model Camp is an online, interdisciplinary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program for youth entering 7th- 10th grade. The camp will meet online for 5 days, 3 hours daily, in July 2025. Organized by NGCP and Smart Girls HQ, Brite will spark curiosity, foster creativity, all while having fun doing STEM projects and meeting STEM professionals.

This summer's theme is Explore STEAM: Creativity and Curiosity. Youth will meet role models from cutting-edge STEM fields, and do hands-on projects led by experienced virtual camp counselors. Each participant will receive a hands-on activity kit from Smart Girls HQ!

Summer session Dates:

Session 1: Monday, July 14th through Friday, July 18th, 2025 from:

9 AM-12 PM PT / 12 – 3 PM ET

Session 2: Monday, July 21st through Friday, July 25th from:

9 AM -12 PM PT / 12 – 3 PM ET

Costs: $295.00 (includes Smart Girls Kit)

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

The National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST) is conducting a survey that is aimed at supporting the OST STEM workforce. The goal of the study is to inform program leaders and educators how to best obtain, prepare, and support staff to deliver high-quality STEM activities in out-of-school programs.

Any questions should be directed to Georgia Hall, of Wellesley College, at 781-283-3499 or ghall@wellesley.edu.

Take the survey here.

Clover Model for Youth Development (FREE training and curriculum for Middle School!)

Clover for Youth is a 6-session curriculum designed to help middle school students understand and advocate for their own social-emotional needs and gain skills in navigating social situations. The curriculum uses the research-backed Clover Model of Youth Development to support youth in building an understanding of their own social-emotional needs as well as the needs of others. Each session includes multiple activities that get youth moving, talking, and reflecting on key concepts.

Clover for Youth is looking for programs working with middle school-aged youth who will be meeting with the same group of students over a period of days/weeks during the summer of 2025. Participating programs will need to have time in their schedule to run six 90-minute sessions and would need to have at least one committed staff member who is able to attend the training, review the materials, and facilitate the sessions.

Fill out the application form here

Subscribe

Subject: Earn STEM Micro-Credentials and Free Curriculum Opportunities in Your Moonshot Monday News!