Youth Voice Week, New Grant Opportunity, & Strawberry DNA Kits in your Moonshot Monday News!

Subject: Youth Voice Week, New Grant Opportunity, & Strawberry DNA Kits in your Moonshot Monday News!

Moonshot Monday is 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.

March 24 - 28 is Youth Voice Week!

This week, we're amplifying young people's voices as they share the issues that matter most to them. Join the Afterschool Alliance and participate by:

Post on Social Media: Share your organization's youth voice messages on social media! Use the hashtag #YouthVoiceWeek to highlight young people's perspectives. You can post new content or share existing videos, essays, or art from your program.
Contact Congress: Take a moment to contact Congress and urge your elected officials to support the afterschool and summer programs our young people count on.

Digital Skills, Literacy, and Device Grant Opportunity

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is excited to announce the application period is officially open for the new Digital Skills, Literacy, and Device (DSLD) Grant Program. This is a three-year program for eligible applicants to implement new, expand, and/or upscale existing programs related to the advancement of Digital Skills and Literacy, Digital Navigation, Digital Device Refurbishment, and/or Device Distribution.

Learn more and apply by April 21, 2025.

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.

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.

To receive your free Strawberry DNA extraction kit, please fill out the following request form. Preview the activity and kit contents for up to 32 individuals here.

STEM Next Opportunity Fund will be hosting a Celebrate DNA Day Webinar prior to DNA Day in April. They ask recipients of the Strawberry DNA extraction kits to register to attend or asynchronously view that event to get more resources through the Future is Bright Campaign.

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Subject: Youth Voice Week, New Grant Opportunity, & Strawberry DNA Kits in your Moonshot Monday News!