Here is a list of our “Top 7 Recommended Sessions for Digital Learning Champions.” Once you’ve read through the list, be sure to register for NAA19.
1 General Session with Jaime Casap, Education Evangelist, Google
Jaime Casap is the Education Evangelist at Google. Jaime evangelizes the power and potential of technology and the web as enabling and supporting tools in pursuit of inquiry-based learning models. Jaime collaborates with school systems, educational organizations, and leaders around the world focused on building innovation into our education policies and practices. He speaks on education, technology, innovation, and generation z, at events around the world.
In addition to his role at Google, Jaime is also the author of “Our First Talk About Poverty,” as a way to talk to children about poverty. He serves on a number of boards for organizations focused on education and equity. Jaime teaches a 10th grade communication class at the Phoenix Coding Academy, a computer science public school he helped launch in Phoenix, and guest lectures at Arizona State University.
2 Making Digital Learning a Reality in Your Program
How do your students use technology? Rather than providing "point and click" activities, you can engage students in meaningful digital learning experiences. The Afterschool Tech Toolkit is a free resource that will help you get started!
- Jennifer Brady, Development Without Limits
3 STEMing Up Your Professional Development
Take a deep dive into the most effective approaches for STEM professional development. Learn how to better align afterschool with school day STEM learning opportunities. Leaders from Every Hour Counts will share their strategies and lessons learned for strengthening, scaling, and sustaining STEM programming.
- Jessica Donner, Every Hour Counts
- Julia Kilgore, Boston After School & Beyond
4 Creating Culturally Responsive STEM Programs
This interactive session will engage participants to consider the important question: How do we create culturally responsive STEM programming? Participants will learn about Techbridge Girls’ Essential Elements for Equitable STEM Programs and review key findings from our 5-year NSF-funded scale up program. Take a deep dive into strategies for creating culturally responsive programs by engaging in a hands-on challenge and reflection activity. Participants will leave this session with a set of resources and strategies that they can immediately implement to enhance equity and cultural responsiveness in their STEM programs.
- Jennifer Rivers, Techbridge Girls
5 Nurturing STEM Identities and Making Career Connections
How do you get youth to talk about STEM careers and get help them further develop their STEM identity? Join us to experience an engaging and versatile STEM activity. Learn strategies and get lesson plans and resources developed by the ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM) project to help you bring STEM to your program.
- Perrin Chick, Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance
- Lynn Farrin, Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance
6 National Youth Science Day: Computer Science and More
Computer science (CS) is a 21st century skill that empowers young people to be creators, not just consumers, of technology. Engaging in CS empowers them for their future. Learn about Code Your World, the 2018 4-H National Youth Science Day Challenge and how you can use these free resources to engage youth in CS through hands-on activities.
- Saundra Frerichs, Nebraska 4-H Youth Development
7 Music, Power, Action! Free Music & Movies to Engage
What's the connection between Kendrick Lamar and Hailee Steinfeld? Twenty-One Pilots and Taylor Swift? X-Men and Black Panther? Come to this tool-filled session to learn how to use over 20 different legal and free media tools, including today's music and movies, in your cutting-edge work with young people.
- Eric Rowles, Leading To Change
Please join us at NAA19 for these sessions and others that support digital learning such as improving digital equity and access, linking school and afterschool STEM learning and engaging stakeholders around a common vision.
With the right professional development, like that offered at this Convention, afterschool professionals like you can help students actively navigate technology to create deep learning experiences and develop digital citizenship and responsibility in a safe, facilitated setting.
