Afterschool Policy Pulse
2025-10-10 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-11-14 10:00 - 10:30 (America/Denver)
Welcome to the Policy Pulse! Every second Friday at noon ET, Afterschool Alliance Senior VP of Policy, Erik Peterson, will recap the latest policy developments, what we know (or don’t know!) about how they may impact afterschool and summer programs, and what may be coming up next. Submit your questions in advance so we know what’s top of mind for you: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScatCxIspYzqu7wSl2T-OWV2iipwr4CHsZF8Ttyn2UDbD_4jQ/viewform

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Curiosity to Career: Finding Your Place in the Age of AI with Akkodis
2025-10-14 16:00 - 17:00
Accelerate your tech career with hands-on workshops, networking, and interview prep. For college students & early career professionals.

Join Girls Who Code’s partner, Akkodis, as they lead this insightful panel on AI tools and skills!

If you are aged 18 – 26 and interested in elevating your early career tech journey, you are eligible to participate in Upskill Series! We are excited to offer this opportunity to our early career community.
This panel will help participants gain insights into AI tools and skills relevant to today’s workforce. Participants will leave with concrete skills, resources, and actionable insights.
If you have any questions regarding this event, please check out some of our FAQs below or here for additional questions.

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Explora: Makey Makeys Workshop (In-Person)
2025-10-16 15:30 - 17:30 | Explora, 1701 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104, United States
Join us for coding activities with Makey Makeys, an easy-to-use microcontroller. Learn a variety of activities adapted to young learners. You’ll immediately be able to apply these ideas with your students!
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Enspire Power Hour
2025-10-22 08:00 - 17:00
On October 22, YEI will have Doan Winkel kick off Enspire with a special virtual session, “Enspire Power Hour” from 4-5:30pm.
He will speak about 3 themes relating to AI: Students’ relationship with AI, Educators’ relationship with AI, and Entrepreneurship in the Classroom with AI.
Doan is the Founding Director of the Donnelly School of Leadership and Social Innovation at John Carroll University and holds many other prestigious titles. He has spent 15 years as an entrepreneurship educator and instructional designer and built three complete entrepreneurship degree programs as well as created 20 entrepreneurship courses and updated more than 40 with AI. He has won awards for his digital curriculum and provides consulting, training, and more

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Building Powerful Youth-Adult Partnerships
2025-10-22 10:00 - 11:00
Strong relationships are the foundation of meaningful learning and mentorship is one of the most powerful ways to cultivate them. In this thought leaders session, we’ll explore how educators can build authentic, supportive, and empowering relationships with students through mentorship practices that foster trust, connection, and growth.
We’ll dive into key questions, like:

What do effective youth/adult partnerships look like in today’s educational landscape?
How can we create relationship-rich environments where every student feels seen, heard, and supported?
What are practical strategies for sustaining authentic relationships, especially in busy or virtual learning spaces?

Whether you’re mentoring students formally or building everyday connections that matter, this session will provide tools, stories, and inspiration to help you lead with empathy, authenticity, and intentionality.
Join us as we reframe mentorship not just as a program, but as a powerful approach to student success.

Guest speakers coming soon!

For questions, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at nylcweb@nylc.org.
This event will take place on Wednesday, October 22 at 11:00 AM CT via Zoom. You will receive the link to join the Zoom call closer to the date.

Making Math Meaningful
2025-10-22 15:15 - 16:00
Discover ways to use natural materials to represent math problems, find and understand math in nature, and use math to investigate authentic outdoor math problems in this training let by ACRES. Gain access to a hub of resources to explore, as well as activities you can use immediately. This is a free, LIVE, virtual workshop that will last 45 minutes. For more information, email acres@mmsa.org. To register, go to ACRES 2025 workshops
Date: October 22, 2025 5:15 – 6:00 p.m. ET / 2:15 – 3:00 p.m. PT

You Can Create Career Connections and Nurture STEM ID
2025-10-23 10:30 - 11:15
In this ACRES training, OST staff learn tips and tricks to help them make STEM career connections early on in the school year. Participants experience several easy-to-implement strategies, including a photo elicitation activity, learn about how youth form STEM identities, and then learn how to conduct related activities with youth. This is a free, LIVE, virtual workshop that will last 45 minutes. For more information, email acres@mmsa.org. To register, go to ACRES 2025 workshops.

Speed Networking #2: Interest Form
2025-10-23 16:00 - 17:15
Complete the Girls Who Code interest form for a chance to network with tech industry professionals!
If you are aged 18 – 26 and interested in elevating your early career tech journey, you are eligible to participate in Upskill Series! We are excited to offer this opportunity to our early career community.

Speed Networking is a powerful way to quickly expand your connections, build confidence, and practice sharing your skills with industry professionals. In this Speed Networking event, a smaller group of attendees will have the opportunity to meet virtually with professional corporate volunteers from various sectors, including those with technical backgrounds.
Capacity is limited, please register by the deadline Sunday, October 19th at 11:59pm ET or before capacity is reached to be considered. Registrants who are confirmed to attend this event will be notified on Monday, October 20th.
These volunteers are experienced professionals who are eager to share their knowledge and insights. During these sessions, you’ll practice:

Networking: during a few rounds of networking, you will meet a variety of professionals in different roles and companies
Sharing your professional goals: come prepared with an elevator pitch of your goals and strengths, and brainstorm any challenges and questions
Responding to advice: professionals will offer advice to kickstart your career in tech

It’s important to prepare questions to maximize your networking time. View Upskill with GWC through IBM SkillsBuild for activities to help you prepare!
If you have any questions regarding this event, please check out some of our FAQs below or here for additional questions.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speed-networking-2-interest-form-tickets-1675901318959?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

NMOST's Virtual OST Roundtable: Beyond the Clasroom
2025-10-24 10:00 - 12:00
NMOST will be hosting a VIRTUAL roundtable in partnership with our Lt. Governor Howie Morales October 24th, 10am – Noon!
Presenters will include:
Attorney General Raul Torrez and staff from the New Mexico Department of Justice, who will join us to discuss efforts to preserve funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers in New Mexico.

Jen Rinehart, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Programs at the Afterschool Alliance, who will join us to present the newly released 2025 America After 3 PM data with national and statewide insights about unmet demand, parental satisfaction, and access in rural and tribal communities.

Conor Hicks, Policy Analyst with the New Mexico Legislative Education Study Committee, who will join us to present his report with findings from the LESC’s evaluation on Out-of-School Time programming in New Mexico.

Register for our virtual Roundtable on October 24 at 10 AM!

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YES Curriculum in Action: Classroom Stories & Tips from Real Educators
2025-10-28 17:00 - 18:00
Want real-world advice on implementing YES engineering units? Join us for a fast-paced, story-rich webinar with classroom educators who’ve run YES in their schools. They’ll share which units they chose, how they prepped and organized materials, what facilitation moves kept students engaged, and the impact they saw in student collaboration, confidence, and problem-solving. Sign up here.

GWC Panel #2: Inside Tech - Career Stories & Insights You Need to Know
2025-10-29 17:00 - 18:00
Hear from professionals in the tech industry on their various career journeys!

Join Girls Who Code for an engaging discussion where experienced tech professionals will share insights into their career journeys and discuss current trends in the industry. Whether you’re interested in tech as a career path, or want to explore it as a potential field, this panel is for you!
Want to learn more? We recommend viewing our resources under ‘Career Exploration’ in Upskill with GWC through IBM SkillsBuild.
If you have any questions regarding this event, please check out some of our FAQs below or here for additional questions.

If you are aged 18 – 26 and interested in elevating your early career tech journey, you are eligible to participate in Upskill Series! We are excited to offer this opportunity to our early career community.
Register

Power of Us Webinar: Lessons Learned & Actions to Support the Youth Fields Workforce
2025-10-30 12:00 - 13:00
Join Every Hour Counts on Thursday, October 30 from 2-3pm ET for a conversation exploring key findings from the Power of Us Workforce Survey, a national study led by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and commissioned by The Wallace Foundation. With responses from more than 10,000 youth-serving professionals, this cross-sector survey offers a first-of-its-kind look at the workforce that supports young people beyond the school day.
From career pathways to compensation, the survey surfaces critical insights about the people at the heart of afterschool and summer programs—who they are, what they value, and what they need to thrive. We’ll unpack what the data means for systems leaders, funders, and advocates—and how we can take collective action to better support this essential workforce.
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Fueling Minds and Bodies: The Transformative Impact of School Breakfast
2025-11-03 13:00 - 14:00
The School Breakfast Program plays a vital role in supporting both student health and academic success by ensuring that every child starts the day with the nutrition they need to learn and thrive. Grounded in science-based nutrition standards, school breakfasts promote healthy growth and development, while also supporting school attendance, improving classroom behavior, and enhancing academic performance. Each school day, more than 15 million children benefit from school breakfast — thanks to dedicated partners, effective policies, and innovative service models. Yet, there’s still more work to do to reach every student who could benefit from this healthy morning meal. Join the Food Research & Action Center and a panel of school breakfast champions for an engaging discussion on the powerful impact of school breakfast programs and strategies to ensure every child begins the day well-nourished and ready to learn.

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Career-Connected Learning Training: Developing Career-Connected STEM Activities for Afterschool and Summer Learning
2025-11-05 13:00 - 14:00
For many youth, afterschool and summer programs are where sparks of interest in science, technology, engineering, and math begin. To help programs turn that interest into career pathways, STEM Next created the Career-Connected Learning Framework for Out-of-School Time Providers. The Framework helps programs explicitly embed career connections into their activities in ways that are practical, age-appropriate, and grounded in both research and real-world relevance.
In this training, attendees will practice developing career-connected STEM activities, exchange feedback with peers, and leave with three ready-to-use activities. Please bring one STEM activity to workshop during the training.
Audience: This training is designed for out-of-school time program providers and staff, including directors, professional development and quality specialists, and facilitators. It is also ideal for out-of-school time organizations, including museum and library staff.
Attendees who complete the post-training survey will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Amazon gift card for their program.

Register

Speed Networking #3: Interest Form
2025-11-05 16:00 - 17:15
Complete our interest form for a chance to network with tech industry professionals!

If you are aged 18 – 26 and interested in elevating your early career tech journey, you are eligible to participate in Upskill Series! We are excited to offer this opportunity to our early career community.
Speed Networking is a powerful way to quickly expand your connections, build confidence, and practice sharing your skills with industry professionals. In this Speed Networking event, a smaller group of attendees will have the opportunity to meet virtually with professional corporate volunteers from various sectors, including those with technical backgrounds.
Capacity is limited, please register by the deadline Sunday, November 2nd at 11:59pm ET or before capacity is reached to be considered. Registrants who are confirmed to attend this event will be notified on Monday, November 3rd.
These volunteers are experienced professionals who are eager to share their knowledge and insights. During these sessions, you’ll practice:

Networking: during a few rounds of networking, you will meet a variety of professionals in different roles and companies
Sharing your professional goals: come prepared with an elevator pitch of your goals and strengths, and brainstorm any challenges and questions
Responding to advice: professionals will offer advice to kickstart your career in tech

It’s important to prepare questions to maximize your networking time. View Upskill with GWC through IBM SkillsBuild for activities to help you prepare!
If you have any questions regarding this event, please check out some of our FAQs below or here for additional questions.

Register

The STEM Talk | States Take the Wheel
2025-11-06 10:00 - 11:00
Statehouses are driving the next wave of STEM innovation—from AI in classrooms to new funding models for career-connected learning and urgent action on teacher recruitment. Get insights from emerging state networks leading workforce partnerships, K-12 alignment, and real-world career pathways. Discover what these shifts mean for your ecosystem and how to position for success in 2026.
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Building Career Bridges in Afterschool
2025-11-06 13:00 - 14:00
Building Career Bridges in Afterschool

Afterschool and summer programs play an important role in preparing young people for future careers by offering flexible and engaging learning beyond the classroom.
Join STEM Next and Jobs for the Future for a webinar introducing Building Bridges with Industry: Integrating Career-Connected Learning into Out-of-School Time, a new playbook that helps afterschool and summer programs connect youth with education, industry, and workforce partners.
This event is for afterschool and summer program leaders, network and system partners, funders, and workforce development professionals.
Register here: https://stemnext.org/event/building-career-bridges-webinar/

STEM Pathways for Girls
2025-11-08 | Santa Fe Community College, 6401 Richards Ave, Santa Fe, NM, Santa Fe, NM, 87508, United States
Explore a variety of different STEM careers through a full day of workshops all led by professional women in STEM.

2025 NMSU Learn-A-Palooza
2025-11-08 10:00 - 13:00
2025 NMSU Learn-A-Palooza

Event Schedule
9:00 – 10:00 am: NMSU Homecoming Parade on University Drive
10:00 am: Learn-A-Palooza kick-off at the Corbett Ceter Outdoor Stage
10:00 – 1:00 pm: Vist the indoor and outdoor Learn-A-Palooza games, activities, and info booths!
Plus enjoy free food, Kona Ice, K-12 student performances, and the Sensation of Sublimation with Professor Bah Boom!
Schools can sign up to request a bus. Buses are limited, GISD will confirm availability and the district will request buses. Chaperone stipends of $150 are available for up to three chaperones (1 chaperone to 15 students ratio).
Middle and High School ONLY: Interested in staying for the Aggie Homecoming Football game against Kennesaw State from 2 – 5:30 pm? Let us know on this form!
Students can bring their stamped event passports to the registration tent for a complimentary *t-shirt and prize
*T-shirts distributed while supplies last.
Register here.

PLANETS Workshop for Out-of-School Time Educators
2025-11-10 08:30 - 14:30 | Explora, 1701 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104, United States
Help us get the word out about a new, FREE out-of-school-time NASA STEM curriculum and earn a $200 stipend for full participation!
Monday, November 10
8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Includes lunch!
Location:
Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum
1701 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
Seats are Limited. Apply Now!
tinyurl.com/PLANETS-ABQ

Gain hands-on experience with three new PLANETS units that highlight NASA planetary science and engineering.
Grades 6-8
● Water in Extreme Environments
● Remote Sensing
Grades 3-5
• Space Hazards
Benefits
• Enhance your teaching skills!
• Prepare to facilitate PLANETS curriculum in your OST setting.
• Share experiences and collaboratively plan with colleagues.
Resources Provided
• $200 stipend
• Free access to PLANETS curriculum.
• Support materials for getting started with PLANETS.
“I would highly recommend these lessons to my colleagues because they offer an engaging, hands-on approach to learning about planetary science that sparks curiosity in students. The activities are well-structured, inclusive, and adaptable for diverse learners, allowing every student to connect with the content in a meaningful way…These lessons not only teach science but also inspire students to explore the vast possibilities of space exploration.”
–OST educator, after testing PLANETS curriculum

Engaging Families and Communities in Career-Connected Learning Part I
2025-11-12 13:00 - 14:00
Career-Connected Learning Training: Engaging Families and Communities Part 1
Date: November 12, 2025
Time: 3–4 p.m. ET / noon–1 p.m. PT
Families and communities play a vital role in helping young people see STEM as part of their future. In this training session, attendees will explore STEM Next’s Career-Connected Learning Framework for Out-of-School Time Providers, with a focus on Family and Community Engagement. Participants will learn practical strategies to involve parents, caregivers, and community partners in STEM career exploration, with actionable steps to build ongoing family engagement and career-connected STEM activities to share with families and partners.
Audience: This training is designed for out-of-school time program providers and staff, including directors, professional development and quality specialists, and facilitators. It is also ideal for out-of-school time organizations, including museum and library staff.
Attendees who complete the post-training survey will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Amazon gift card for their program.

Register

What the World Can Teach Us About Service-Learning
2025-11-13 10:00 - 11:00
What can global perspectives teach us about service-learning? In this engaging Thought Leader Panel, explore how cultures and communities worldwide are reimagining service-learning to be more equitable, sustainable, and community-driven. Through real-world examples and interactive dialogue, you’ll gain practical tools and fresh insights to elevate your own programs—whether local or global.
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ACRES Training: Math Games and Fluency Activities
2025-11-13 13:00 - 14:00
ACRES Training: Math Games and Fluency Activities

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2025, 3–4 p.m. E T / noon–1 p.m. PT
Facilitators: ACRES
Description: Come engage in fluency math games and activities that support youth in learning math facts and becoming fluent in computation while having fun in the process! This is a free, LIVE, virtual workshop that will last 45 minutes. For more information email acres@mmsa.org. To register, go to ACRES 2025 workshops

Explora: Rollin' Robots Workshop
2025-11-13 15:30 - 17:30 | Explora, 1701 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104, United States
Use code, cardboard, and ingenuity to create fun, interactive experiences with an adorable robot ball called a Sphero!
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Explora: AI for Early Childhood Workshop
2025-11-18 14:00 - 16:00
Join us for activities exploring artificial intelligence for young learners. You’ll immediately be able to apply these ideas with your students!
Register

GWC Workshop #3: Job Search Tips & Tricks
2025-11-18 16:00 - 17:00
Join Girls Who Code for this workshop to hear from multiple tech companies share best practices when job searching!

Want to learn more? We recommend viewing our resources under ‘Job Search Tips & Tricks’ in Upskill with GWC through IBM SkillsBuild.
If you have any questions regarding this event, please check out some of our FAQs below or here for additional questions.

If you are aged 18 – 26 and interested in elevating your early career tech journey, you are eligible to participate in Upskill Series! We are excited to offer this opportunity to our early career community.
Register

Career-Connected Learning Training: Engaging Families and Communities Part II
2025-11-19 13:00 - 14:00
In this follow-up session to the first Engaging Families and Communities training, attendees will focus on building community partnerships that bring STEM careers to life. Participants will learn how to connect with role models, professionals using STEM in everyday jobs, and hubs like libraries and museums. Attendees will leave with practical approaches for engaging local partners and three career-connected STEM activities to extend learning beyond the program.
Audience: This training is designed for out-of-school time program providers and staff, including directors, professional development and quality specialists, and facilitators. It is also ideal for out-of-school time organizations, including museum and library staff.
Attendees who complete the post-training survey will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Amazon gift card for their program.
Register

Beyond the Conference: Foundations Webinar Series
2025-11-19 13:00 - 14:00
Keeping your OST program thriving beyond a grant? Easier said than done. In this second session of our Sustainability Series, we’re diving deeper into what it really takes to build lasting impact through strong partnerships, smart planning, and a vision for the long haul. Missed Part 1? No worries! You can catch up anytime on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DXw0WSpTCQ Hosted by Chaz Sumner & Scarlett O’Dell, Education Specialists at Foundations, Inc.
Your voice matters — join the conversation live!
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Wrap-Up Spotlight with Dr. Tarika Barrett (GWC)
2025-11-20 13:00 - 14:00
Join Girls Who Code as they wrap up the first Upskill Series with Dr. Tarika Barrett!

If you have any questions regarding this event, please check out some of our FAQs below or here for additional questions.

If you are aged 18 – 26 and interested in elevating your early career tech journey, you are eligible to participate in Upskill Series! We are excited to offer this opportunity to our early career community.
