New Resources

Recently added resource links

Excel Easy
If you're an Excel beginner, this is the perfect place to start.Microsoft Excel is one of the most used software applications of all time. Hundreds of millions of people around the world use Microsoft Excel. You can use Excel to enter all sorts of data and perform financial, mathematical or statistical calculations.Excel Easy offers a free tutorial on how to use Excel. Go to the site

Twirl Taos, Mask Gathering
Masks are our reality right now. Twirl Taos and partners have taken that reality and to explore deeper into the rich creativity, history, culture and emotional significance of mask-making and wearing. By taking a more expansive view of “the mask”, they hope to add depth and positivity to a topic that is pervasive and at times divisive in our lives today. This project provides a playful, creative, fun exploration of masks, past and present. It offers tools for checking in on our feelings and an outlet for expressing them. It culminates in a community creativity project to connect, uplift and inspire us all in these isolating times! Twirl has created five pathways of learning and creative mask-making for children, parents and teachers.

Wellbeing at School and at Home in New Mexico (WASH NM)
The faculty and students of the Department of Individual, Family and Community Education in the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of New Mexico would like to offer to all New Mexicans thoughts, ideas, and resources from ourselves and our areas of study and work -- counseling, educational psychology, family & child studies, and nutrition -- to enlighten, soften, and aid the COVID-19-related transitions. We intend to make this offering monthly, each with a theme relevant to our times. Read More

Summer activities
It's not too early to start planning for how to keep your kids active and engaged this summer. Summer learning programs are a great way to combat summer learning loss. The 2020 edition of the New Mexico Kids! magazine summer catalog for the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas is now available online (summer directory starts on page 40.)  Paper copies of the issue can be picked up at many locations.

Science Buddies
The award-winning, non-profit Science Buddies empowers K-12 students, parents, and teachers to quickly and easily find free project ideas and help in all areas of science from physics to food science and music to microbiology. Whether your goal is to find a fun science activity for your kids or win the international science fair, sciencebuddies.org puts comprehensive, scientist-authored tools, tips, and techniques at your fingertips. Website

Policy Papers from the Education Commission of the States
The Arts Education Partnership and Education Commission of the States recently convened leaders from across the arts and education fields for a Thinkers Meeting, where participants examined how STEAM education can help students succeed in and out of school. This new Policy Brief shares insights that look beyond existing state policies and explore new pathways to guide future practice, research and policy work to support access to STEAM education for all students. Related: Explore state policies and practices in this Policy Brief that can help states to advance STEAM education and increase student participation. 

Discover Data Science
Discover Data Science is all about making connections between prospective students and educational opportunities in an exciting new field. We believe that the world can benefit from more well-trained data scientists working across all levels of industry and academia. This guide is intended to provide a general background and specific resources for women considering STEM fields. Learn More about Data Science

Girls Who Code Clubs in New Mexico
Girls Who Code was founded with a single mission: to close the gender gap in technology. For information on free opportunities for young women to learn coding skills in New Mexico, check here.

Mind Research Institute
Pre-K and Kindergarten Math Activities for Families: Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, these early childhood years, are a crucial time in development of cognitive functions. This includes foundational math knowledge and attitudes toward math, but also reading and general academic success. Article and activities

Breaking Down Barriers: How Design & Technology Can Assist with Learning Accommodations 
Imagine not being able to hear at a crowded networking event, a loud social; or not being let in beyond the velvet rope to a party. For you, it may only be a burden in the moment, but for many who require accommodations or additional accessibility, this remains a part of their everyday life. For example, wheelchair users are unable to enter many shops, malls, restaurants; public places that don’t have wheelchair access or ramps. A lack of accessibility can’t be excused at schools, campuses or student facilities. When it comes to education, a lack of accommodation can hinder students from engaging in class, and being present in the way necessary to succeed or be their best. Accessibility in education plays a vital role in providing accommodating learning environments. This article discusses five education design ideas to assist and enhance the capabilities of students who need learning accommodations.  Go to the article

New Research:
The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) has just published a new report entitled "Afterschool Suppers: A Snapshot of Participation."

Tips for starting or expanding an OST program in your community PDF
Following a trip to the Lovington Youth Center for the ribbon cutting ceremony for their new STEAM Lab, a discussion with the youth center director, Melinda Medellin, led to this document with tips for starting or expanding an out-of-school time program in your community.

We've added a Program Information page under the Resources main menu item. As we learn about programs around the state, we'll post links to information pertaining to those programs. The previous Summer Program Information page will be a subheading.

Aspirations.org
From the National Center for Women and Information Technology, Aspirations in Computing seeks to revolutionize the face of technology. Site

TRAUMA INFORMED CARE

Adverse Community Experiences and Resilience PDF
A framework for addressing and preventing community trauma: Many communities are working to prevent violence and promote community safety and, through comprehensive, multi-sector actions, are making progress.

Supporting Students with Chronic Trauma PDF
De-escalation strategies can help prevent students' emotional outbursts, and aid them and their peers in finding calm after one: 

The Future of Healing PDF
Shifting from Trauma Informed Care to Healing Centered Engagement

Teenage Drug Abuse - A Guide for Parents and Educators
Teenagers and young adults are especially vulnerable to substance abuse and getting addicted. Early intervention by parents, family, and educators can go a long way. However, many parents get confused when they learn their kids are using drugs and have no clue how to proceed. If you or anyone close to you is having trouble with a struggling teen, this guide has everything you need to know. Go to the AddictionResource site

New Mexico STEM Competitions: New Mexico MESA's excellent listing of STEM-related competitions in New Mexico.  See the list

Check out the new Outreach Resources page for information on ways to bring activities and programs to your site.

Innoventure
The Innoventure program, which comes out of the Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University, is a free, ever-growing library of grade-appropriate activity books, animated videos and hands-on classroom projects that introduce elementary students to entrepreneurship, teamwork, communication and other key skills they need in the classroom and beyond. This press release has additional information about the program.  For more information and how to participate, visit the Innoventure Website

National Association of Research in Science Teaching:Supporting the Implementation of NGSS through Research: Informal Science Education
The ISE community is exceptionally well positioned to support efforts to help children learn science both inside and outside of the classroom in the following ways...  

Link to Page

Several new links for technology staff training support:

The purpose of Mozilla’s Core Web Literacy Curriculum is to provide learners with a basic conceptual understanding of how to read, write, and participate on the web. 

Link to Page

Click2Science - A thirty-minute staff meeting format PD for trying out available technology. 

Link to Page

Coursera - Free college level courses available for staff to learn all about the latest trends and techniques in digital learning. Courses change each semester so check back a couple of times a year. 

Link to Page

Google for Education - Self-paced training for educators who want to learn basic and advanced strategies for integrating Google into instructional practice. 

Link to Page

Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance ACRES Program - Front line staff can get more comfortable using technology through the facilitated, online professional development of the Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators (ACRES).  

Link to Page

PBS Learning Media - Coursework on maximizing digital learning in your classroom or program. There are videos, courses and trainings available. 

Link to Page

National Afterschool AssociationTech Toolkit
The Afterschool Tech Toolkit aims to empower afterschool professionals and educators with strategies and training so they can provide students with powerful access to technology outside of classroom hours.This toolkit is for those who lead or oversee out-of-school time programming in various settings including schools, community-based organizations, private organizations, churches, libraries and homeless shelters.  

Link to page

Internships and More
Information on internships, apprenticeships, volunteer opportunities and even more ways to try out potential careers and gain real-world experience.

Link to page

Title Pro's Tinkering Guide - DIY projects for hands-on learning
Hands-on learning is an important part of STEM education. It is one of the most popular and effective types of learning and allows you to use trial and error and to learn from mistakes or miscalculations. It closes the gap between theory and practice. Hands-on learning activities can motivate you to stay interested in learning. Some students find a traditional lecture format very boring and have a tough time staying focused on or excited about the subject when they’re just listening and taking notes. But being able to work with your hands and your mind on projects can help you connect with the subject on multiple levels. Even the students who do enjoy traditional classroom lectures can gain a new perspective from exploring material in this way.  

Link to page

OST and Workforce Development
OST plays an important role in helping children and youth identify and identify with potential careers, and also helps students to build foundational skills they'll need when they enter the workforce. This new page provides resources and reseach on workforce development in out-of-school time.

Link to page

Dual Credit in New Mexico
We've added a collection of links to information about Dual Credit at the various public universities and colleges around New Mexico, plus links to their degree and certificate information. High school students have a unique opportunity to take tuition-free classes at one of the many colleges and universities around the state and receive credit both toward high school graduation and toward a postsecondary degree or certificate. Whether classes are used to get a jump on a degree, or to begin training for a career in areas like renewable energy, healthcare, criminal justice, dental hygiene or automotive technology, dual credit programs can give our older youth a jump start on life after high school.

Link to page

Math Circles Collaborative of New Mexico
To quote from the National Association of Math Circles site: Math Circles bring K-12 students or K-12 mathematics teachers together with mathematically sophisticated leaders in an informal setting, after school or on weekends, to work on interesting problems or topics in mathematics. The Circles combine significant content with a setting that encourages a sense of discovery and excitement about mathematics through problem solving and interactive exploration. Ideal problems are low-threshold, high-ceiling; they offer a variety of entry points and can be approached with minimal mathematical background, but lead to deep mathematical concepts and can be connected to advanced mathematics.

Math Circle Activities

NMOST Data-to-Action outcomes

Infographics and Story Map

The NMOST Data-to-Action project seeks to map out-of-school time assets in the state and provide a context using existing data on poverty, student proficiency, juvenile justice referrals, and other metrics.

STEM Resource Guide for Kids - A big thank you to Cindy Powell and her Junior Scouts for recommending this resource repository!
A very nice collection of links to resources for a variety of STEM-related topics, hosted by the University of Cincinnati. STEM activities can be some of the most exciting ones around. Studying science, kids can learn about explosions. Technology can help kids modify their video games to do what they want. With engineering, they can build the best tree house in the neighborhood. And mathematics can help them conquer board and card games.Kids with a healthy curiosity about the world around them who are interested in learning about STEM can get started using the resources below. Learning never looked so cool!  Hit the Links!

Voices for Healthy Kids Action Center
More than 10 million children around the country participate in out-of-school time programs, including before and after-school care, weekend, and summer programs. Providing more than just a safe and supervised environment, these programs can play a huge role in building healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Voices for Healthy Kids has released new graphics, social media samples, fact sheets, messaging and other resources. Check out what we have available today, and help kids in your community!  Out-of-School Time Toolkit

STEM Ready America
STEM Ready America is a compendium from 40 authors presenting bold and persuasive evidence—as well as real-world examples of effective practices, programs, and partnerships—on how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) knowledge and skills are preparing young people to be successful in school today and the workforce tomorrow.

Navigating Social Emotional Learning from the Inside Out - The Wallace Foundation
Looking inside and across 25 leading SEL programs: A practical resource for schools and OST providers (Elementary School Focus)   Read More

New Mexico Ag in the Classroom
New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom (NMAITC) is a non-profit educational outreach program funded primarily by the membership of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau. The purpose of NMAITC is to educate the general public, with an emphasis on K-12 students and educators, about the importance of agriculture.  Lesson Plans and Activities

STEM Resources for Girls

ChickTECH
ChickTech is a national organization facilitating hands-on technology-centric events and programs to empower, support, and increase the confidence of women and girls. Through events, they build community, empower participants to see themselves as leaders, and provide networking and mentoring opportunities in the rapidly growing high tech industry. Find a Chapter near you. 

CoderGals
CoderGals is an organization where female high school mentors teach elementary school girls how to code through free after school workshops. Their mission is to spark young girls' interest in coding through fun, creative, and collaborative projects. Visit their website for information on starting a chapter in your area. No prior coding experience is necessary for mentors.

NCWIT's Top 10 Ways Families Can Encourage Girls' Interest in Computing
This Top 10 resource offers simple suggestions to encourage girls to study, and have a career in, computer science and related technology fields. Also available in Spanish.

The STEM Project 
The STEM Project aims to increase diversity in the STEM fields with a mission to inspire, educate, and empower girls by creating positive awareness about STEM fields. They organize workshops on STEM topics and host an annual competition where middle school girls use their STEM skills to build something useful or conduct scientific research to solve a real-world problem. The online competition is accepting applications in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Application deadline is September 17, 2017.