The BKC On Demand system has numerous topics that while written for a broader audience, may be of interest to the OST educator, including topics like anti-racism, finding wonder, emergency preparedness, observation, and healthy environments. The courses listed below have been written specifically for the OST audience/setting.
Scientists and engineers work together on a regular basis to solve problems and build explanations of the natural world. 21st century workers will be required to collaborate. In this module OST facilitators will learn how to emphasize teamwork in STEM experiences to help youth refine those skills. Practitioners share tips on projects, environment set-up, and group management that encourage cooperative learning. Easy-to-download instructions for several STEM challenges are provided. (2 hours)
Assessment is an essential but often overlooked part of STEM learning in after school programs. This module features interactive experiences and resources to help facilitators learn skills to include authentic assessment of youth STEM learning experiences. This is one of 20 STEM facilitation skills that help STEM click for school-age children and youth. (2 hours)
Gestionar con los niños activos durante los proyectos de ciencia e ingeniería puede ser un reto incluso para el personal más avanzado de tiempo fuera de la escuela. Aprenda cómo estructurar las experiencias y el espacio de STEM para tener interacciones y aprendizaje de grupo más positivos. A través del asesoramiento de expertos y de personal de primera línea, este módulo provee recursos para tener momentos seguros e interesantes durante las experiencias de grupo de STEM. Listas de planificación y varias instrucciones para actividades se incluyen en este módulo. (2 hours)
El diseño del ambiente puede afectar la forma en la que los jóvenes participan y experimentan la ciencia, la ingeniería, y el aprendizaje de las matemáticas en un programa de tiempo fuera de la escuela. Aprenda cómo configurar el espacio y organizar los materiales para maximizar la participación de los jóvenes, y vea las estrategias de los practicantes que incluyen el uso creativo del espacio interior y al aire libre y sobre los materiales de composición abierta. Aprenda formas de crear espacios asequibles para el cuestionamiento y la investigación que se diferencien de los entornos escolares tradicionales. (2 hours)
How staff arrange the environment can impact the way youth engage and experience science, engineering, and math learning in an out-of-school time program. Learn how to set up space and arrange materials to maximize youth involvement. Strategies from practitioners include creative use of outdoor and indoor space and use of open-ended materials. Learn how to create affordable spaces of wonder and inquiry that differ from traditional school environments. (2 hours)
Out-of-school time staff build programs with engaging activities for youth. However, they may miss an important element in the STEM inquiry experience: the process of reflecting on STEM activities to make a more meaningful learning experience. This module contains examples of facilitators’ language and several STEM experiences to try. This is one of 20 STEM facilitation skills that, when woven together, create a rich learning environment allowing STEM to click for children. (2 hours)
Hacer preguntas, probar ideas y ver cómo funcionan las cosas, de eso se trata la investigación científica. El personal de programas de tiempo fuera de la escuela (OST) apoya a los jóvenes en este proceso mediante el modelado de estas habilidades para los niños bajo su cuidado. Los adultos que saben que los descubrimientos no suelen suceder en un orden lineal pueden cumplir con los niños en cualquier momento en que surja su curiosidad y guiarles en investigaciones más profundas. Este módulo incluye ejemplos de video y recursos descargables para equipar al proveedor en este papel de capacitación. (2 hours)
Asking questions, trying ideas, and seeing how things work--that’s what scientific inquiry is all about. Out of school personnel support youth in this process by modeling these skills to the children in their care. Knowing that discoveries don’t usually happen in a linear order allows adults to meet children wherever their curiosity emerges and to guide them to deeper investigations. This module includes video examples and downloadable resources to equip the provider in this coaching role. (2 hours)
El personal de tiempo fuera del horario escolar (OST) tiene una oportunidad única para impactar el aprendizaje de las ciencias, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas (STEM) de los niños en edad escolar. Este módulo cuenta con experiencias interactivas, folletos de recursos, y videos para ayudar al personal a prepararse para facilitar las experiencias de STEM para satisfacer los intereses y niveles de desarrollo de los jóvenes y proporcionar un aprendizaje de STEM para los jóvenes y el personal. Este módulo es parte de las veinte competencias de Click2Science diseñadas para ayudar al personal de primera línea a facilitar las experiencias de STEM. (2 hours)
Out-of-school (OST) time staff have a unique opportunity to impact the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills of school-age children. This module features interactive experiences, resource handouts, and videos to help staff prepare to facilitate STEM experiences to meet the interests and developmental levels of youth and provide STEM learning for youth and staff. This module is part of the twenty Click2Science skills designed to help frontline staff facilitate STEM experiences. (2 hours)
El personal de OST y los voluntarios pueden apoyar intencionalmente la fase de pruebas y repetición de pruebas de las experiencias de ciencia e ingeniería para nutrir esta habilidad en los jóvenes de hoy. Las personas que se sienten cómodas con las pruebas y la repetición de pruebas están en mejores condiciones de conseguir trabajo que requiere habilidades de STEM del siglo 21 (ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas). Aprenda los conceptos básicos sobre las pruebas durante una experiencia de investigación y vea ejemplos de pruebas de entornos de OST. Pruebe una experiencia de STEM simple que el personal pueda utilizar para introducir la idea de probar variables de ensayo con los niños. (2 hours)
El personal y los voluntarios de tiempo fuera del horario escolar (OST) tienen la oportunidad única de impactar la ciencia, la tecnología, la ingeniería y las matemáticas de los niños. Esta lección es parte de las veinte habilidades de Click2Science diseñadas para ayudar al personal de primera línea a facilitar experiencias de STEM. Esta lección cuenta con experiencias interactivas y folletos para la selección de actividades de STEM para satisfacer los intereses y niveles de desarrollo de la juventud, proporcionando oportunidades de aprendizaje STEM para los jóvenes y el personal, y para la búsqueda de recursos para las actividades. (2 hours)
Out-of-school time (OST) staff and volunteers have a unique opportunity to impact the science, technology, engineering, and math skills of children. This lesson is part of the twenty Click2Science skills designed to help frontline staff facilitate STEM experiences. This lesson features interactive experiences and handouts for selecting STEM activities to meet the interests and developmental levels of youth, providing STEM learning opportunities for youth and staff, and finding activity resources. (2 hours)
Out-of-school time leaders can have a unique impact on the science, technology, engineering, and math skills of school-age children. This lesson is one of 20 Click2Science lessons designed to help frontline staff facilitate STEM experiences. Through both basic and “stretch” experiences, handouts, and videos learners will gain new strategies for sparking children’s interests and maintaining their participation in STEM investigations. (2 hours)
Documenting learning can be a burden at times, especially in an active out-of-school-time setting where children are coming and going throughout the program time. Yet showing evidence of learning may be the lifeline to a program’s funding and survival. In this module, review practical examples of the “why,” “what,” and “how” of STEM processes documentation. Learn how to seamlessly document learning and how to involve children in recording their own understanding and accomplishments. (2 hours)
People who are comfortable with testing and retesting are better equipped for 21st Century STEM work. OST staff and volunteers can intentionally support the testing and retesting phase of science and engineering experiences to nurture this attitude in today’s youth. Learn the basics about testing during an inquiry experience and view examples of testing from OST settings. Try a simple STEM experience that staff can use to introduce the idea of testing variables to children. (2 hours)
This lesson explores curriculum development for early childhood programs. Identify factors to consider when selecting activities, lessons, and resources for young children. Learn strategies for effectively implementing curriculum to support children’s learning and skill development. (2 hours)
(for Center Directors) This lesson focuses on involving senior adults in child care and education programs. Information includes how to recruit and train senior volunteers, prepare staff, and integrate senior adults into the curriculum. Discover the many benefits to both the children and adults in your program. (2 hours)
Learn ways to bring out nurturing, caring behaviors in children to create a classroom community where children support each other. Learn how to use non-competitive games to foster acceptance of all children. Identify the strengths and weaknesses for both you and the children in your program, and how to put the strengths to good use creating a sense of acceptance and community. (2 hours)
Administrators of early education and school-age programs need to develop skills in business and financial management to ensure long-term sustainability. This module will describe how to write a business plan to guide the operations of a child care program. Participants will also learn how to create a financial management plan (including written financial procedures). Finally, they will learn how to create a one-year operating budget. (2 hours)
This lesson examines the benefits of incorporating science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in out-of-school time (OST) programs. What is meant by STEM as related to work with school age youth? How can STEM-rich learning opportunities be provided in after school programs? Are practitioners nervous about providing STEM activities? This lesson provides ideas and strategies to assist providers in using inquiry-based and experiential learning in OST programs. (2 hours)
Building positive relationships with families is essential to ensure quality learning experiences for children in afterschool and youth development programs. This lesson provides ideas and strategies to engage families and maintain positive partnerships with families through the school age years. (2 hours)
"New Staff Orientation – Working with School-Age Youth" is a seven-hour lesson consisting of twelve chapters. The chapters are designed to guide you as you work with your program director, children, families, and co-workers to learn about new job responsibilities and ways to provide high quality care to school-age youth. (7 hours)
The Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) initiative, developed by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is an evidence-based program to support after school and other out-of-school-time programs to offer healthy foods and beverages, and opportunities for children to be more active. (7 hours)
Type 1 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects every aspect of life. Managing Type 1 diabetes is physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging for children and youth. Adults in group settings can provide needed support by teaching children and youth without Type 1 diabetes to become peer allies. (2 hours)
Front-line staff in school-age programs implement practices that can build a community atmosphere that encourages positive peer interactions and discourages bullying. Front-line staff create positive relationships with youth while teaching friendship, assertiveness, and conflict resolution skills. Front-line and administrative staff work together to establish clear behavior guidelines, create consistent consequences, and implement reporting and follow-through. They keep families informed and invite feedback and suggestions. (2 hours)
Administrators of school-age programs can build a community atmosphere that encourages positive peer interactions and discourages bullying. Administrators forge relationships with staff that model mutual respect. They provide vision for the long-term goal. They lead a collaborative effort to identify behavior guidelines, determine consequences, and implement consistent behavior policies. They encourage open communication and invite constructive feedback. They review and evaluate results. (2 hours)
Positive youth development – this should be the goal of every interaction with youth in after-school programs. But what is “positive youth development”? What are the indicators of a quality youth development program? What competencies are important for adults working with youth to have or develop? This distance education lesson focuses on the features of after-school/youth development programs that promote positive development in the youth they serve. (2 hours)
After school practitioners can build strong relationships with youth as they model inclusion and provide an emotionally and physically safe environment. Belonging is a critical element of quality youth development programs. Youth need to know that they are cared for, have a sense of connection to others, and that their environment is safe. This lesson focuses on how school age practitioners can create a culture of belonging for youth, families and staff in their programs. (2 hours)
This series of modules on Positive Youth Development (PYD) presents you with knowledge and tools to successfully work with school-age children and youth ages 5 through 18. Because youth development professionals come from many backgrounds and work in a variety of settings, this first module is a good starting point in the PYD series, and focuses on basic information about child growth and development. (2 hours)
