Presentation formats we’ll feature at Convention, as well as the five learning strands

Quality and Innovative Programming: Workshops

#BigCityBigGoals: Re-Branding NYC Afterschool

NYC provides funding for hundreds of afterschool programs, but few had heard of the citywide initiative. To solve this, NYC embarked on a social marketing project that changed both the approach and image of its middle school afterschool programs. SONYC not only provides a universal brand for hundreds of unique programs citywide, but it also established research-based best practices for programs to adopt, such as creating topic-based clubs, separating middle school youth from both younger and older students and offering culminating events, exhibitions and competitions that drive attendance year round. SONYC will serve over 40,000 students in its inaugural year.

Presented by: Jeff Jordan, President, Rescue Social Change Group; Denice Williams, Assistant Commissioner, COMPASS, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development

#HowTo: Attract High-Risk Teens to Afterschool Programs

It is a challenge to attract high school students to afterschool programs. But even more challenging is attracting those at high risk of dropping out, failing classes or engaging in risk behaviors. Research with over 5,000 teens in CA, IL, NY, NV, VA and NM has revealed that higher-risk students identify with certain peer crowds that are associated with risk behaviors. Though usually unintentional, afterschool programs often align themselves with low-risk peer crowds, making it socially unappealing for high-risk teens to participate. By designing the content and promotions of programs with high-risk peer crowds in mind, practitioners can more easily attract high-risk teens and cause significant social change in their community.

Presented by: Jeff Jordan, President, Rescue Social Change Group
#LiteracyAndMathActivities: Fun and Learning

This hands on interactive workshop will walk participants through a creative and fun approach to making literacy and math come to life for students. Activities will focus on skill builders and key concepts in ways to make them stick.

Presented by: Alycia Orcena, 21st CCLC Program Coordinator, Delaware City Schools
A Seamless Connection: School and Afterschool

Afterschool programs offer more than just childcare services - they build character, foster relationships and construct knowledge. Participants in this session will discover how incorporating the Common Core Standards will bolster their program by supporting those goals and building a stronger connection to the school day. Participants will gain a better understanding of the standards and how they can easily they fit into their afterschool programming. Guaranteed to walk away with a ready-to-go idea or two, participants will feel more confident about the standards and what they truly mean to afterschool.

Presented by: Karen Marino, Supervisor of Enrichment and Academies, Farmington Extended Care and Learning
Academic Outcome through Project-Based Learning

Children are under a lot of stress to meet their academic (Common Core) demands. Project-based learning (PBL) curriculum is to have children understand the connection between their academic learning and the greater world. Participants will design a step-by-step curriculum to keep children experiencing learning in a fun, engaging and intentional process.

Presented by: Sonia Toledo, President and CEO, Dignity of Children, Inc.
Advancing Healthy OST: Reaching New Standards

A national movement is underway among OST providers, intermediaries and advocates to promote healthy eating and physical activity in before school, afterschool and vacation programs and camps. Come be a part of the conversation as to how we will get this done! Learn the new NAA standards and leave with strategy. We will talk and move!

Presented by: Georgia Hall, Senior Research Scientist, National Institute on Out-of-School Time
All About Aloha: An Antidote for Bullying

In the Hawaiian language, Aloha means peace, compassion and mercy. By incorporating the spirit of Aloha into afterschool activities, the team members of Kama`aina Kids have taken a proactive approach against bullying. All About Aloha allows children to experience the virtues of compassion, acceptance and cooperation values that lie at the heart of the Aloha State through a traditional activity format, such as dance, arts and crafts and games. This active session provides a variety of activities that not only perpetuates the meaning of Aloha, but also allows participants to learn about a word best defined through an experience.

Presented by: Randy Miyashiro, School Age Training Director, Kama`aina Kids
Animation is Elementary

Animated movies have a magnetic pull on students of all ages. They are also a rich opportunity to learn and practice storytelling. Bring your ipad and come learn the basic art and craft of creating stop-motion and digital animation using ipads and simple art materials.

Presented by: Leonid Tunik, Founder, Empow Studios
Assessing and Selecting Afterschool Curricula

With so many curricula options available for afterschool, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to invest your dollars. Using PASE’s Afterschool Curricula Selection Guideline as a framework, participants will examine comprehensive list of criteria that can be used to make decisions about various types of curricula that work best for their program.

Presented by: Delia Kim, Program Director, Partnership for After School Education (PASE); Ellen O'Connell, Managing Director-Programs, Partnership for After School Education (PASE)

Bark Up the Right Tree and Learn New Tricks

Social and emotional learning Mutt-i-grees curriculum. Leave with a complete complimentary curriculum. Anti-bullying and great service learning activities. Used in thousands of afterschool programs. An interactive presentation! Plus win prizes, learn and have fun!

Presented by: Norma Meek, Mutt-i-grees Educational Training Consultant, North Shore Animal League
Beats and Bars: DJing from a STEM Perspective

Music and Technology are currently the leading influences in youth culture. Beats, Bars and Phrases: Music Production workshop demonstrates ways to integrate popular music and technology to promote 21st Century Skills, cultivate creativity and encourage self-expression.

Presented by: Timiya Clark, Program Specialist, Public Health Management Corporation
Beyond School Credit: 21st Century Skills and ELOs

Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELOs) through the Providence After School Alliance’s (PASA) hub high school initiative offer young people a chance to earn graduation credit for learning that takes place beyond the classroom. Although youth participants do receive high school credit upon successful completion of the program, PASA’s focus is on engaging youth in consistent participation, growing their social and emotional competencies and building relevant real-world skills as measured by validated assessment tools and performance-based rubrics.

Presented by: Kristin Elliot, Hub Coordinator, Providence After School Alliance; Patience Landford, Hub Coordinator, Providence After School Alliance; Alex Molina, Deputy Director, Providence After School Alliance
Brains Over Bridges: 21st Century Engineering Ed

Through My Window is a multimedia educational website where children and young teens encounter engineering in a world of ideas, stories, and adventures. The project targets underrepresented groups in engineering in afterschool settings - especially girls - and is designed to improve attitudes about engineering, provide a deeper and broader understanding of what engineering is about, and increase interest in engineering careers.

Workshop participants will explore throughmywindow.org, including Talk to Me, a young adult mystery novel with engineering themes; ‘Rio’s Brain,’ an online learning adventure; and teachers’ curriculum guide. Participants will leave with a copy of the Talk to Me novel, teacher’s guide, and tote bag.
Presented by: Beth McGinnis-Cavanaugh, Professor, Principal Investigator, Through My Window
Bringing Out the Best in Your Program

Do you feel that your program operates smoothly and the youth like attending your activities, but your program is not awesome? Our discussion about how to bring out the best in your program will explore the importance of diversification, youth expression and energy to take your program to the next level. Be ready to share and learn from all in the room. Bring your good ideas and join the discussion!

Presented by: Rachel Willis, Project Coordinator, Kansas Enrichment Network
Cardboard, Paint and Play: Imaginative Play in SAC

Research has shown that imaginative play is vital to cognitive and social growth and development in children. Participants will learn how to create environments that allow for imaginative play through the use of a variety of recyclable items to create rich play scenarios for school age children. Participants will engage in hands-on play to assist in fostering inquiry, problem-solving and cooperation among school age children and will walk away with project planning tools to ensure success.

Presented by: Tavia James, Executive Director, Watoto After School Care, Inc.
Creek Freaks: Outdoor Eduation with Science and Exploration

Creek Freaks engages children in exploring, monitoring and learning about local streams. Participants will have a first-hand opportunity to conduct hands-on activities from the curriculum, view the interactive website and hear success stories from Creek Freaks afterschool programming. Attendees will receive a copy of the curriculum.

Presented by: Erin Johnson, Clean Water Fellow, Izaak Walton League of America
Devising Arts, STEM and Community Service Mash Ups!

This interactive session will introduce an innovative approach to creating projects that integrate academic instruction, STEM and community service with creative arts and athletic forms. Review a sample project, deconstruct the process used to develop it and formulate a plan for developing projects customized to your own afterschool community.

Presented by: Lucille Rivin, Director of Curriculum Design, The Leadership Program
Discovering the Fun of Literacy

Gain practical and creative ways to build stronger literacy skills in students, kindergarten to grade five. Participants will learn how to facilitate engaging activities that encourage students to discover the fun of literacy while building critical skills. This session will be packed full of ideas to get your students reading and enjoying it!

Presented by: Tania Lazar, Associate Director, Training and Technical Assistance, Center for Afterschool and Expanded Learning, Foundations, Inc.
Do the Math: Fun with Numbers. It All Adds Up!

This workshop is aligned with the Common Core Standards for Math. Do not let that scare you away. You do not have to be good at math to help kids improve their math skills and have a blast at the same time. Join us in this fast-paced, fun-filled math games session.

Presented by: Chelsea Ashcraft, Founder and CEO, Children's Choice; Mike Ashcraft, Founder and CEO, Children's Choice
Edutainment! Using the Arts to Engage Youth

How can we use art to engage youth audiences? Can creative performance be the vehicle for sharing critical information with young people? The Edutainment workshop will feature replicable examples of programming that use diverse forms of art from theater, music and dance, to martial arts and spoken word poetry to educate and empower. Best practices and resources will be shared.

Presented by: Ronald Lee, Jr., Program Coordinator, The Yunion; Jason Wilson, Founder and CEO, The Yunion
Engineering is Everywhere in Afterschool!

Middle school-aged children are ready and able to play an active role in shaping the world they live in. The free-to-download Engineering Everywhere curriculum invites youths in OST settings to address global engineering problems through hands-on and exciting activities. In this session, participants will engineer an antiviral that prevents a model virus from attaching to or infecting a model cell. Participants will then discuss strategies on how to empower youths using engaging and relevant real-world engineering challenges. Participants will leave with the confidence and resources to facilitate engineering activities in their afterschool programs.

Presented by: Melissa Higgins, Director of Curriculum Development, Museum of Science Boston; Tania Tauer, Curriculum Developer, Museum of Science Boston
Every Picture Tells Your Story

WRiTE BRAiN books are richly-illustrated, textless books igniting self-expression and inventive storytelling while developing necessary 21st Century Skills. Upon completion of their books, students upload their stories onto the WRiTE BRAiN website and receive a fully self-authored published book! Due to the disguised learning nature of our project-based learning program, students are embracing all of the activities with full engagement because, simply put, it is just plain fun! Join us to find out how the WRiTE BRAiN program compliments your organization’s learning community.

Presented by: Julia Gabor, Director of Education, WRiTE BRAiN WORLD
Exploration in Ag-Ventures

Corn babies, soil sorting and soybeans that explode? Learn how to leverage community partnerships with agricultural commodity groups while engaging in fun, hands-on, disguised learning through science and nutrition in this workshop packed with exploration in ag-ventures. Do not miss how to bring virtual farm visits, resources and volunteers to your program without ever boarding a bus (and quite possibly without ever spending a dime)!

Presented by: Nancy Jeffs, District Coordinator, Before After School Programs, Ankeny Community School District
Explore the World with Interdisciplinary Projects

Afterschool programs can use a global learning approach to develop youth’s academic and 21st Century Skills while increasing student engagement. Learn about the importance of global competence and how to create inquiry-based projects that help youth apply knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines to the complex world around them.

Presented by: Heather Loewecke, Senior Program Manager, Afterschool and Youth Leadership Initiatives, Asia Society
Explore This! Homework Help

Join us on an expedition through the land of homework. Participants will learn fun and new ways to engage schoolagers in completing their homework assignments as well as practicing academic skills. Come ready to explore!

Presented by: Sheila James, Technical Advisor, YMCA of the USA
Game, Point, Match: Character through Sport

Learn about this unique model that uses tennis to teach character. New York Junior Tennis and Learning (NYJTL) has significantly impacted kindergarten to twelfth grade youth in New York City’s most challenging neighborhoods for over 40 years. Sport provides the opportunity to excel in a physical activity as well as the ability to engage young people and develop character. NYJTL and character education partner CITRS have developed a robust and interactive character program. This session will explore the crucial integration of sports and character education, discuss best teaching and coaching practices and provide effective resources and curriculum applicable for all sports.

Presented by: Jessica Bailey, Senior Director of Education, New York Junior Tennis and Learning; Jeanne Craft, Vice President, CITRS; Brendan Petersen, Chief Operating Officer, CITRS
Get Up and Go: Grab Your Gear for Global Arts!

In this workshop, we will share curriculum developed through a collaborative partnership (global arts) that has been developed with a local arts program. Administrators and educators from both programs work together to provide art enrichment to the students after school in a fun and educational format. Students gain knowledge and exposure to different cultures and their art from around the world. A variety of interesting mediums are used to recreate this art, often using affordable and every day art supplies. As a bonus, students learn facts and information about this culture’s history and geography.

Presented by: Kelly Curtis, Program Coordinator, SEED Program; Nikki Mahan, Director, Division of Youth Services, SEED Program
Increasing Engagement for Youth with Disabilities

One in five people has a disability. Whether or not your program specifically targets youth with disabilities, the more you know about how best to serve this population, the more successful your overall program outcomes will be. This interactive training will provide information on how to adopt or expand an inclusive approach, including definitions and statistics, disability etiquette and language, reasonable accommodations and specific tips for inclusive programming.

Presented by: Genelle Thomas, National Center Director, Partners for Youth with Disabilities

Innovating Afterschool at Local Parks

Millions of kids visit local parks and recreation centers for out-of-school time programs every year. This presentation will highlight innovative strategies parks use to engage kids in improving their health and connecting with nature after school.

Presented by: Jessica Culverhouse, Senior Manager, National Recreation and Park Association; Kellie May, Senior Program Manager, National Recreation and Park Association
Introducing Make Education To Youth

Learn strategies for make education programming with hands-on activities designed to promote interest, awareness and enthusiasm for STEM. The focus is on fun ways to engage students in learning science with experiential, open-ended activities. Participants will practice in small groups, applying what they learn. Overview of resources available, how and where to access them will be provided.

Presented by: Kathleen Jamison, Professor and Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development Virginia Tech University; Paul Lambert, Virginia 4-H Maker, Growing 4-H Science in Urban Communities; Sarah Morton, Program Director, Growing 4-H Science in Urban Communities
Kids Taking Over! Peer Coaching as a STEM Strategy

A leader in providing unique experiences for afterschool science clubs, the Museum of Science and Industry-Chicago leads participants in creating a program infrastructure to prepare older students to be co-facilitators in STEM learning for younger club participants. Activities and programs highlighted involve preschool to high school-aged students.

Presented by: Dominique Gardner, Education Coordinator, Museum of Science and Industry-Chicago; Maggie Goodman, Education Coordinator, Museum of Science and Industry; Gail Hutchison, Education Coordinator, Museum of Science and Industry-Chicago; Brett Nicholas, Manager, Community Initiatives, Museum of Science and Industry
LAUSD, Training Future Cybersecurity Professionals

Experience how LAUSD created an award winning Cyber Patriot program with afterschool funding. From elementary through high school, learn how to recruit and build a successful program to prepare students for one of the fastest growing sports competition, where every student has the chance to go pro in cyber security.

Presented by: Alvaro Cortes, Executive Director, Beyond the Bell, Los Angeles Unified; Robert Diaz, Program Coordinator, Beyond the Bell, Los Angeles Unified; Carey Peck, Program Specialst, Beyond the Bell, Los Angeles Unified; Harry Talbot, Administrative Coordinator, Beyond the Bell, Los Angeles Unified
Learning and Skill Development Beyond the Bell

This interactive workshop provides participants with research-based practices and practical planning tools from the Beyond the Bell Toolkit. Participants will work together in developing sample academic enrichment activities that integrate learning standards and support skill and competency development in fun and engaging ways.

Presented by: Fausto LÃ3pez, Afterschool and Expanded Learning Consultant, American Institutes for Research; Deborah Moroney, Principal Researcher, American Institutes for Research
Lessons on Digital Badges in the Afterschool Field

Competency-based education and digital badging have recently become a hot topic in education. Digital badging has emerged as one of the most common ways of tracking and displaying students’ experiences, abilities and accomplishments. This discussion includes discussion of opportunities, challenges and lessons from efforts to incorporate badging in afterschool programs.

Presented by: An-Me Chung, Chief of Partnerships, Mozilla Foundation; Dan Gilbert, Associate, Afterschool Alliance; Ellie Mitchell, Director, Maryland Out of School Time Network
Linking Quality Afterschool and Summer Programs

The Summer Enrichment Experience (SEE) has transformed summer school for everyone in New Britain, CT. Students, post-kindergarten through post-third grade and post-fifth grade that score substantially deficient on standardized tests, are invited to an experiential learning program with an aligned curriculum following the Common Core. SEE is a collaboration of the district, community-based organizations, funders, teachers, parents and students. Now in its fifth year, students who attend SEE are the first eligible to fill slots in the extended day programming during the school year. Partners value quality of the program and the data, as such we use the quality improvement cycle; this has led to sustainable gains, increased district support and national recognition.

Presented by: Mallory Deprey, Program Coordinator, YWCA New Britain; Nancy Sarra, Director of Teaching and Learning, Consolidated School District of New Britain
Make Your Lesson Rise: Cookie Cutters Not Allowed

The internet is a great resource for finding lesson plans, but those lesson plans may not be the most accurate, appropriate or outcome-driven for quality programming. This session will help participants to perform a quality check on the lesson plans they pull offline or photocopy from a book.

Presented by: Mashona Council, Youth Development Consultant, Council Consulting; Femi Vance, Research Associate, Public Profit
Making Science Fun

Create an enjoyable environment where children learn the important role of failure, iteration, testing and concept creation.

Presented by: Lisa Tripoli, Key Account Manager, S&S Worldwide
Making So Much More Out of a Read Aloud!

Kids love to be read to, and there are so many important skills that can come from activities that build on a great story. Join us to experience engaging and fun ways to support school day literacy efforts while giving kids tools to be college and career ready.

Presented by: Megan Green, Manager of Afterschool Programs, Developmental Studies Center
Mission STEM: Fostering Exploration and Innovation

Join us for a fun, hands-on workshop that will help you launch STEM for the elementary students in your program. Learn how to implement engaging, inquiry-based, science and math activities that stimulate critical thinking. You will take away hands-on activities that you can take back and use in your program.

Presented by: Laurie Michnal, Vice President of Educational Training and Development, Zula International
Music Power Action: Using Today's Music and Movies!

What is the connection between Wiz Khalifa and Imagine Dragons? From T.I. and Taylor Swift? XMen and Hunger Games? Come to this tool-filled (and often standing-room only) workshop 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.

Presented by: Eric Rowles, CEO and President, Leading To Change
Mysterious Makers Meet Afterschool!

DIY, Makerfaire, 3D Printing, Arduino, Open Source - sound mysterious? We live in a remarkable time! Today, any educator with an idea and a laptop can create the seeds of world change. Inspire the youth in your program by learning more about how the maker movement uses play, creativity and exploration. Makers are a little bit scientist, a little bit hobbyist, a little bit hacker and a lot of creative genius. Learn how you can create the model for the next Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison or George Washington Carver. Step into the world of mysterious makers.

Presented by: Shawn Petty, Training and Development Manager, Edvance Research
NASA's Afterschool Resources: Learning with Light

How do astronomers learn about objects in space that are too far away to visit? Everything we know about distant stars, galaxies and more comes from one source of information ‘“ light. Take hands-on activities back to your program that simulates the tools and skills that scientists use to study space.

Presented by: Sarah Eyermann, Education and Outreach Specialist, Syneren Technologies and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Sara Mitchell, Education and Public Outreach Specialist, Syneren Technologies and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Participatory Evaluation for Out-of-School Programs

Is your program achieving the outcomes that you want? Let’s discuss how to ask good evaluation questions, identify who should be involved and come up with a plan to conduct a simple evaluation. We will focus on participatory evaluation using action research.

Presented by: Jane Sharp, Evaluator, Sharp Ideas LLC
Planting the Seeds of Agricultural Literacy

Many Americans do not know where their food comes from. Studies show that children who explore agriculture make healthier food choices and gain an appreciation for agriculture’s contributions to their lives. Participants will experience hands-on activities from a free online middle school agriculture curriculum that is adaptable for younger or older students.

Presented by: Thomas Hutson, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, University of Maryland Extension; Sharon Pahlman, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, University of Maryland Extension
Prep Rally: Helping Kids Get Ready for Emergencies

Are you ready? To learn? To have fun? For disaster? Save the Children’s Prep Rally program helps children learn how to prepare for emergencies through engaging resources, activities, games and discussion. Come see how you can use this free turn-key curriculum to meet the specific needs of your community.

Presented by: Sarah Thompson, Associate Director, US Programs, Save the Children
Preparing At-Risk Youth to Transform Communities

Two Youth Community Action (YCA) programs are promoting workforce development among at-risk youth and achieving national recognition for their successes in four New York cities. CITIZEN U operates in Binghamton and Rochester, and NY Youth CAN (Community Action Network) operates in Albany and Buffalo. In CITIZEN U’s first three years, 100% of the at-risk youth graduated successfully from high school and began college on full or partial scholarships. Learn how to adapt best practices from these programs to your positive youth development and community improvement programs.

Presented by: Victoria Giarratano, Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County; June Mead, State Project Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County
Program Pirates Afterschool Treasure Map

The nationally-recognized City of Decatur will share our secret to successful multi-site kindergarten to eighth grade programming. Help your program thrive in seven concrete steps: chart your course, cultivate a culture of high expectations, navigate a planning process, adopt choices, nurture 21st Century Skills, inspire staff and make the case with school administration.

Presented by: Lartesha Chaney, Site Director, Whiz Kids After School Program, City of Decatur, Georgia; Claire Miller, Director, Children and Youth Services, City of Decatur, Georgia
Reading for Meaning - Fluently!

Learn how to develop fluency, support vocabulary and promote comprehension by combining the powerful, research-based strategies of teacher modeling, repeated reading and progress monitoring. Accelerate the reading achievement of Title I, special education, ELL and mainstream students using these research-proven strategies.

Presented by: Elaine Balum, Reading Specialist and Educational Consultant, Read Naturally
Reading is a Superpower: Use Comic Books to Teach!

Learn and practice comic book activities that can be implemented to engage all students, including reluctant and challenged readers and English language learners. Receive Common Core aligned lessons addressing reading, vocabulary and writing. Discover how students can create comic book-based projects for presentation at your own comic con.

Presented by: Tamarie Tigh, National Consultant, ABDO Publishing
Ready To Learn: Early Math Learning in Afterschool

Under the Department of Education-funded Ready To Learn initiative, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS KIDS have developed dynamic new educational content (www.pbskids.org/lab) to support early math and literacy learning. Presenters from CPB, Maryland Public Television and national outreach partners will share resources and strategies for bringing these platforms to life in expanded learning settings.

Presented by: Christine Mai, Policy and Communications Manager, Every Hour Counts; Krista Respass, Managing Director, Early Childhood Education, Maryland Public Television; Larry Smith, Manager of Technical Assistance, National Summer Learning Association; Devon Steven, Project Manager, Ready To Learn, Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Realization of STEM through Genetics and Amusement

Need help motivating and engaging teens with STEM topics? Come explore meaningful STEM topics for your teens. During this session, you will explore physical science topics through amusement park modeling and life science topics through genetics using arts and crafts with the goal of achieving project-based outcomes.

Presented by: Charles Brass, Education Coordinator, Museum of Science and Industry; Tanita Mitchell, Education Coordinator, Museum of Science and Industry
Roadmap to Quality Improvement with COA Standards

Using COA’s complimentary resources, chart a process to program quality improvement based on nationally recognized, evidence-based standards.

Presented by: Jim Murphy, Director, COA; Mei-Lam Rice, Accreditation Coordinator, COA
Sparking Interest in STEM

Learn new strategies for sparking interest in STEM, find resources for your program and explore elephant toothpaste. This hands-on session presented by Click2SciencePD will get you excited about STEM and help you develop skills in facilitating learning. Plus you will hear about digital badges from NAA to document STEM learning.

Presented by: Holly Carr, Project Manager, Click2SciencePD; Saundra Frerichs, 4-H Science Education Specialist, Nebraska 4-H; Jill Walahoski, Associate Extension Professor, Nebraska 4-H Youth Development
Strategies that Impact Enrollment

Providence After School Alliance has had success filling programs and keeping them full. Learn about our three key strategies of branding, staff development and youth engagement that keep them coming back

Presented by: Robert Randall, Director of Middle School Initiatives, Providence After School Alliance
Strategies to Build Non-Cognitive Skills

Non-cognitive skills are the key to success, but we are still learning how to help youth build them. In this session, participants will learn how to select a non-cognitive skill-building strategy that will work best for their youth. Attendees will leave with a detailed guide on strategies to build non-cognitive skills.

Presented by: Corey Newhouse, Founder and Principal, Public Profit; Femi Vance, Research Associate, Public Profit
Summer Slide Solution: A Recipe for Success

Current research shows that an integrated approach to reading that includes access to lots of content-rich, age-appropriate literacy materials, combined with aligned activities effectively addresses the summer loss of learning typical among 80 percent of the disadvantaged children. Based on the results of a three-year collaboration between Reading Is Fundamental and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware with a sample of 5,115 children, this skill-building and interactive workshop will give you the tools to develop a summer learning program that shows impact on reading abilities in children and presenting you with an inexpensive recipe that integrates reading into your existing summer activities. Latest research will be shared.

Presented by: Anthony Boswell, Chief Operating officer, Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware; Judy Cheatham, Vice President of Literacy Services, Reading Is Fundamental; Suchi Hiraesave, Executive Director, Grants Development, Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware
Supporting College and Career Readiness

Out-of-school time is the right place to help kids become confident, engaged and college and career ready. Starting with the end in mind is a perfect way to help our children become successful. Join us to see how to make the Habits of Mind come to life in a way that does not feel like more school.

Presented by: Megan Green, Manager of Afterschool Programs, Developmental Studies Center
Surround Sound: Immersing Kids in Afterschool Music

The session will follow a screening of I Am a Fine Musician (IAFM) the night before. The 24-minute short examines learning theory inherent to El Sistema. Two leaders in the LA area afterschool arts education scene, Richard Roberts, educator and philanthropist, and Myka Miller, Executive Director of Harmony Project, will speak about efforts to spread these programs in the afterschool arena.

Roberts will talk about differences between standard arts enrichment and the communities of practice these programs create. Miller will speak about what it takes to implement a program of this scope. Session participants will have the opportunity to explore what elements they may have in place for this type of program and steps to take.
Presented by: Myka Miller, Executive Director, The Harmony Project
The What and How of Physical Activity-Based PYD

Presenters will overview key components of physical activity-based positive youth development (PA-PYD) programs and discuss how aspects can be integrated into existing afterschool programs. We will also highlight ways afterschool programs can partner with existing PA-PYD programs. Hands-on activities will be used to bring the content of the workshop to life.

Presented by: Allison Riley, Vice President, Program Quality and Evaluation, Girls on the Run International
Theatre Games to Support Youth Development

Learn and participate in acting and improvisation games for students (or staff!) to teach teamwork, empathy, build self-esteem, encourage critical thinking, creativity, communication and more. Walk away with ideas for introducing and using the games, an arsenal of activities and a smile on your face.

Presented by: Alicia Mackall, Digital Literacy and Learning Coach, Millville Public Schools
There's More to Math than Facts

LEGO Education MoreToMath can help students in first and second grades bridge the gap between learning core math facts and applying them in real-life scenarios. Develop problem-solving abilities while enhancing their vocabulary, reading, thinking, speaking and listening skills in relation to math topics, MoreToMath works by connecting student enjoyment with success, resulting in learners who are engaged, confident and excited about math. During this hands-on workshop, participants will use a unique set of LEGO Education bricks and curriculum to model solutions for solving word problems, understanding number operations and algebraic thinking, measuring and representing data and developing competencies within eight mathematical practices.

Presented by: Kelly Reddin, Master Trainer, LEGO Education
Thinking Outside the Book: Reimagining Literacy

Combining physical activity, poetry and community service; plays performed and written by students - the possibilities are endless for afterschool programs offering literacy-focused activities. Join the conversation to hear how afterschool programs are helping ignite students’ interest in literacy and developing strong reading, writing and comprehension skills.

Presented by: Nikki Yamashiro, Director of Research, Afterschool Alliance
Tools and Techniques for Effectively Collecting Fees

Many afterschool programs are beginning to use new technologies to make billing and payment processing easier, reduce their bad debt and increase the speed of payment collection. You will hear real-life examples from a childcare provider and a technology organization.

Presented by: Chad Koenig, EZ-CARE2 Regional Account Manager, SofterWare Inc.
Transform Literacy with Leveled Role-Play Reading

Fun, interactive workshops teach how multi-leveled reader’s theater is important and easy to implement in meeting grant and literacy objectives. Participants gain tools to find and create the most beneficial, multi-leveled, role-play reading materials and learn step-by-step strategies for engaging, measurable and successful reading enrichment that both staff and students love!

Presented by: Dianna Cleveland, President and Founder, Playbooks, Inc., Read to Achieve, Roleplay Reader; Jennifer Garris, After School Coordinator, YMCA of Evansville, Indiana
Under One Roof: The New Youth Today Out-of-School

Participants will learn about new Youth Today Out-of-School Time hub, an online, interactive research and resource center for the OST field. They will learn how they can use the hub to access current research and resources as well as professional development opportunities in areas such as language and literacy, youth leadership and quality programs. In addition, participants will learn how they can contribute some of their thoughts, perspectives and practices to the hub, through the Voices from the Field section as well as through commentaries and guest blogs.

Presented by: Sara Hill, Editor, OST Hub, Center for Sustainable Journalism; Leonard Witt, Publisher, Youth Today
Using STEM to Help Kids Eat Better and Move More

Passionate about STEM and wellness? This session will provide you with free and low cost resource ideas, including fun projects such as science energizers and kitchen experiments.

Presented by: Daniel Hatcher, National Out-of-School Time Advisor, Alliance for a Healthier Generation; Lauren Marciszyn, Technical Advisor, YMCA of the USA
Using Technology to Manage Fee-Based Programs

Learn how a web-based management system can increase parent involvement, empower your site staff and streamline your operations. Program directors, site coordinators and staff members can manage billing, payment, registration, scheduling, attendance and parent interaction all from a single system: EZChildTrack.

Presented by: Felix Thomas, President, Thomaskelly Software Associates
Walk, Listen and Learn with the Walking Classroom

Improve the physical, mental and academic health of students with the award-winning Walking Classroom. We will show you how to build students’ academic content knowledge, health literacy and listening stamina while engaging different learning styles, all while getting students some desperately needed fresh air and exercise.

Presented by: Kalie Mitchell, Program Facilitator, The Walking Classroom
When School's Out, Clubs are In

The mission of the Boys and Girls Club is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Research has shown that academic support in primary and middle school years can have a substantial effect on the learning pattern through a youth’s school years. At the Boys and Girls Club, we have structured programs that provide out-of-school learning opportunities that are consistent with the development of skills and attitudes needed for success in school and in the community. Giving kids social and emotional smarts to improve behavior, attendance, and academics success.
Presented by: Lani Lingo, State Director of Education and Specialized Programs, Florida Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs
You Can Impact Positive Outcomes

In this hands-on workshop you will receive research-based, best practices supported by our SAYO tool that your program can adopt to engage youth, build supportive relationships, and re-design your organization’s programming to support positive youth outcomes.

Presented by: Ellen Gannett, Executive Director, National Institute on Out-of-School Time; Kathy Schleyer, Director of Training & Quality Improvement, National Institute on Out-of-School Time
Youth-Led Justice: Policy and Public Safety

This session presents two afterschool programs that engage young people in public safety. Youth Courts train teenagers to handle real-life court cases involving their peers. The Youth Justice Board engages teens in public policymaking. Session participants will receive concrete tools to help implement these programs in their schools and communities.

Presented by: Nicholas Chung, Youth Justice Board Coordinator, Center for Court Innovation; Dory Hack, Director, Youth Justice Capacity Building, Center for Court Innovation