INNOVATIONS IN LEARNING
THE WYOMING AFTERSCHOOL ALLIANCE IS PROUD TO BE A CHANGEMAKER IN THE STATE, ENCOURAGING COMMUNITIES TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE STEM PROGRAMMING.
College and career readiness for all children and youth is the standard for high-quality afterschool programs. Afterschool fosters opportunities that help produce educated, skilled, and successful citizens.
The Wyoming Afterschool Alliance is the recipient of a two-year grant, “Innovations in Learning”, from the C.S. Mott Foundation. It will increase career readiness and education for middle and high school students utilizing afterschool and summer learning programs. The following best-practice and evidence-based curriculum show an increased interest in STEM exploration and career awareness, with improved skills in problem solving, critical thinking, self-direction and collaboration.
STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
STEM education is vital for preparing Wyoming’s children and youth to thrive in the future economy. The Wyoming Afterschool Alliance is proud to be a changemaker. We’re encouraging communities to build sustainable programming. Programs that have been carefully curated to accomplish this goal are being implemented in afterschool programs around the state.
Invention Project: The Invention Project is designed to provide a turn-key experience with the perfect balance of STEM content and entrepreneurial concepts allowing participants’ creativity to flourish. Visit https://www.invent.org/programs/invention-project.
Junior Achievement: Junior Achievement is one of the nation’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. Visit https://www.juniorachievement.org/web/ja-usa/home.
Virtual Job Shadow: VirtualJobShadow.com empowers individuals to discover, plan and pursue their dreams with our unique video-based career planning platform. The interactive tools help students and job seekers develop career paths based on choice, not chance. Visit https://www.virtualjobshadow.com/.
Virtual Job Shadow is fun and engaging way to explore career options in afterschool and out-of-school time programs, it’s also useful in other career exploration arenas. WYAA would like to recognize Greg Ronco, Project Coordinator for Pre-Employment Transition Services with Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, for sharing his expertise and working to build a learning community around VJS in Wyoming! Download three presentations
Project Lead the Way Pilot Program
Seven pilot programs are working with WYAA on a project to develop sustainable STEM programming in Wyoming:
- Cohort 1: After School for Kids (ASK) Cheyenne
- Cohort 1: Converse County School District #1 in Douglas
- Cohort 1: Greater Wyoming Big Brothers Big Sisters in Laramie
- Cohort 1: Lander Lights On
- Cohort 1: Uinta B.O.C.E.S. #1 Education Center in Evanston
- Cohort 2: The Practice After School Program- Goshen County
- Cohort 2: Youth Clubs of Park County
These programs are implementing the high-quality STEM curriculum, Project Lead the Way (PLTW). Because sustainability is vital to success, each of these programs has committed to having a PLTW Lead Teacher on staff that is certified to train their colleagues. A comprehensive STEM library from First Book is also being used to inspire and engage students through storytelling. This project was supported by the John P. Ellbogen Foundation.
Mission: We bridge the gap between Wyoming’s out-of-school programs and the communities they uplift, fueling them with resources, support and opportunities that inspire lifelong learning, growth and connection.
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