Expanding STEM in Out-of-School Time (OST)
STRATEGIC PLAN 2015-2016
Priority One: PARTNERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Increase number, range and engagement of partners
Strategy 1.1: Sustain, strengthen and expand statewide taskforce of influential cross-partners to lead the Indiana Afterschool STEM Initiative.
Strategy 1.2: Connect and build on existing state STEM system initiatives.
Strategy 1.3: Facilitate opportunities for programs and STEM experts to connect and partner.
Strategy 1.4: Expand and strengthen STEM-focused coalitions in four communities
PRIORITY TWO: COMMUNICATION, POLICY and FUNDING
Increase awareness, funding, and policy impact.
Strategy 2.1: Promote awareness about the value of STEM OST to diverse audiences.
Strategy 2.2: Influence policy to support and expand STEM OST.
Strategy 2.4: Increase public and private funding in Indiana STEM OST programs
PRIORITY THREE: PROGRAM QUALITY AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
There is a coordinated statewide system that advances staff competence and program quality.
Strategy 3.1: Establish Professional Development Committee of the Indiana Afterschool STEM Taskforce to create a coordinated system of STEM OST training and professional development.
Strategy 3.2: Develop a STEM OST online tool kit and clearinghouse of resources.
Strategy 3.3: Coordinate, expand and promote STEM professional development for youth workers, educators, college students, and community partners
Strategy 3.4: Facilitate connections between formal and informal STEM education.
Strategy 3.5: Provide opportunities for recognition for quality programs and staff.
PRIORITY FOUR: DATA COORDINATION AND ASSESSMENT
Expand and coordinate data gathering for quality improvement, policy and fund development.
Strategy 4.1:Expand STEM Taskforce Evaluation Committee to identify outcomes, metrics and collect data related to OST programs, youth workers, and youth.
Strategy 4.2Expand use of the IAN Mapping Database to track STEM program locations, number of programs, and number and ages of youth participants.
Strategy 4.3 Expand use of the Indiana Afterschool STEM Standards, Surveys and Indiana Quality Program Self-Assessment (IN-QPSA) for program quality self-assessment.
Strategy 4.4 Expand use and impact with Harvard’s Dimensions of Success (DoS) STEM observational tool to measure quality of STEM experiences in OST programs. Include youth surveys (Common Instrument) with all observations.
Strategy 4.5 Develop a STEM OST tool-kit of assessment tools and training
Contacts:
Debbie Zipes, President, Indiana Afterschool Network President,
Bob Abrams, Chair, Indiana Afterschool STEM Taskforce,
INDIANA AFTERSCHOOL STEM INITIATIVE 2012-2015
VISION: All Indiana school-age youth (K-12) have access to science, technology, engineering and math experiences in out-of-school time programs that inspire them and prepare them for success in education and careers.
MISSION: Inspire Indiana’s future generation of innovators through science, technology, engineering and math learning experiences in out-of-school time programs.
PRIORITIES:
1. Resource and Partnership Development
2. Communication and Policy
3. Training and Professional Development
4. Data Collection and Evaluation
DEFINITIONS:
1. STEM Education: an intentional, multi-disciplinary approach to teaching and learning, in which students uncover and acquire a cohesive set of concepts, competencies, and dispositions of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that they transfer and apply in both academic and real world contexts in order to be globally competitive in the 21st Century (Indiana Department of Education).
2. Informal STEM Education: science, technology, engineering and math education that takes place beyond traditional school day hours, often in community organizations outside the school building, and includes a focus on hands-on, inquiry-based, experiential learning.
3. Out-of-School Time Programs (OST): OST and the term “afterschool” are often used interchangeably to refer to youth development programming that occurs beyond the traditional school day, including before school, after school, holidays, weekends and summers. OST/afterschool programs are structured and offer a wide range of learning and enrichment activities that promote the academic, physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development of youth from kindergarten through high school.
1