Vermont Afterschool is proud to be part of the Million Girls Moonshot initiative, working to inspire and prepare the next generation of innovators by engaging one million more girls in STEM learning opportunities through OST programs over the next five years. The Million Girls Moonshot is an initiative of the STEM Next Opportunity Fund. The Million Girls Moonshot seeks to re-imagine who can engineer, who can build, who can make. See below for some information and resources that can help advance this goal!

If you are using these resources please fill out this quick survey so Vermont Afterschool can see how these resources are being distributed. Thank you! 

November is a busy month! November 8th is National STEM Day – let’s make it a blast! Check out this month’s resources and assets. And all month long, we honor the contributions of Indigenous peoples past and present to STEM during #NativeAmericanHeritage Month. 

Techbridge Girls Equity Cohort

Research tells us that responsive learning environments can make all the difference in girls’ sustained interest in STEM. To that end, the STEM Equity Learning Community intensive training was created to equip OST program managers and site directors so that more equitable learning spaces are available for girls, especially Black, Indigenous, and Latina girls, across the US. Through the STEM Equity Learning Community, participants will:

• Explore how to use asset-based frameworks and practices to create inclusive OST STEM spaces for all youth.
• Experience culturally relevant and gender-responsive strategies that increase STEM belonging and persistence for all youth.
• Develop STEM equity action steps for their OST program.

The 2-hour, virtual STEM Equity Learning Community sessions are scheduled from January to May on the second Wednesday of each month at 1 PM EST. Each participant will receive a $1500 stipend to participate. Click here to apply by December 1st. 

Register to attend an informational webinar November 9th at 1 PM EST.

Resources for #NativeAmericanHeritage Month

This #NativeAmericanHeritage Month, meet If/THEN Ambassador Ahna Skop, a geneticist, artist, science communicator, and champion for the underrepresented in science. She studies how cells divide, knowing that failures lead to cancer and neurodegeneration.

Anha Skop, #NativeAmerican scientist, shares with us how a day is on the job of a geneticist. Visit the If/THEN Collection to learn how she uses her art skills to visually communicate science.

Nicole Mann from the Wailacki tribe of the Round Valley Indian Tribes became the first Native American woman in space and hopes her experience will inspire indigenous youth to shoot for the stars.