Afterschool Professionals have a lot going on, and we want to help! One way we know how to help is by coming up with activities. And so, welcome to The Launchpad, a quarterly curation of curriculum perfect for afterschool programs. These activities will vary by content areas, lengths, difficulties, and ages. If find out when new Launchpads are available, sign up for our newsletter!
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We hope these activities make life a little easier and provide some support to all of the wonderful and critical work you do. If you have any feedback or suggestions for what to include in the newsletter, please let us know!
STEM Activity Bundles: Learning Journeys (with stipends!)
Grades 3–9
From: STEM NEXT
Looking for an easy way to bring engaging, hands-on STEM learning to your afterschool program? Afterschool educators can now access free STEM Learning Journeys designed specifically for out-of-school-time settings—plus an opportunity to earn a stipend of up to $1,500. Developed by STEM Next in partnership with Verizon™, these bundles of lessons and activities help afterschool educators engage youth in hands-on STEM learning with topics including AI, sustainability, space, and engineering. Programs that complete the Nature & Sustainability Learning Journey can qualify for a stipend based on youth participation.
Board Game List
All Ages
From: Heather Moore, LEAPS Project Director at Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union
Click here to download the list.
- What do kids learn playing strategy games?
- To develop their critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills
- To detect patterns in game play and use logical reasoning
- To plan out their moves based on what they think their opponent might do
- To consider and weigh many outcomes as they think about their best possible move
- To consider and adjust their approach when it doesn’t work
Introduction
How well do you wash your hands? Do you just give them a quick rinse with water, or do you use soap? Do you wash the backs of your hands and in between your fingers? Good hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs and diseases like the flu and common cold. Try this activity to find out if there are hard-to-wash parts of your hands where germs might be hiding!
Materials
- Sink
- Washable paint
- Soap
- Hand towel
Instructions
- Cover both of your hands in paint, as if you were using hand lotion. Make sure to cover the backs of your hands, in between your fingers, and around your fingernails.
- Hold your hands out and let the paint dry for 3-4 minutes.
- Rinse your hands briefly with just warm water. How much paint is left on your hands?
- Rub your hands together briefly under running water. How much paint is left on your hands now?
- Use some soap, and count to 5 while washing your hands. Now how much paint is left?
- Continue to use soap, and wash your hands for another 15 seconds. Examine your hands.
Are certain parts of your hands cleaner than others? Where is there still paint left on your hands? What can you do to improve your hand washing?
What Happened?
You probably found that rinsing, or even scrubbing, your hands with only water did a poor job of removing the paint. Soap helps break up the paint and other dirt on your hands, making it easier to remove, along with germs (bacteria and viruses). But even with soap, you have to do a good job washing your hands to remove all the paint. This includes washing them for more than just a few seconds, and getting into all the nooks and crannies where the paint (and germs) can hide.
*Click here for another germ activity that is a little more advanced and uses more material.
Community Building Activity: Respecting Others
Grades K-2
From: Mizzen Education
Click here to download the Activity (creating an account is simple and free).
Rain Icebreaker
All Ages
- Starting at the front of the room have everyone in the front row rub their hands together vigorously.
- Once they get started, have the second row begin rubbing their hands together as well.
- As each row continues, have each successive row begin, one at a time until you reach the back row.
- Now, go back to the front row and have them stop rubbing their palms and start snapping their fingers.
- Again, have each consecutive row switch from rubbing to snapping.
- Once you reach the back, go back to the front and have them begin slapping their knees.
- After reaching the back row with slapping, go back to the front and have them resume snapping their fingers, again working your way to the back.
- Once again, back to the front and have each row switch back to rubbing their palms.
- Finally, tell the front row stop and one at a time have each row stop.
- End with saying, “We’ve just had a wonderful little rain shower in here so now go take a break. (or let’s get back to work – whichever is appropriate.)
We hope these activities will make life a little easier and provide some support to all of the wonderful work you do. Please let me know if you have any feedback or suggestions about this newsletter – want more activities, want more specific content, want less, etc. This is meant to support YOU and help you provide youth with engaging activities, so please let us know how we can help!
