Come ready to PLAY in the “Just Play 2.0” workshop. If you joined us last year, COME AGAIN (new games and activities will keep you engaged). If you’re new to the conference and/or didn’t play last year, WE WELCOME YOU (so much fun can be had in a short time). Plan on magic words, hilarious… Read more »
Theme: Curriculum and Learning Environment
Oceans Explorations
Dive in to some great ocean explorations sure to inspire you to bring this world to the youth in your programs. From tidal pool adaptations to the deepest parts of the ocean, learn about this curriculum developed from free resources offered by the New England Aquarium. Age of youth served: grades K-5.
Taking Maker Activities to the Next Level
This workshop will assume that participants already have experience making, tinkering, and engineering with their students and are looking to go to the next level. Do you want to create a weekly afterschool maker club? Are you thinking about designing a STEM summer camp? Participants will try hands-on activities as a catalyst for discussions on… Read more »
Create an Environment for Tinkering and Engineering
Explore how the “maker movement” is expanding both school and afterschool enrichment. This workshop will emphasize important start-up considerations of access, high and low tech projects, linking to the school day, and creating a safe space and culture for tinkering. Participants will leave with lots of ideas to apply to their own learning environments. Age… Read more »
Let’s Get Creative: Improvisational Theater Games and Social Emotional Learning
Get ready to get going, grow, glow, gasp, growl, giggle & grin! It’s no secret that improv has been utilized for decades as a method of encouraging creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication. We will show you how it can be used as a disguised tool for SEL! Learn how to lead simple improvisational theatre games… Read more »
Nature Games & Activities
Children love to play outside and explore nature. These hands-on activities will guide participants on a journey of exploration, education and imagination through our natural environment. Participants will learn 2-3 new outdoor activities that can be used in an afterschool program and also understand how to connect youth to nature. Be prepared to get dirty… Read more »
Inclusive Arts: Open Studio
In this workshop, afterschool professionals are invited to experience the joy in making art together. Time will be shared between direct art-making experiences and reflection on topics including accessible, non-toxic art materials, setting up spaces to facilitate art making while minimizing mess, including everyone in the art making process, and keeping art making spaces safe… Read more »
Inclusive Arts: Open Studio
In this workshop, afterschool professionals are invited to experience the joy in making art together. Time will be shared between direct art-making experiences and reflection on topics including accessible, non-toxic art materials, setting up spaces to facilitate art making while minimizing mess, including everyone in the art making process, and keeping art making spaces safe… Read more »
Destination Imagination: Thinking Outside The Box
This is a hands-on workshop that introduces participants to Destination Imagination. Participants will learn divergent thinking and have a unique opportunity to participate in challenging and motivating activities. They will develop their creative skills through problem solving and independent thinking. Participants should come prepared to be actively involved with working on solutions to some Instant… Read more »
Destination Imagination: Thinking Outside the Box
This is a hands-on workshop that introduces participants to Destination Imagination. Participants will learn divergent thinking and have a unique opportunity to participate in challenging and motivating activities. They will develop their creative skills through problem solving and independent thinking. Participants should come prepared to be actively involved with working on solutions to some Instant… Read more »
