by Jessie Rymph, Web Communications and Database Specialist

FEAR: The National Security Administration recently stated that we don't have enough students in the pipeline to compete with other countries in the future. In other words, their spies are going to out-spy us. Behind every suave James Bond-type are a heck-uva lot of mathmatics code-breakers and gadget guys. Let's make sure we have enough of those guys (and gals) on our side.

NATIONAL PRIDE: (see FEAR) You also love your country and are saddened by how poorly our kids are performing compared to other countries. It's bad.

COMPETITION: (see FEAR, FIT IN) In the 60s, we were trying to get to the moon before the Soviets. As a country our goals and enemies are more vague now, so it's up to you to come up with who you would be competing against. But I know you can kick their butt.

FITTING IN: Have you heard of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math)? Omg, you haven't heard about STEM? It's, like, what everyone in the afterschool world is talking about. You should totally start offering STEM in your program, and you'll look really cutting edge. There's also a lot of funding out there, so you might be better poised for grants!

MONEY: You want these kids to grow up and not have to worry about money. If you spark an interest in science and math for them, they are more likely to continue on college and a higher paying job. 

LOVE: (see MONEY) You want what's best for the youth in your program. You want them to explore learning for the pure love it. You would love to open their eyes to new ways of seeing the world, to explorations and questions and excitement and joy!

CHALLENGE: Make science and math fun for K-8? Get them to enjoy it afterschool? That sounds tough, but you can do it. Challenge yourself. 

Whatever your motivations are, the kids will be interested if it's fun.  Please join us for Friday's workshop!

Youth Program Quality Inititave

All regions of the Washington Regional Afterschool Project (WRAP) are implementing the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality’s Program Quality Intervention (PQI). Although the assessment component of this process required organizations to apply ahead of time,  some of  the Youth Work Methods workshops are open to the public. Please contact the WRAP specialistin your region to learn if you may attend.

These interactive and hands-on courses provide participants with practical skills that are geared to improve the quality of interactions with youth.

Use the chart below to decide which workshops you are interested in. Which region are you in? Click on the date to learn more and register. 

Workshop Description: Click on the title of the worksop to see a sample from the guidebook. To learn more about the Youth Work Methods series, click here to watch an interactive video.

• Active Learning (Y/SA: II-H) – Do you know the difference between active learning and “hands-on” learning?  Giving youth materials is just the beginning.  This interactive workshop introduces the “ingredients” of active learning, explains the role that active learning plays in the experiential learning cycle, and helps participants create more powerful learning opportunities for youth.
•  Ask-Listen-Encourage (Y/SA: II-J) – Do you communicate with youth in a way that makes them feel supported and heard?  This interactive workshop introduces various communication techniques that help you build more supportive, youth-centered relationships.  Participants will learn how to ask more effective questions, to listen actively to youth, and offer youth encouragement rather than praise.      
• Building Community (Y: III-L, SA: III-M) – Do you know what it takes to build an emotionally and physically safe space for youth?  Building an emotionally safe community of peers and adults is essential for youth to learn and develop as individuals.  This interactive workshop will introduce participants to a variety of activities designed to support the community building process.
•  Cooperative Learning (Y: III-M, SA: III-O) – Do the youth in your program have opportunities to work together in groups, teaching and learning from each other?  Cooperative learning is an excellent way to nurture youth leadership, build community, and keep things fun.  This interactive workshop will equip participants with grouping strategies and ways to think about building cooperative learning into any program offering.
• Planning and Reflection (Y: IV-P, IV-R, SA: IV-Q, IV-T) – Are you engaging youth in the critical life skills of planning and reflection?  Are you ready to be more intentional about including planning and reflection strategies into your daily routine and activities but not sure where to start?  This interactive workshop will introduce participants to powerful and easy to use methods that promote youth engagement in planning, implementing, and evaluating activities and projects.  
• Youth Voice (Y: V-C, V-D, III-N, SA: III-O, IV-S) – Are you providing young people with authentic, meaningful choices throughout your program?  Does your program reflect the input of the youth involved?  Research shows that quality programs incorporate youth input at both activity and organizational levels.  This workshop will emphasize the importance of offering real choices and meaningful participation to youth, and nurturing youth leadership.  This interactive workshop is focused on providing meaningful choice within activities and opportunities for youth input within the youth program itself.

(The text in this blog, except that describing SOWA or WRAP, comes directly from the Weikart Center's website).