NJSACC’s FULL STEAM AHEAD 2023

In-person on March 25 & virtual workshops throughout March

Just in time for STEM month in March, NJSACC’s Full STEAM Ahead conference is back with both in-person and virtual options to explore ways to make STEAM engaging for both staff to deliver and for kids to explore.

There are two options this year:

Option 1: Full Package $55/participant - Includes 2 virtual, evening trainings (3/14 & 3/21) and a full day in person (3/25)

VIRTUAL - Tuesday, March 14, 6:30-7:30PM via zoom

STEM Journeys: Exploring Diverse Career Pathways into STEM

Exploration of STEM careers and pathways is a key strategy to encourage youth participation in STEM opportunities, especially for girls and other youth who have been historically excluded from STEM. Learn strategies and gain high quality resources for effectively engaging youth in career exploration and tips on how to make connections to STEM professionals locally as examples and mentors.

VIRTUAL - Tuesday, March 21, 6:30-8:00pm, via zoom

Developing an Engineering Mindset in Youth

To create a generation of innovative problem solvers that will shape their world, school age youth need to engage in activities that promote the development of an engineering mindset - the values, attitudes, and thinking skills associated with engineering. This interactive session highlights ten practices that help youth develop and strengthen an engineering mindset and shares strategies for creating environments that are inclusive and inviting for all learners.

IN-PERSON - Saturday, March 25, 9:15am-2:30 pm at NJSACC’s home base in Westfield 9:15m-2:30pm. Each participant will attend all three sessions.

SCIENCE & ART: Create Moving Sculptures with Kids 1.5 hours

Looking for ways to engage youth who don’t love science? Moving sculptures are a great way to capture imagination and creativity while sneaking some science in too. Participants in this hands-on session will make a sample automata to take home and learn techniques to bring this type of activity back to their programs. 

Exploring Nature with Kids in All Types of NJ Communities 1.5 hours

Whether your out-of-school time (OST) home base is mostly concrete & pavement, indoors, or outdoors where its leafy & green, there’s so many creative ways to explore nature with kids. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll share some ideas, tips, & tricks towards exploring nature wherever your program is located.

Fabulous & FREE STEM Resources & Tools 45 minutes

There’s so many great STEM resources and tools out there! In this active and engaging session, we’ll highlight where to look for some of the best and how to best use them with school age kids.

Option 2: Virtual Workshops ONLY $15/participant per workshop - You may select either 1 or both virtual, evening trainings (3/14 & 3/21)

VIRTUAL - Tuesday, March 14, 6:30-7:30PM via zoom

STEM Journeys: Exploring Diverse Career Pathways into STEM

Exploration of STEM careers and pathways is a key strategy to encourage youth participation in STEM opportunities, especially for girls and other youth who have been historically excluded from STEM. Learn strategies and gain high quality resources for effectively engaging youth in career exploration and tips on how to make connections to STEM professionals locally as examples and mentors.

VIRTUAL - Tuesday, March 21, 6:30-8:00pm, via zoom

Developing an Engineering Mindset in Youth

To create a generation of innovative problem solvers that will shape their world, school age youth need to engage in activities that promote the development of an engineering mindset - the values, attitudes, and thinking skills associated with engineering. This interactive session highlights ten practices that help youth develop and strengthen an engineering mindset and shares strategies for creating environments that are inclusive and inviting for all learners.