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Informal Learning Resources
- NGCP Archived Webcast
Effective Strategies for Working with Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
http://learningtimes.mmalliance.acrobat.com/p29038063/
Join Sarita Nair-Pillai (Education Development Center), Jill Denner (Girl Game Company) and Zakiyyah Kareem (Girlstart) to learn what research and practice tell us about high-quality informal learning programs for girls in STEM. - Design and Discovery
http://www.intel.com/education/design/
The Design and Discovery program is a print curriculum with supporting resources available for download at the Intel® Innovation in Education Web site at no cost. The curriculum invites 11 to 15-year-olds to explore engineering by engaging in hands-on design activities. It provides an environment where science and engineering concepts and skills are applied in ways that make them meaningful to students. The curriculum takes students through a series of activities, building their understanding in a sequential way, as they identify and design solutions to problems significant in their own lives. The design activities require students to develop concepts and principles from real encounters with their own world.
Design and Discovery is an inquiry-based, hands-on design and engineering curriculum intended to encourage and enhance middle school girls' and boys' experiences in design, engineering, and technology. The program was originally intended for girls and developed based on gender research that shows how girls learn best. However, the research focusing on the learning environments that encourage girls' curiosity and interest in these fields also supports all students.
Grade Level: 7-10
Cost: Free
Format: Downloadable print curriculum and supporting files, videos
Setting: Summer camp or after school program - Techbridge
http://www.techbridgegirls.org
Techbridge is an after-school and summer program designed to encourage girls in technology, science, and engineering. Originally funded by the National Science Foundation, Techbridge has reached over 2000 girls since its founding in 2000 through after-school programs and summer programs, which incorporate hands-on projects, career exploration activities, and academic and career guidance. The program continues to build on its successes through expansion to new schools and partnerships. Ongoing evaluations play a vital part in continually improving and refining the program at each of Techbridge's program sites.
http://www.techbridgegirls.org/role_models.asp
Techbridge offers a downloadable resource for effective outreach by role models and corporations. Curriculum resources are available for purchase and Techbridge hosts an annual training.
Grade Level: K-12
Cost: some free resources available, curriculum available for a nominal charge, training offered for a fee
Format: Downloadable guides/reports and print curriculum
Setting: after school or classroom - Wonderwise
http://wonderwise.unl.edu/
Developed by the University of Nebraska State Museum and Nebraska 4-H Youth Development with funding from the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Wonderwise series of learning kits features contemporary women scientists as positive role models. Scientists are featured in their labs, out in the field, and with their families. Each kit contains: a 15-20 minute "virtual field trip" video profiling the scientist and her work; an interactive CD-ROM containing a biography of the scientist and downloadable and printable versions of the activity sheets in English and Spanish; and five hands-on, inquiry-based science activities related to the scientist's field of study, with assessment materials and links to National Science Education Standards.
Grade Level: 3-7
Cost: Activity books downloaded for free, Kits are $39.95 plus shipping.
Format: Web activities for kids, downloadable activity books and CD-ROM Kit.
Setting: After school clubs/groups - After-School Science PLUS
http://www.edequity.org/afterschool_materials.php
Developed by Educational Equity Concepts, Inc. with funding from the National Science Foundation Program for Gender Equity and a variety of local New York City funding partners, After-School Science PLUS (AS+) includes eleven core activities that focus on inquiry-based science and literacy-through-science. It uses simple materials that are low-cost or free, readily available, and culturally relevant, e.g. recyclables, cooking oil, corn starch, beans, etc. AS+ has a strong equity focus and provides positive role models of female and male scientists from diverse racial/ethnic groups. An Activity Guide explains the activities, including step-by-step activity instructions, role model materials, family involvement letters in English and Spanish, and science/literacy resources. A Planning Guide provides information about how to implement the program, including staff development, family outreach materials, and sample lesson plans.
Grade Levels: 1-9
Cost: AS+ Program and Activity Guide, $49.95 (additional available for $29.95)
Format: Printed books
Setting: Appropriate for all after school settings, with coed or single-sex groups - Girls at the Center
http://www.fi.edu/gac/
Developed by the Franklin Institute Science Museum in collaboration with Girl Scouts of the USA, with funding from the National Science Foundation, the key features of Girls at the Center (GAC) are community and museum-based workshops that foster active science investigation, at-home science activities and special family events. GAC provides unique opportunities for girls to learn and practice problem-solving, independent thinking and leadership. The program is built around six basic standards-based science themes: communication, energy, habitats, structures, the science of sports, and water. For each theme, there are two workshops, one for girls ages 6-10, one for girls ages 9-14. GAC Packs, which are available on the Web in Spanish and English, provide activities on the same topics so that girls and their adult partners may extend the workshop explorations at home. Thematic "tabletop" activities are also provided for more informal needs. A Guidebook contains all the resources needed to conduct a successful GAC program: ideas for introducing GAC, directions for recruiting participants, complete instructions for implementing each theme unit workshop, samples of GAC Pack cards, and reproducible handouts in Spanish and English. Everyday materials are used for most activities. In addition to providing information on building a successful GAC program, the Guidebook includes a section on training for workshop facilitators.
Grade Level: 1-9, 6-14 years old
Cost: GAC Guidebook can be ordered online for $23.95, fee-for-service training is available. Low or no-cost trainings are often offered to affiliates of Girl Scouts of the USA.
Format: printed books and downloadable GAC-packs in English & Spanish
Setting: Appropriate for after school and museum settings with girls in collaboration with adult partners, or with younger and older girls working together
