National Conference on Science and Technology in Out-of-School Time
Breakout Sessions and Workshops

Summary:
This is a working conference, designed to share best practices, guide the replication of these practices, and form partnerships to grow the field.  The majority of breakout sessions will feature multiple projects bound by a common topic.  The conference organizers will select presenters based on leadership in the field, impact of the projects represented, and interest in replication.  Session leaders will be selected based on willingness to organize presentations and ability to capture relevant findings from the discussion. 

Criteria:
All breakout sessions should be consistent with the CSAS and Project Exploration missions:

The Coalition for Science After School envisions the day when young people from all backgrounds have access to high quality science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning experiences during out of school hours.

Project Exploration is dedicated to making science accessible to the public, especially minority youth and girls, through personalized experiences with science and scientists.

Furthermore, sessions should use these six driving principles, which underlie the work of the Coalition:

• After-school STEM incorporates up-to-date science content, scientific processes, and tools; and emphasizes the centrality of STEM learning to the acquisition of essential 21st century skills.
• Equity is a driving force, and representation by all groups is a priority for all projects. As much as possible, materials and programs are multilingual, culturally sensitive, and accessible to persons with disabilities.
• New efforts build on existing materials, models, and research in science education, learning and cognition, and youth development. Individual efforts contribute to a growing literature base to promote sharing and understanding of promising practices.
• Community involvement and roles for parents and families are included from the outset of projects and initiatives.
• Professional development honors the knowledge and commitment of the after-school workforce, and creates paths for advancement of individuals as it raises the quality of the field.
• Project evaluations draw from a framework with an accepted, common set of outcomes. These outcomes reflect the broad goals of the fields as well as research on optimal roles for after-school STEM.

Topics:
Breakout sessions will be organized into topics based on the priorities outlined in the Coalition’s guiding document, Science in After-School: A Blueprint for Action. Some example topics are listed here, but interested presenters may suggest additional topic ideas to Jason Freeman, , by June 16:

• Programs, curricula, and activities
• • Connecting media with community-based organizations
  • Developing and disseminating national and system-wide program models
  • Mentoring through science
  • Using service learning to engage youth in STEM
  • Working with older youth
  • Working with scientists and offering authentic science experiences
• Staff Development
• • Developing and disseminating national and system-wide program models
  • Preparing youth workers as STEM instructors
• Assessment and Evaluation
• • Building on evidence to recruit and retain students to science
  • Evaluating programs that target both youth development and STEM learning goals
  • Identifying and developing effective assessment tools
  • Recognizing the opportunities and challenges of out of school time settings
• Infrastructure and systemic change
• • Building museum/community partnerships
  • Creating or expanding advocacy campaigns
  • Developing and disseminating national and system-wide program models
  • Increasing funding opportunities
  • Leveraging relationships with funders

How to become a presenter:
If you are involved in a relevant project, we invite you to be part of the breakout sessions.  To help us select breakout session leaders, please do the following:

1. Review the criteria above.
2. Submit your project to the CSAS Database:
   1. Go to www.scienceafterschool.org and click on After-school Science Database at the top.
   2. Follow the steps to submit your project. (You may want to review the full submission form and gather the relevant information about your program.)  You can submit projects, publications, or partnerships, depending which is most appropriate to your work. 
   3. Before you complete the submission process, check the box that says, “Consider this Project” at the bottom of the last page.
3. If you are interested in leading a session on a particular topic, contact Jason Freeman, , after you have submitted your project to the database.  If you are interested in partnering with another organization or project, please let Jason know that as well.

Additional information for presenters:
Presenters should register for the conference and expect to provide for their own travel expenses.  (In some cases, session sponsorships may provide for presenter expenses, but conference organizers will notify presenters about these opportunities as they become available.)

A/V equipment, including LCD projectors, will be available on a limited basis.  Conference organizers will make arrangements with session presenters to provide equipment as needed. 

Submissions should be complete by June 16, 2008.  Sessions will be announced by July 3, 2008.

Deadline for submission is June 16, 2008.

Notifications will be announced July 3, 2008