Afterschool Networks: The Mott Foundation and National Geographic are pleased to share new free resources for afterschool programs to provide engaging learning opportunities for youth. We appreciate your help in disseminating these materials to as many afterschool programs as possible. Track your outreach here!

Here are the tools; if you need something else, just ask! Terri at ferinde@collaborativecommunications.com; 202-271-8651

• Email and Social media toolkit
• About GeoChallenge
  • Flyer Download About GeoChallenge (Contact Collaborative if you need help printing; Note: you can add your network logo in the bottom right corner on the back!)
  • One-pager with the Geo Challenge Explorer's Code
  • Promotional Video Download or online here
• About Explorer Classroom
  • Social Media Images here
  • Flyer Download about Explorer Classroom
  • Promotional Video Download
• PPT Slides (coming soon)

All downloadable files can be found in this folder.

Background:

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is pleased to partner with National Geographic to provide afterschool programs with free and exciting resources to spark curiosity and help young people gain foundational skills, like teamwork, communications, and critical thinking that prepare them for the jobs of the future.

Over the next several months, we’ll roll out many learning opportunities for young people and afterschool educators. We know that real-world applications of critical thinking and STEM skills helps to engage students, particularly girls. In October 2018, we hope you will help us share two exciting opportunities with afterschool programs in your state:

• For programs in the Eastern time zone: During Lights On Afterschool week, invite your programs to engage with a real explorer during the National Geographic Explorer Classroom! This is a way to have youth connect what they are learning in STEM to careers and role models.

On Tuesday, October 23 at 3:15pm - 4:15pm Eastern Time, afterschool programs will have the opportunity to engage with the team on the Exploration Vessel Nautilus. Learn how they explore the ocean depths and ask how they discovered the Titanic! It’s called Explorer Classroom: #LightsOnAfterschool Special! and it’s free. More Information and a video on how it works here.

• Take on the GeoChallenge where young people have the opportunity to be changemakers in their communities and across the nation. For this national competition, teams of young people investigate and create real-world solutions for the urgent issue of plastic pollution in our waterways. There’s a program guide and lots of activities to engage and inform kids. Submit solutions by January 15th for the national competition. Register today for great resources.

Please help us, help you! Let us know that you are disseminating the information. Here’s a tracker; please enter your network and the reach of your distribution (email, social media, conferences). There’s also a place for questions and supports needed.