It's Moonshot Monday!

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Subject: It's Moonshot Monday!

Learn Fresh/NBA Math Hoops

Learn Fresh, a recent exhibitor at the VPOST annual conference, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing innovative STEM learning experiences that empower educators and inspire students. Through community, play, and rigorous exploration, they leverage students' passion for sports and entertainment to inspire their STEM learning and foster essential life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and leadership. Programs are explicitly focused on students living in low-income communities. Learn Fresh believes all students deserve a quality and engaging education. More than one million students have engaged in their programming.

A premier program of Learn Fresh is NBA Math Hoops. It leverages the game of basketball and the NBA/WNBA brands to build fundamental math skills through a physical and digital basketball-themed board game, a curriculum, and a community program experience. Designed for students in grades 4-8, this free program is a perfect addition to out-of-school time programs, as it develops students’ algebra readiness prior to entering high school, while strengthening important skills including self-regulation and executive function.

For more information about NBA Math Hoops or to sign up for a training, please click HERE.

Get Ready for World Space Week Oct. 6-10 with a STEM Next Toolkit and Activity Bundle!

As an official partner of the World Space Week Association, STEM Next is excited to share a new collection of activities and resources to help out-of-school-time programs explore Earth and space during World Space Week: October 6-10.

World Space Week is the perfect opportunity to spark kids’ curiosity with the wonders of the cosmos while showing them how innovations in science, biotechnology, and engineering are making space exploration possible. STEM Next’s World Space Week Toolkit provides afterschool educators with engaging, hands-on activities and resources that connect youth to a wide range of STEM careers, from astronaut health and moon colony design to rockets and real-world space trades.

The toolkit also features an all-new Keeping the Beat Activity Bundle, a set of three activity sessions developed by STEM Next that aligns with our new Career-Connected Learning Framework. In each activity, youth apply science and engineering practices, use math to identify patterns, and learn about careers that support astronaut health and fitness.

Programs can access and begin using all of these free STEM learning resources by clicking HERE.

Role Model Strategies: Encouraging Youth to Consider STEM Careers

This guide aims to change how youth think about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Using gender equitable practices in STEM education, Twin Cities PBS has produced the SciGirls television series, online resources, and hands-on activities to address this goal.

Why are role models important? Sharing your lived experiences (your background, hobbies, and career goals) with youth can motivate them to pursue a career in STEM. Research shows that these strategies work towards breaking stereotypes. Seeing the variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of STEM professionals can help inspire and motivate youth who might not otherwise “see” themselves in STEM. This booklet offers basic training for role models, introducing you to best practices for your volunteer efforts and answering questions you might have.

Spooky Mad Scientist

This high-energy, Halloween-themed science festival is expected to bring together 2,500+ attendees for an afternoon of hands on discovery, creativity, and fun. Most importantly, it provides a joyful and inspiring experience for students from under-resourced schools, and many of whom don't have access to strong science programs.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 18, 2025! 3-7 PM, Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304

This free community event will feature 100+ STEAM stations led by universities, nonprofits, federal and local agencies & teen STEM teams, STEM-inspired costume parade, Teen-led Science Cafe & Podcast studio, TEAM Legends Time Machine, Sky Dome planetarium, Food trucks & DJ, Kids innovative music performance with Alexandria Sympatico Orchestra, Star Wars volunteer Squads, and more!

Interested in joining? Fill out this form to connect with Chrysalis Development Group.

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Subject: It's Moonshot Monday!