Archives:

Select:

Structuring for scale-up success: Partnerships first

READ FULL STORY

Structuring for scale-up success: Partnerships first

By Meeta Sharma-Holt, vice president of programs and strategic partnerships at Techbridge Girls. This is the second in a four-blog series: read the first blog, Structuring for scale-up success: Techbridge Girls shares lessons from its 5-year scale-up of STEM programs.

During the last five years, Techbridge Girls’ programs have expanded to serve 10,500 girls because of crucial partnerships with school districts and school administrators in new communities with whom we share a common goal. Like Techbridge Girls, our school partners recognize that opportunities for students from low-income communities to realize their potential as professionals and gain economic leverage will come increasingly from the STEM fields as the 21st century progresses.

In seeking partnerships with specific schools to host our programs, TBG has prioritized identifying diverse schools with a supportive principal and a commitment to STEM education. We exclusively embedded our programs in Title 1-eligible schools to reach girls in the lowest-income communities.

We employed different strategies to form our school partnerships in various regions.  In the Greater Seattle area, for example, we partnered with the Highline Public Schools, planning out school partnerships with the district, who helped contact the schools to be involved. In the Washington D.C. area, our regional leadership individually identified partner schoolschools for us to partner with. We also ensured representation ofthat our programming would serve both public and public charter schools, to reflect the landscape of the school system. Having the longest standing relationships with schools in the Oakland Unified School system in Oakland, Calif., we made the difficult decision to leave some schools when they lost their Title 1 status. We also created new partnerships in each geographic region to institute feeder patterns of schools so that we could serve girls from elementary through high school.

In selecting schools to partner with, we also paid careful attention to how motivated the individual principals of each school were, and whether their vision for their students aligned with our core mission.

One principal exemplified this spirit by sharing, "We should really be preparing our kids here for those tech jobs. There's Boeing here and Microsoft. We're really doing a disservice to our kids if we're not preparing them for that and especially in a high poverty school that's so diverse. I think often our kids don't have access to learning about those types of careers or even think that think possible for them. Our core value here is around equity and closing opportunity gaps, and this is a huge gap. Especially for girls of color, to really see themselves represented in the science and tech industry and then think, 'Oh, I can do that,' is so important and powerful."

Principals also played a critical role in identifying the best partner teachers. They identified educators within their schools who had:

  • positive relationships with students,
  • pedagogical approaches aligned with youth development principles,
  • strong classroom management skills, and
  • knowledge about or interest in STEM. (NOTE: teachers' expertise included science, math, English, and the arts.)

In our original program model, our staff delivered the weekly Techbridge session alongside a partner teacher recruited from each school. These teachers helped our instructors understand the culture of the school, helped recruit girls, conducted outreach to families, and generally acted as liaisons to other teachers and the broader school culture. Partner teachers were vital to maintaining our presence in the school, being accepted by the girls, and sustaining support for our programs when school principals transitioned.

Training and relationship-building led by our staff also played a significant role in engaging educators in our afterschool programs. Evaluation results for partner teachers consistently showed that the support provided by Techbridge staff, such as hands-on training and regular debriefs, were crucial for teachers' co-delivery of the program.

We also cultivated partnerships with local STEM workplaces, which provided career exploration field trips for girls and an avenue for recruiting women to serve as role models in our afterschool programs. In each geographic region, we participated in local STEM networks and took advantage of opportunities to share our evaluation findings and lessons learned. These partners helped us sustain credibility in each region and align our programming to the unique needs of local girls and demographic trends.

We similarly maintained a presence with national STEM networks, such as the National Center for Women in Technology, STEMNext, STEMconnector/Million Women Mentors, and the National Girls Collaborative. The Afterschool Alliance also served as an important partner who enabled our presence at the national policy level with other national youth-serving organizations.

Keeping pace with the changing landscape of STEM providers and policies has strongly informed our strategic decisions on how to scale to new geographic regions and adapt our program models.

January resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Happy New Year! January is National Mentoring Month - a national celebration of the role models and mentors that have made monumental differences in the lives of so many. Listed as one of Moonshot’s four transformative practices, role models and mentors play a significant role in showing...

BY: Tierra Easter      01/26/23

December resources from Million Girls Moonshot

This month, millions of students worldwide celebrated Computer Science Week (December 6-12) with the Hour of Code. December's resources from Million Girls Moonshot features information on how your afterschool program can participate in Hour of Code, as well as free professional development...

BY: Tierra Easter      12/19/22

September resources from Million Girls Moonshot

To help students see themselves with a future in STEM and to broaden understanding of science history, it is important for students to learn about a diverse range of scientists and engineers. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we highlight a few of the Hispanic and Latinx scientists and engineers...

BY: Chris Neitzey      09/20/22

August resources from Million Girls Moonshot

The school year has started for many across the country, and the August assets from Million Girls Moonshot focus on opportunities and resources for Networks and partners to build the capacity of program providers around the four transformative programming areas: 1) Equity and Inclusion, 2)...

BY: Chris Neitzey      09/01/22

Foster STEM learning with the 4-H STEM Challenge

By Michael Compton, STEM Integrated Marketing Manager at National 4-H Council. STEM refers to the four disciplines of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics. Research suggests that using STEM learning opportunities in after-school educational settings is important to address the...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/15/22

Congress looks to address United States competitiveness in recent legislative effort

In early May, congress officially took the biggest step in negotiating a competitiveness bill by naming 107 members of congress (26 Senators and 71 House members) to the conference committee charged with reconciling differences between the House’s COMPETES Act and the Senate’s USICA...

BY: Chris Neitzey      07/08/22

May Resources from Million Girls Moonshot

During the month of May, the Million Girls Moonshot celebrates Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month). Our country owes a lot of our success to many hardworking, innovative AAPI computer scientists, engineers, and other STEM professionals. These assets will support Networks and...

BY: Chris Neitzey      05/10/22

April resources from Million Girls Moonshot

This month the Million Girls Moonshot celebrates Earth Day and Environmental Education Week! Now is the time for all of us — education, business, and civic leaders — to take action on climate in order to preserve and protect our health, our families, and our livelihoods. To do this, we...

BY: Chris Neitzey      04/26/22

March Resources from Million Girls Moonshot

March marks the beginning of Women’s History month. What was originally known as “Women’s History Week” in 1982, has deservedly transformed over the years into an entire month aimed at recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women in our society, throughout...

BY: Chris Neitzey      03/10/22

Engineer for the Week: Bring free, high-quality STEM learning to your students!

Are you an afterschool practitioner looking for high-quality, cost-free curriculum to help your students develop computer science skills and explore engineering? Do you believe all students should have access to high-quality, cost-free programming where they can develop computer science skills...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      03/03/22

September resources from Million Girls Moonshot

To help students see themselves with a future in STEM and to broaden understanding of science history, it is important for students to learn about a diverse range of scientists and engineers. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we highlight a few of the Hispanic and Latinx scientists and engineers...

BY: Chris Neitzey      09/20/22

August resources from Million Girls Moonshot

The school year has started for many across the country, and the August assets from Million Girls Moonshot focus on opportunities and resources for Networks and partners to build the capacity of program providers around the four transformative programming areas: 1) Equity and Inclusion, 2)...

BY: Chris Neitzey      09/01/22

May Resources from Million Girls Moonshot

During the month of May, the Million Girls Moonshot celebrates Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month). Our country owes a lot of our success to many hardworking, innovative AAPI computer scientists, engineers, and other STEM professionals. These assets will support Networks and...

BY: Chris Neitzey      05/10/22

April resources from Million Girls Moonshot

This month the Million Girls Moonshot celebrates Earth Day and Environmental Education Week! Now is the time for all of us — education, business, and civic leaders — to take action on climate in order to preserve and protect our health, our families, and our livelihoods. To do this, we...

BY: Chris Neitzey      04/26/22

March Resources from Million Girls Moonshot

March marks the beginning of Women’s History month. What was originally known as “Women’s History Week” in 1982, has deservedly transformed over the years into an entire month aimed at recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women in our society, throughout...

BY: Chris Neitzey      03/10/22

February Resources from Million Girls Moonshot

The Million Girls Moonshot is excited to launch recruitment for the inaugural 2022 Moonshot Flight Crew. They are looking for youth advocates — young scientists, engineers, inventors, builders, and leaders who have been inspired by their experience outside of the school...

BY: Chris Neitzey      02/03/22

The Million Girls Moonshot is launching its inaugural Flight Crew!

The Flight Crew is a cohort of youth advocates, ages 13-18, who are committed to creating equity for girls in STEM through elevating youth voices and inspiring future STEM leaders. We are looking for young scientists, engineers, inventors, builders, and leaders who have been inspired by their...

BY: Leah Silverberg      01/28/22

January resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Quality Trainings Audience: For programs and program staff in your state Share with Network STEM Staff, Key Partners, and Program Leaders in your state interested in becoming Dimensions of Success Certified. More information found here. Dimensions of Success (DoS) Certification...

BY: Chris Neitzey      01/14/22

December Resources from Million Girls Moonshot

December brings us the opportunity to reflect on our successes and explore how we might do more as we head into a new year. Below we bring you the December assets from the Million Girls Moonshot, and encourage you to share these resources with your networks and partners. If you are interested in...

BY: Chris Neitzey      12/20/21

November resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Photo courtesy of Million Girls Moonshot Below are the November resources from Million Girls Moonshot. This month’s asset package includes resources to share and utilize related to the four transformative practices: equity and inclusion, engineering mindsets, role models, mentors and...

BY: Chris Neitzey      11/19/21

September resources from Million Girls Moonshot

To help students see themselves with a future in STEM and to broaden understanding of science history, it is important for students to learn about a diverse range of scientists and engineers. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we highlight a few of the Hispanic and Latinx scientists and engineers...

BY: Chris Neitzey      09/20/22

August resources from Million Girls Moonshot

The school year has started for many across the country, and the August assets from Million Girls Moonshot focus on opportunities and resources for Networks and partners to build the capacity of program providers around the four transformative programming areas: 1) Equity and Inclusion, 2)...

BY: Chris Neitzey      09/01/22

Foster STEM learning with the 4-H STEM Challenge

By Michael Compton, STEM Integrated Marketing Manager at National 4-H Council. STEM refers to the four disciplines of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics. Research suggests that using STEM learning opportunities in after-school educational settings is important to address the...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/15/22

February Resources from Million Girls Moonshot

The Million Girls Moonshot is excited to launch recruitment for the inaugural 2022 Moonshot Flight Crew. They are looking for youth advocates — young scientists, engineers, inventors, builders, and leaders who have been inspired by their experience outside of the school...

BY: Chris Neitzey      02/03/22

The Million Girls Moonshot is launching its inaugural Flight Crew!

The Flight Crew is a cohort of youth advocates, ages 13-18, who are committed to creating equity for girls in STEM through elevating youth voices and inspiring future STEM leaders. We are looking for young scientists, engineers, inventors, builders, and leaders who have been inspired by their...

BY: Leah Silverberg      01/28/22

January resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Quality Trainings Audience: For programs and program staff in your state Share with Network STEM Staff, Key Partners, and Program Leaders in your state interested in becoming Dimensions of Success Certified. More information found here. Dimensions of Success (DoS) Certification...

BY: Chris Neitzey      01/14/22

December Resources from Million Girls Moonshot

December brings us the opportunity to reflect on our successes and explore how we might do more as we head into a new year. Below we bring you the December assets from the Million Girls Moonshot, and encourage you to share these resources with your networks and partners. If you are interested in...

BY: Chris Neitzey      12/20/21

CyberStart America: A free computer science/cybersecurity program for afterschool

By Kate Straus, National Cyber Scholarship Foundation. The digitized and online world we now live in has revolutionized how we work, seek entertainment, stay informed and connect with each other. Unfortunately, it has also revolutionized how cyber criminals can target us! Whether temporarily...

BY: Guest Blogger      12/03/21

November resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Photo courtesy of Million Girls Moonshot Below are the November resources from Million Girls Moonshot. This month’s asset package includes resources to share and utilize related to the four transformative practices: equity and inclusion, engineering mindsets, role models, mentors and...

BY: Chris Neitzey      11/19/21

Upcoming STEM opportunities from Million Girls Moonshot

Teen Science Cafe The Teen Science Cafe is an opportunity for youth in rural areas to engage in conversations around STEM with each other and with a scientist, engineer, or inventor. Uniquely fitted to afterschool and out-of-school time programs, the goal of the Teen Science Cafe is to garner...

BY: Maria Rizo      09/30/21

Engineer for the Week: Bring free, high-quality STEM learning to your students!

Are you an afterschool practitioner looking for high-quality, cost-free curriculum to help your students develop computer science skills and explore engineering? Do you believe all students should have access to high-quality, cost-free programming where they can develop computer science skills...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      03/03/22

CyberStart America: A free computer science/cybersecurity program for afterschool

By Kate Straus, National Cyber Scholarship Foundation. The digitized and online world we now live in has revolutionized how we work, seek entertainment, stay informed and connect with each other. Unfortunately, it has also revolutionized how cyber criminals can target us! Whether temporarily...

BY: Guest Blogger      12/03/21

Engineer for the Week Fall Sprint is now open for registration!

Are you an afterschool practitioner looking for high-quality, cost-free curriculum to help your students develop computer science skills and explore engineering? Do you believe all students should have access to high-quality, cost-free programming where they can develop computer science skills...

BY: Leah Silverberg      09/02/21

July resources from Million Girls Moonshot

This month’s resources from the Million Girls Moonshot offer tools and resources for programs looking to implement STEM learning in summer programming. This summer provides an opportunity to reintroduce the four transformative programming areas of the Moonshot: equity and inclusion,...

BY: Chris Neitzey      07/30/21

April resources from Million Girls Moonshot

This month’s resources from Million Girls Moonshot continue the theme around role models and mentors, with new assets from the IF/THEN collection. April signifies the celebration of Earth Day and you’ll find a few Earth Day themed resources below. Please feel free to share these...

BY: Chris Neitzey      04/30/21

March resources from Million Girls Moonshot

March is here, and while that may signal spring for some, it also means new resources from the Million Girls Moonshot! This month’s resources will continue a focus on diverse role models and how afterschool programs can incorporate STEM role models into programming efforts. You’ll find...

BY: Chris Neitzey      03/15/21

CORAL Expanded Learning Program helps children from underprivileged neighborhoods get STEM-ready for high school

By Nisha Shanmugam Kokilam, STEM Program Supervisor, CORAL Expanded Learning Program, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County. CORAL supports narrowing the opportunity gap in accessing STEM in the underprivileged neighborhoods of San Jose by offering free, innovative and high-quality programs...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/02/21