AK ACRES

Professional Development in STEM Afterschool 

Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM (ACRES) is a nationally acclaimed professional development series for out-of-school time educators who want to build knowledge and skills towards confident facilitation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) experiences for youth in their programs. At the heart of ACRES is coaching, where participants learn a skill and receive peer and expert coaching to help them reflect upon and strengthen their instructional practice.

Professional development for out-of-school time providers often consists of a single workshop with limited follow up. The ACRES approach  involves working with a small group of participants over time to build skills, while receiving guidance, implementation support and resources around STEM teaching topics.

AK ACRES is the first Alaskan only cohort of the ACRES program. Participants will receive free professional development and expert coaching in a collaborative, peer online learning environment. Participants will receive training on two critical STEM teaching skills: Asking Purposeful Questions & Modeling the Science Process Afterschool. Once participants return to their program they will record a short video clip as they try out this strategy with youth. Clips are subsequently shared and discussed with peers and an experienced cohort coach, to receive feedback that strengthens their STEM practice. All participants will receive a $200 stipend upon completion of two follow-up surveys.

Asking Purposeful Questions -

Educators experience a water filtration activity as a vehicle for learning and developing the skill of Asking Purposeful Questions. This module examines the characteristics of purposeful questions and engages staff in practicing the skill as they clean up ‘dirty’ water.

Modeling the Science Process Afterschool -

Science processes involve asking questions, developing and using models, and analyzing and interpreting data in order to make explanations based on evidence. This module focuses on supporting students in asking questions and planning and carrying out investigations. As front line staff deepen their understanding of the science processes, they also continue to practice asking purposeful questions, and consider similarities and differences with asking questions in science versus asking questions in engineering contexts.

ACRES is a program of the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance and is being offered to afterschool workers in Alaska through the Alaska Afterschool Network.