BoSTEM Update 10: Lena Park CDC, GE Volunteer Day, Assessing Science Practices

Lena Park CDC Provides Access to 21st Century Technology and STEAM Educational Experiences

Providing affordable housing, clinical and social services, STEAM focused youth programs, college and career prep programs, and technological skill building experiences, Lena Park CDC supports its residents’ physical, financial, and mental well-being while expanding their access to 21^st century technology and STEAM education.

“The mission is to serve the community and provide affordable housing,” says Andrea Kaiser, Executive Director of Lena Park CDC. “When we reopened, we voted to make STEAM learning and workforce opportunities a priority. By enhancing 21^st century skills we are helping expose people to new educational and career choices.”

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300 GE Employees Dive Into Boston’s Afterschool Programs and Nonprofits

Collaboration is the key to success. On January 18th, 300 General Electric employees saw this mantra come alive across Boston‘s rich landscape of afterschool partners. The GE Foundation, its philanthropic arm, strives to transform communities and shape the workforce of tomorrow. In order to achieve this goal, GE advances STEM and college readiness opportunities for young people.

In total, the 300 volunteers participated in six different hands-on activities, ranging from conducting mock-interviews with 8th grade students preparing for high school to advising on the implementation of citywide college readiness badges.

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Resource Spotlight: Assessing Science Practices

Written by Pam Pelletier, Director of K-12 Science & Technology/Engineering at BostonPublic Schools, in collaboration with Katherine L. McNeill and Rebecca Katsh-Singer, this article discusses assessment strategies to help STEMeducators gauge students’ abilities to engage with the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices.

The article offers a simple Science Practices Continuum Assessment tool to aid in informal, embedded assessment, and potential instructional activities to support two practices, engaging in argument from evidence and constructing explanations.

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