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Creating Activities based on Staff Interests

Creating Activities based on Staff Interests

Are you struggling to keep students engaged during program time? Finding activities, a little dry, even for you? Have you ever thought about developing activities based on your interests? Shawna created a worksheet for you to explore just that. In this month's PD Bite, Shawna linked the worksheet so you...
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Activities for Indoors

Activities for Indoors

Now that the weather is cold, that means more program time is spent inside. It can be hard to keep kids engaged while they are all cooped up. I’ve explored the Mizzen App to find some activities that are great for the colder months.  One of my favorite activities I...
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The Network is Celebrating 35 Years!

The Network is Celebrating 35 Years!

The Network is celebrating 35 years of after school excellence...and more! In 1989, the Network was founded as the Connecticut School Age Child Care Alliance (CSACCA) at the first After School Conference. Since then, we changed names (2x), moved to several locations and employed over 20 people. In addition to...
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OST STEM Experience

OST STEM Experience

The Connecticut Science Center and CT Network for Children and Youth (CTNCY) are thrilled to offer a brand-new series of workshops centered around developing skills, expertise, and programming to assist afterschool providers in creating meaningful, fun STEM experiences and engagement opportunities for students. We know your time is very valuable,...
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Simply STEM (December)

Simply STEM (December)

Welcome to this month’s Simply STEM activity! Today, we are making snow dough! This snow dough is supposed to mimic the look of real snow. Your students will be able to play around with it and mold it because of its unique texture! Experience all the fun of snow without...
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Unpacking the Power of Us Survey

Unpacking the Power of Us Survey

The place of out-of-school time programming in supporting young people’s learning and growth is well established. Yet little is known about the staff and volunteers who support young people. In the latest issue of the Afterschool Matters Journal, these topics are unpacked not only through data, but practitioner stories. What...
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Simply STEM (November)

Simply STEM (November)

Welcome to this month’s Simply STEM activity! Today, we are going to test how different liquids react with marshmallows! This fun and easy activity is perfect for your students to practice their observation skills while using the scientific method. A bonus to this experiment is that you can eat any...
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Building 3D Sandwiches & Color Collages

Building 3D Sandwiches & Color Collages

Two years ago, I created a YouTube video highlighting the playlist feature on the Mizzen app. The playlist “Art Projects for K-5th Grade at Home or in Small Groups” included the “Building 3D Sandwiches” & “Color Collage” Activities. My 3D Sandwich is one of my most prized decorations in my...
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Simply STEM (October)

Simply STEM (October)

Welcome to this month’s Simply STEM activity! Today, we are creating our own spiderweb! This activity is a fun and creative way to teach your students about how spiders catch their prey. Your students will design and create their own spider web that is able to hold at least 3...
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Help Us Help YOU!

Help Us Help YOU!

Hi, I’m Ashley! I’m a graduate student in the Community Psychology program at CCSU and I’m interning with the Network this fall to help conduct a needs assessment project. In the spring, a group of my classmates and I worked with the network on a pilot needs assessment in which...
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