How Slow Productivity Can Help You Incorporate Program Evaluation
Welcome to Insights & Opportunities: A Hub for Informal STEM Education! Insights & Opportunities is a twice-monthly newsletter for educators, administrators, legislators, and advocates who recognize the importance of informal STEM learning.
This newsletter is brought to you by me, Sarah Dunifon, and my team at Improved Insights. I’m a long-time STEM educator, researcher, and equity advocate. Along with my team, I now work on cutting-edge informal STEM learning research and evaluation.
Each edition of this newsletter offers exciting insights, resources, and opportunities for informal STEM learning professionals, including funding, jobs, professional development, informal STEM learning research, evaluation tips and resources, and so much more! We hope you find it valuable. Now, let’s get started.
How Slow Productivity Can Help You Incorporate Program Evaluation
Building off the insightful posts Emily wrote about evaluation project management, we’d like to zoom out and consider the bigger picture of managing workload in general. We know that evaluation is one of many pieces that managers and directors are juggling. Adding evaluation to your plate can feel like yet another expectation, and can be overwhelming. But, there are ways to streamline and embed this work into your existing schedule to make it easier.
One major thing to consider is the overall workload you carry, including what is critical, what is optional, and what should be cut. I’ve been inspired by a new book, Slow Productivity, written by Cal Newport, a nonfiction author and professor of computer science at Georgetown University.
Appropriately titled, the book centers on the idea of slow productivity, a way to mentally restructure your workload to focus on the most important pieces and cut the noise. It talks about three main principles: (1) Do fewer things, (2) Work at a natural pace, and (3) Obsess over quality.
To read the full article, check it out in our Insights.
60-Second Suggestions
Here are a few of my favorite things this month, usually pertaining to informal STEM education and evaluation, but occasionally some fun personal stuff, too.
Building on their sustainability blog series, Afterschool Alliance is hosting a webinar to explore strategies for securing funding and advocating for sustainable support for afterschool programs. Key topics include federal funding opportunities, practical tips for maintaining afterschool programs, and insight from key field experts. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, November 30, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET.
November is Native American Heritage Month. The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) has put together a database of pioneering women in science. Check out this resource to learn more about the amazing Indigenous women who have made and are making major strides in STEM. Also, check out this article from San Diego Magazine about Danielle Boyer, a 23-year-old Ojibwe creator who invented SkoBot, a wearable robot that is helping to teach and preserve the Ojibwe, Anishinaabemowin, and other Indigenous languages.
As we approach the end of 2024, we’re taking a moment for some reflection and self-care. Emily recently participated in a writing workshop that integrated somatic movement exercises into the program. Taking a break from a very cerebral pursuit for mindfulness and gentle movement was both soothing and grounding, and required only five minutes to feel a real difference in mindset. This introduction to somatic self care from Johns Hopkins is a great, accessible guide to various applications of somatic movement.
Opportunities
Check out these new opportunities for the informal STEM learning community.
Funding:
2025 NOAA Hawaii Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, up to $150,000. The 2025 NOAA Hawai'i Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program is currently accepting applications. The program supports locally relevant environmental education programs for students and teachers in grades K-12. These programs engage youth in meaningful watershed educational experiences (MWEEs) that provide memorable hands-on, experiential learning and that positively impact coastal, marine, and watershed ecosystems in the Hawaiian Islands. An informational webinar will be held November 21, 2024 from 6:00-7:00 PM ET. Applications are due January 31, 2025.
2025 Summer Programs, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, up to $50,000. Summer programs serving the Hartford, CT area are invited to apply for funding. Programs should support Hartford youth and people with disabilities during the summer of 2025. Eligible programs include summer camperships, enrichment opportunities, tutorial experiences, or counselor-in-training programs. The application deadline is January 13, 2024.
Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL), National Science Foundation (NSF), up to $3.5 Million over 5 years. NSF's Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL) Program is seeking project submissions from informal STEM learning organizations. Grants will be awarded to five project types: (1) Synthesis; (2) Conference; (3) Partnership Development and Planning; (4) Integrating Research and Practice; and (5) Research in Support of Wide-reaching Public Engagement with STEM. The program seeks proposals that center engagement, broadening participation, and belonging. Up to $3.5 million in funding over five years is available in certain project categories. Program officers will host office hours November 18, 2024 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Submissions are due January 8, 2025.
AMS Young Scholars Program, American Mathematical Society (AMS), up to $15,000. Directors of US-based summer math programs for high school students are invited to apply for funding of up to $15,000. Funds will be utilized as scholarships for program participants (no less than 50%), and the remaining will support program expenses. Programs must have a proven track record and promote engagement with math in a way that builds curiosity and confidence. Applications are due by January 22, 2025.
Thriving Youth, Stronger Communities, Lohengrin Foundation, up to $15M. The Lohengrin Foundation seeks nonprofit partners to build new youth centers in Chicago. Projects may include new construction or conversion of existing buildings to address youth and community health, safety, and education. Special consideration will be given to proposed sites in underserved communities with high youth density populations. Letters of Interest are due December 6, 2024.
Youth Garden Grant, KidsGardening, $500 + gardening supplies. Organizations across the U.S. that serve 15 or more youth through garden programs are invited to apply for funding and a collection of gardening supplies. These grants are meant primarily for smaller operations that receive less than $10,000 annually in grants for their gardening program. Applications are due December 13, 2024.
Jobs and Fellowships:
AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (Nationwide), $8,000 summer stipend. AAAS’ 10-week program places STEM graduate students and postdocs in newsrooms nationwide (e.g., National Public Radio, Los Angeles Times, WIRED, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NOVA) to enhance their science communication skills and contribute to accurate media reporting. Fellows work with professional journalists to translate complex scientific concepts for general audiences, gaining valuable writing experience. Open to U.S. citizens and international students studying in the U.S. Application window closes January 1, 2025.
Associate Director, The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, CO), $77,220. The Associate Director will support overall leadership, planning and strategy for the Center for Education, Engagement, and Evaluation (CEEE). They will help to oversee the center’s project portfolio, communications, and operations, focusing on inclusive education practices. A Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) in education or a related field and program management expertise are required. Applications are due November 25, 2024.
Education Administrative Specialist, Conservancy of Southwest Florida (Naples, FL), $46,000. The Education Administrative Specialist acts as the primary point of contact for education programs. They provide logistical support for education programs, coordinate event registration, manage participant data, and ensure accurate records for school and adult outreach. Additionally, the Specialist supports program operations and handles administrative tasks. Familiarity with nonprofit work and Spanish is preferred.
Education Manager, Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey, CA), $65,700. The Education Manager will lead professional development for PreK-12 educators and STEM programming for students, focusing on culturally responsive education and NGSS-aligned curriculum. Responsibilities include teaching in English and Spanish, curriculum design, program evaluation, team leadership, and fostering community partnerships. Spanish fluency is preferred.
Executive Director, Thorne Nature Experience (Boulder, CO), $155,000. The Executive Director will lead organizational strategy, staff mentorship, fundraising, and community relations for Thorne Nature Experience. The Executive Director will be committed to advancing inclusivity, collaboration, and expanding nature connection opportunities for youth. Candidates should have experience in nonprofit leadership (including high level business strategy), fundraising, and fostering equity.
Manager of Programs, Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) (Washington, DC or remote), $60,000. The Manager of Programs supports ASTC’s Impact & Inclusion initiatives, focusing on workforce diversity and scaling equity-focused approaches in science learning. Responsibilities include project management, leadership development, grant administration, and event coordination. Applications are due December 9, 2024.
Professional Development:
2025 IMLS Museum Grant Application Reviewer, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The Office of Museum Services is seeking grant reviewers for the 2025 Institute of Museum and Library Services funding cycle. Selected reviewers will be eligible to receive an honorarium of either $300 or $500 for their service, depending on the type of review. On average, each reviewer will receive 7-12 applications, which will take an average of 1 hour each to review. Reviewer applications are due December 6, 2024.
Diversity in STEM Education Summit: Building a Coalition for Attracting and Retaining a Diverse STEM Teaching Workforce, The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), 2025 (Washington, D.C.). The SSEC invites leadership teams to submit applications for the 2025 Diversity in STEM Education Summit in Washington, D.C. The Summit will engage leaders in addressing problems of practice related to attracting and retaining a diverse STEM teaching workforce. The outcome of the Summit will be district-specific "action plans" for addressing this problem, with support from SSEC mentors, coaches, and advisors. Informational webinars will take place November 19, 2024 from 3:30-4:30 PM ET and November 20, 2024 from 4:30-5:30 PM ET. Team applications are due December 13, 2024.
ISE Equity Visionaries, REVISE Center, January-June 2025 (virtual). The REVISE Center invites informal STEM education (ISE) professionals to apply for the ISE Equity Visionaries cohort. The program will be made up of a series of educational, networking, and supportive workshops and discussions designed to strengthen the capacity of prospective organizations to apply for federal funding opportunities through the National Science Foundation (NSF). Join REVISE for an informational session on the ISE Equity Visionaries program Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 1:00 PM ET. Applications to the cohort are due December 19, 2024.
Thanks for tuning in to this edition of Insights and Opportunities. While you’re waiting for the next edition, tell your friends! We appreciate you sending along a blog post you enjoyed, a job opportunity you think a friend should apply for, and resources you found valuable. Sharing this newsletter is the best way to support this work. Until next time - thanks!
