Youthlearn News Archive

"Youth-driven solutions, self-expression, first-hand experience - that's the spirit behind SparkAction's new SparkOpportunity Challenge that will launch on April 12.

"The Afterschool Alliance and MetLife Foundation need your help identifying exemplary afterschool programs serving middle school youth to win a $10,000 MetLife Foundation Afterschool Innovator Award and to be featured in our 2012 series of issue briefs.

"Teachers: Register now for the Lure of the Labyrinth Challenge, April – June 15! The Education Arcade at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is pleased to announce the Lure of the Labyrinth Challenge—a free online math challenge for grades 6–8. While playing Lure of the Labyrinth, students use mathematical thinking skills to progress through a compelling graphic-novel story.

"The students work, huddled in pairs, jotting down ideas in notebooks. The classroom buzzes with collaboration, punctuated by giggles and laughter. Students are excited to be writing as we start our annual celebration of Script Frenzy!

"A new report from the National Endowment for the Arts examines academic and civic-behavior outcomes of teenagers and young adults who have engaged deeply with the arts in or out of school. The report finds that teenagers and young adults of low socioeconomic status (SES) who have a history of in-depth arts involvement show better academic outcomes than do low-SES youth with less arts involvement.

Each year Earth Day celebrations raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability.  Find a wide variety of resources for classrooms, youth programs, etc., online, including "10 Ways to Teach Kids about Earth Day" at the craft site Kaboose.  You can also link to more ideas on "Recycle and Reuse at Home" as well as "Kid-friendly Earth Day Activities." Don't let this special day go by unnoticed!

"Each year, America's Promise and ING celebrate 100 deserving communities who effectively provide their youth with the Five Promises -- caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, effective education, and opportunities to help others -- and work to increase graduation rates. Winning communities come from all across the country and are addressing the unique challenges they face. Maximum award: recognition. Eligibility: any community committed to better serving its young people. Deadline: May 17, 2012."

"Best Buy is focused on helping teens build skills that are critical to their futures as well as society as a whole and providing them the access they need to maximize the value of their time outside of the classroom. We are launching a new program aimed at building state-of-the-art "Best Buy Teen Tech Centers" in communities throughout the U.S. The "Tech Centers" will provide a creative and safe learning environment where teens can explore their own ideas, develop skills and build confidence through the creative use of technology.

"For a 6-year-old, one of the most powerful educational tools may be direct instruction, according to new research on how children learn about prejudice. Scientists found that as children get closer to age 10, they begin to rely more on their own experiences rather than what people tell them -- but for youngsters, instruction trumps experience.

Does technology belong in a child-care center or a child's room? The National Association for the Education of Young Children's new recommendations emphasize that it is usage that matters - using new technologies to support hands-on, active and age-appropriate learning for young children.