"Does everything have DNA?" Instructor answers, "Yes, every living thing has a genetic code called DNA!" Students in the Douglass High School PEAK (Perfecting Education and Academics for Kids) Afterschool Program experimented with different fruits to extract its DNA.  Students worked with an instructor from the Oklahoma University Health Science Center's Future Health Scientist Partnerhsip Program (FHSPP) to observe first hand that DNA is in everything they eat.

The Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, Inc received a 21st CCLC grant through the Oklahoma State Department of Education to provide an intensive, fun and hands-on afterschool program that engages students in tutoring, college readiness courses and service learning opportunities that will help students to become C3 (College, Careers and Citizenship) ready.  The Urban League collaborated with OKAN and the Oklahoma University Health Science Center's Department of Community Partnerships and Health Policy to provide the students with a STEMtastic day of learning about the sweet side of DNA.  The 21 students in grades 7th -10th grade discussed the nucleotide bonds that make up the double stranded helices, before pulverizing their fruit to a mush.  They laughed, "Ew this is gross", and dared each other to eat the mushy fruit filled bag. You could tell they were having a great time!  This is what hands-on STEM learning is all about.

After completing the experiment the students asked if they could do the same thing with insects.  They were not ready to leave.  One student asked, "What do I have to do to get a job doing this?"  Another young man talked about becoming an engineer when he graduates.  The students were just buzzing about what they had learned and what they wanted to become in the future.  Mission accomplished!  You've just been STEMed.

On Wednesday, March 27^th, the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) hosted a “Day at the Capital” event. The event featured various organizations within the state that are affiliated with a TSET grant. The affiliates had opportunities to showcase their grant funded work as well as network with elected officials and other TSET grantees.

The Oklahoma Afterschool Network (OKAN) was proudly represented at the event and given the opportunity to inform the community about the development of Oklahoma’s first ever out of school time (OST) quality program standards. Thanks to the funding from TSET and the input and expertise of statewide thought leaders in the youth development field, on June 30^th the Oklahoma Afterschool Quality Program Standards will be available to the public. The standards will help create and improve the expanded learning opportunities for the youth who participate in out of school time (OST) programs; this work will also help program providers communicate their mission through action and hold their organization accountable.

If you would like more information about the Oklahoma Afterschool Quality Program Standards, contact Peju Faboro by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information about TSET, visit their website: http://www.ok.gov/tset/.

Girl Scouts to the Rescue!

The Girl Scouts- Western Oklahoma are doing their part to make sure young ladies are engaged in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) education.  The Girl Scouts organization has been around Oklahoma since 1935, and is mainly known to many of us for the great cookies! Young ladies that join Girl Scouts are learning more than just how to sell cookies.  These young ladies are learning how to become leaders, STEM majors and careers, robotics, diversity and how to contribute to their community.  The Girl Scouts organization understands there are many different pathways that lead to these goals and journey.

Nine weeks ago Cleveland Elementary of Oklahoma City Public Schools collaborated with Girl Scouts- Western Oklahoma to engage female students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning.  Of course when working with young ladies everything must be able to be described as being pretty or beautiful; so we should add an “A” for Aesthetics (STEAM).  The young ladies were engaged in STEAM! The young ladies from grades 2^nd to 5^th grade had great time learning about STEAM using the Techbridge curriculum.  Girl Scouts partnered with Techbridge to help bridge the gap with women and girls entering into STEM majors and careers.  The students participated in hands-on Informal STEM activities like “The Devon Tower Challenge”, building the tallest cell phone antenna, cookie wrapping engineering contest and many other creative activities.  They also learned what character traits it takes to be successful in STEM: Listening, Following Instructions, and Paying Attention to Detail.  These young ladies understand the importance of doing well in school now and the pathways it will lead to becoming a future leader or a STEM Rock Star.

Thank you Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma for molding and being role models to our future leaders and workforce.  Remember to keep buying those cookies to support your local Girl Scout Troop!