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Check out our impact in Summer, 2021!
As we start planning for Summer 2022, we wanted to celebrate our success in 2021 summer programming!
SPIN Girls Monthly Newsletter | May 2022
It's Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!
"May marks Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which celebrates the histories of Americans hailing from across the Asian continent and from the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. This year's theme, selected by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, is "Advancing Leaders Through Collaboration," which builds on a leadership advancement theme series that began last year." Check the recourses section for more information.
In this month's newsletter, you'll find a recap of our activities in April and what your students can look forward to in May. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. - Jaira
MONTHLY RECAP
Field Day #5:
The Epic Cohort (8th Grade) visited Seattle City Lights, toured the facility and participated in clean energy, climate change, and electrification workshops!
The Luminous Cohort (9th Grade) visited UW Immunology, toured both immunology and microbiology labs, created their own "bacteria drawings" on agar plates, and listened to a panel of female scientists!
The Stellar Cohort (10th Grade) virtually visited Meta, learned about optics, VR and AR systems, and listened to a panel of women in the field!
RESOURCES
The story behind Asian Pacific American Heritage, and why it's celebrated in May.
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success.
CELEBRATE ASIAN AMERICAN AND NATIVE HAWAIIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH IN SEATTLE For a list of things to do and places to go to honor AA&NH/PI heritage in Seattle this May, check out the recommendations here.
Prevention Ambassadors Application – Due May 5th Neighborhood House, APICAT, SE Seattle PEACE Coalition and Latinx King County Dream Coalition are starting a Prevention Ambassadors Program for young adults age 16-25 and parents who represent diverse ethnic communities in King County. Bilingual youth a parents who want to share information with their community about drug and alcohol misuse, mental health and healthy choices, are strongly encouraged to apply. We will select 15-20 participants to join this 4-month program.
Participants will receive weekly trainings in May-June by Zoom and then 2 trainings/cohort learning meetings per month after that for July and August. Meetings will be on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-7:45pm.
Payment will be as follows:
$200 for May trainings/presentations
$200 for June trainings/presentations
$100 for July training/presentation
$100 for Aug Training/presentation
$600 total per person
Training topics will include:
Introduction and overview of prevention
Marijuana and youth
Vaping
Mental Health And Suicide Prevention
New Marijuana derived products including Delta 8
To apply, fill out the online application: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6840264/Prevention-Ambassadors-Application
LOOKING FORWARD
In light of the recent lifts of the COVID-19 mandates, please visit our website for an update on our COVID-19 protocols. Masks are encouraged at SPIN events.
Lab Day #5 Saturday May 14th, 2022. Lunch provided.
Where: Tukwila Community Center: 12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168.
Epic Cohort (8th Grade): 9:30AM-1:00PM
Luminous Cohort (9th Grade): 9:30AM-1:00PM
Stellar Cohort (10th Grade): 1:00PM-4:30PM
*8th and 9th graders, feel free to arrive at 9:00AM for extra mentor-mentee hangout time.
Thank you for participating in our SPIN Girls 2021-2022 program!
Please join us for the SPIN Girls Capstone Presentation 2022!
Date & Time: Saturday June 4, 2022 10:00AM-2:00PM
Where: Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave S Tukwila, WA 98178
The students will have the chance to showcase their biology inspired backpacks, LEGO robot obstacle courses, & climate change solutions projects that they've been working on all year. We will also celebrate our graduating Stellar Cohort of 10th grade students! Each student and mentor that attends will be given a Capstone gift to recognize their hard work and dedication. We will conclude the event with a small award ceremony and lunch will be provided by caterers from Spice Bridge.
SPIN Girls FELLOWS
Students who graduate from SPIN Girls are invited to apply for SPIN Fellows in the Spring of their 10th grade year. 15 Fellows are accepted based on their commitment to SPIN Girls and their interest in pursuing a STEM career.
The goal of SPIN Fellows is to empower SPIN Girls students to feel confident in pursuing STEM college majors & careers. The vision is to grow a strong alumni community, supported by SPIN Girls mentors, staff, and other alumni. SPIN Fellows breaks down the barriers that girls* of color face when exploring and pursuing STEM careers and shapes a more inclusive future.
For more information visit our website: https://www.stempaths.org/spin-girls-fellows
SPIN Girls Monthly Newsletter | April 2022
Happy Spring!
I hope you all are staying safe and feeling hopeful about the future. It's time to get ready for warmer weather and hopefully more sunny days!
In this month's newsletter, you'll find a recap of our activities in March and what your students can look forward to in April. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. - Jaira
MONTHLY RECAP
Field Day #4:
The Epic Cohort (8th Grade) visited Renton Technical College, toured the labs and participated in Automotive Technology, Manufacturing & Fabrication Technologies, & Welding workshops!
The Luminous Cohort (9th Grade) visited Microsoft's 343 Industries. 343 Industries is the video game company that is home to the Halo Universe. Our students toured the famous Halo museum, learned about the different careers in the gaming industry, and of course played Halo Infinite!
The Stellar Cohort (10th Grade) visited Adaptive Biotechnologies and participated in a DNA extraction activity, 3D printed their own DNA helices, and learned what goes into an effective social media post in the biotech industry!
Lab Day #4:
Our 8th grade students created biology inspired backpacks, our 9th grade students programmed their LEGO robots and began designing their obstacle courses, and our 10th graders continued their climate change research projects!
RESOURCES
Starting March 12, masks will no longer be required in many indoor public spaces including K-12 schools and child care facilities. Public Health – Seattle & King County follows the guidance for schools and child care from the Washington Department of Health. School districts and child care facilities may choose to have students, teachers, and visitors wear masks even though the mask mandate is ending. Any individual who chooses to continue wearing a mask in school or childcare should be supported in their decision.
LOOKING FORWARD
In light of the recent lifts of the COVID-19 mandates, please visit our website for an update on our COVID-19 protocols. Masks are encouraged at SPIN events.
Field Day #5 on Saturday April 23rd, 2022. Light snacks provided.
Epic Cohort (8th Grade), 9:30AM-12:30PM: @ Seattle City Light
Luminous Cohort (9th Grade), 9:30AM-12:30PM: @ UW Immunology
Stellar Cohort (10th Grade), 1:30PM-3:00PM: Meta/Facebook (virtual)
Lab Day #5 on Saturday May 14th, 2022. Lunch provided.
Where: Tukwila Community Center: 12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168.
Epic Cohort (8th Grade): 9:30AM-1:00PM
Luminous Cohort (9th Grade): 9:30AM-1:00PM
Stellar Cohort (10th Grade): 1:00PM-4:30PM
*8th and 9th graders, feel free to arrive at 9:00AM for extra mentor-mentee hangout time.
SPIN GIRLS FELLOWS
"In March the SPIN Fellows continued their bi-weekly study group sessions to focus on schoolwork, standardized test prep, and general group bonding. "
- Fellows Program Manager
Students who graduate from SPIN Girls are invited to apply for SPIN Girls Fellows in the Spring of their 10th grade year. 15 Fellows are accepted based on their commitment to SPIN Girls and their interest in pursuing a STEM career.
For more information visit our website: https://www.stempaths.org/spin-girls-fellows
SPIN Announces New Leadership Structure!
STEM Paths Innovation Network (SPIN) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Shana Beckwith to the position of Executive Director of Education and Katherine Barr to the position of Executive Director of Operations.
Shana and Kat have been working closely together to shepherd SPIN from a small, grassroots project to a full-fledged nonprofit serving hundreds of students and families every year. SPIN has implemented a shared leadership model in order to honor the strengths of their leadership, ensure that the organization continues to be led by its commitment to the communities they serve, and build a distributed decision-making model amongst all staff.
The Executive Director of Education (EDE) provides leadership and vision in the ongoing planning, implementation, development, direction, review and evaluation of SPIN’s curriculum, instructional services and operations. The EDE ensures that SPIN objectives are aligned to frameworks and to instructional practices that provide optimum outcomes to students and families of color. The EDE leads the organization in partnership with the Executive Director of Operations and the Board.
The Executive Director of Operations (EDO) is responsible for ensuring the successful fulfillment of SPIN’s mission while embodying all of the values that define SPIN’s culture. The EDO leads SPIN’s financial management, communications, human resources, and fundraising activities, and works with the EDE and the Board to determine SPIN’s strategic direction.The EDO leads the organization in partnership with the Executive Director of Education and the Board.
If you’d like more information about SPIN, please contact us! info@stempaths.org. We also invite you to make a contribution to our work!
SPIN Girls Monthly Newsletter | March 2022
It's Women's History Month!
SPIN Girls is celebrating Women’s History Month by shining a light on our mentors in STEM! These inspirational women are doing amazing work and are impacting the industries they serve by helping to pave the way for future female innovators to do the same. THANK YOU SPIN GIRLS MENTORS!
In this month's newsletter, you'll find a recap of our activities in February and what your students can look forward to in March. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. - Jaira
MONTHLY RECAP
Lab Day #3:
The Epic Cohort (8th Grade) students designed an article of clothing inspired by the various ways animals and plants protect themselves.
The Luminous Cohort (9th Grade) students programmed their own LEGO robots and used color sensing technology.
The Stellar Cohort (10th Grade) students continued their climate change research projects and prepared for their capstone presentations!
RESOURCES
Neighborhood House is pleased to be partnering with Inspiring Here and Now to offer this free online workshop for African American parents and teens ages 12-16! Each parent/caregiver receives a $75 gift card for participation. ***Inspiring Here & Now Supports Black and Brown families by providing the Strong African American Families-Teen Program (SAAF-T). SAAF-T is a program that is effectively helping families of color to learn skills needed for teens to resist drug use, make responsible choices about sexual activity, plan for higher education, and careers. Parents and teens learn together in weekly sessions featuring fun activities. This program was developed specifically for African American families and is evidence-based. Flyer and registration form here.
Leaders of Today is an organization focused on providing youth with mentorship from leading professionals to foster a culture of innovation and nurture the next generation of Leaders of Today. Interest in writing or STEM? Enter the 2022 Leaders of Today Competition by April 30th 2022. Competition winners will serve as our 2022 Leaders of Today "Youth Visionaries" and are chosen by the Adult Ambassadors in their chosen category.
An invitation for King County youth to join the 2022 Youth Forum!The King County Youth Bill of Rights Task Force (meet them again, here!) are hosting a community conversation about issues critically impacting young people, 24 years old and younger, in our region. The forum will be led by the Task Force members who will share and facilitate conversations around mental health, resource scarcity and equity, school challenges, and more. Click here to learn more and view registration details!
EPIC-Engineering Possibilities in College shares Cal Poly’s College of Engineering mission “to educate students for careers of service, leadership, and distinction in engineering or other fields by using a Learn by Doing, hands-on approach." EPIC is open to all rising 6th-12th graders. The program’s primary goals are to attract more female, first-generation and low-income students to the field of engineering and inspire them to choose it as a career path. Applications closes April 15, 2022 at 5:00 pm (PST). Apply here.
LOOKING FORWARD
SPIN students and mentors will need to bring proof of vaccination or a negative test result to all future SPIN events. Visit our website for an update on our COVID-19 protocols.
Field Day #4 on Saturday March 5th, 2022. Light snacks provided.
Epic Cohort (8th Grade), 9:30AM-11:30AM: @ Renton Technical College
Luminous Cohort (9th Grade), 9:30AM-12:30PM: @ 343 Industries - Microsoft
Stellar Cohort (10th Grade), 1:30PM-4:30PM: @ Adaptive Biotechnologies
Lab Day #4 on Saturday March 26th, 2022. Lunch provided.
Where: Tukwila Community Center: 12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168.
Epic Cohort (8th Grade): 9:30AM-1:00PM
Luminous Cohort (9th Grade): 9:30AM-1:00PM
Stellar Cohort (10th Grade): 1:00PM-4:30PM
*8th and 9th graders, feel free to arrive at 9:00AM for extra mentor-mentee hangout time.
SPIN GIRLS FELLOWS
"In February, the SPIN Fellows met for their in-person check-in where they made lists of their dream colleges (including the University of Hawaii, WSU, Berkeley, Portland State, and Osaka University Japan) and continued writing their independent project proposals. Independent projects for this cohort range from coding an original app, developing a social media marketing portfolio, and interning in a research lab! The SPIN Fellows also hold bi-weekly study group sessions as a new space to focus on schoolwork, standardized test prep, and general group bonding. "
- Fellows Program Manager
Students who graduate from SPIN Girls are invited to apply for SPIN Girls Fellows in the Spring of their 10th grade year. 15 Fellows are accepted based on their commitment to SPIN Girls and their interest in pursuing a STEM career.
For more information visit our website: https://www.stempaths.org/spin-girls-fellows