Training 23-24

Partnering with Young People...Even When it's Hard!
Must attend all sessions (4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13)
As youth workers, we believe that all young people can contribute positively to our communities. And we believe that sharing power with young people can enhance our collective work.
But the day-to-day realities of our work don’t always match those beliefs. Our roles present intense demands. Young people bring a wide range of needs. Sometimes our practices fall short of meeting those needs. And unmet needs can contribute to youth behaviors that negatively impact others.
In these moments, it’s easy to see young people’s behaviors as “the problem.” But if we re-ground ourselves in our beliefs, we can find other pathways forward. Instead of blaming young people, we can seek to better understand them. We can work with them to make things better. And in doing so, we can learn from and with young people to improve our own practices as youth workers.
This four-part series will offer a supportive environment to practice this youth-centered professional learning process. Outcomes will include:

• Identifying ways in which young people’s behaviors can help us to better understand their needs;
• Generating research questions and “findings” about a young person from your program whose needs aren’t yet being fully met;
• Reframing unmet needs as dilemmas that we can engage with young people; and
• Generating action steps to share power with young people to better meet their needs.

Since we can all learn from young people, this series is a good fit for anyone who works in Cambridge Out-of-School-Time programs: youth workers, program directors, and more!  It will meet from 10:00am-12:30pm on four consecutive Mondays (4/22, 4/29, 5/6, and 5/13).Participants can expect some reading, a youth observation, and one initial action step as “pre-work” in between sessions.  Readings come from the book Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School.  All participants will receive a free copy of the book.

Are you ready to boost your STEAM offerings and ignite creativity in your program? Join us for an exciting exploration into the world of making! Whether you're looking to introduce Makerspace concepts or enhance your existing programs, this session is designed to inspire and empower.

What to Expect:

1. Unveiling the Benefits: Discover the benefits of Makerspace for young learners, from fostering creativity and critical thinking to promoting collaboration and problem-solving skills.
2. Embracing STEAM Habits of Mind: Dive into the STEAM Habits of Mind and uncover how they live in Makerspace activities. From embracing challenges and persevering through obstacles to cultivating curiosity and exploring new possibilities, maker spaces do it all.
3. Challenge Your Creativity: Prepare to push the boundaries of your own creativity as we embark on hands-on activities and brainstorming sessions aimed at generating fresh ideas and innovative approaches to Makerspace programming. Tap into the collective wisdom of fellow participants as we collaboratively explore new avenues for STEAM engagement.
4. Building a Vision: Leave inspired and equipped with practical strategies for integrating Makerspace principles into your programs, whether you're starting from scratch or looking to expand your offerings.

Don't miss this opportunity to harness the power of Makerspace and ignite a passion for STEAM exploration in your program. 

Join us for a hands-on workshop where we'll unleash our creativity and explore the endless possibilities of cardboard! In this interactive session, participants will learn how to transform simple cardboard boxes into an exciting arcade filled with fun games and activities.
What to Expect:

• Creative Exploration: Get ready to think outside the box as we dive into the world of cardboard construction. 
• Game Design: Discover the principles of game design as we brainstorm and develop unique arcade games using cardboard and everyday materials. 
• Problem-Solving: Encounter challenges along the way? No problem! This workshop is all about activating your STEAM Habits of Mind. Stretch and explore. Engage and Persist. Embrace the process of trial and error finding creative solutions to unexpected obstacles.
• Collaboration: Work together with fellow participants to brainstorm ideas, share inspiration, and collaborate on group projects. 
• Reflection: As we wrap up our workshop, we'll reflect on our experiences and discuss the "Habits of Mind" that were essential to our creative process.