The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development

"Here's more evidence that quality youth programs can benefit young people and communities alike. When communities, families and schools give young people access to development programs and opportunities for adult interaction and mentoring, youth succeed -- that's the main finding of a national longitudinal study released by the National 4-H Council."

Cyberbullying Awareness PSA Competition

"Sony Creative Software, the National Crime Prevention Council and the Ad Council are seeking entries from independent producers and academic institutions to help end cyber bullying by creating a Public Service Announcement on the issue. The top submissions may be eligible for national broadcast and their producer or sponsoring academic institution will receive a complete multimedia editing suite for their facility or school. Maximum Award: Sony software applications and hardware valued at $18,000. Eligibility: independent producers and academic institutions (K-12). Deadline: January 11, 2008."

The Christopher Columbus Awards Program

"The Christopher Columbus Awards Program combines science and technology with community problem-solving. Students work in teams with the help of an adult coach to identify an issue they care about and, using science and technology, work with experts, conduct research and put their ideas to the test to develop an innovative solution. Maximum Award: $25,000, an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World to attend the program's National Championship Week and a $2,000 U.S. Savings Bond for each student team member. Eligibility: middle-school-age (sixth, seventh, and eighth grade) children; teams do not need to be affiliated with a school to enter. Deadline: March 17, 2008."

Winter Wonderland - Fun Activities from Education World

"Snowmen, Skating, Skiing ... It's Winter!

In many parts of the world, winter’s snow and chilly temperatures offer a teachable moment that should not be missed. But even kids in warm places love to 'experience' winter. The lessons and resources on this page are meant to help all educators bring the wonder of winter" into their programs. This collection features language arts lesson ideas, interdisciplinary resources, crafts, recipes, online games, and other activities.

Call for submissions: Adobe Youth Voices/Human Rights Watch International Film Festival

For those of you who are working in youth media, here’s a great opportunity to showcase your work, supported through our friends at Adobe Systems Incorporated. For some time now, YouthLearn has been working with Adobe in the development of their Adobe Youth Voices initiative, an international effort to promote youth media and “creating with purpose.”

The Human Rights Watch International Film Festival and Adobe Youth Voices are looking for youth produced works on human rights from around the globe to screen in our newly established YOUTH PRODUCING CHANGE program.

We're looking for film, video and animated works made by youth (ages 19 and younger) that focus on human rights and social issues.

Deadline for submissions: January 22, 2008

Job Opening with the YouthLearn Initiative

YouthLearn is hiring! We're accepting applications for a full-time Project Assistant, based in Chicago. This is a new position we've created to help us with our projects both here in Chicago and around the country. Ideally, we're looking for someone with experience in youth development, educational technology and/or youth media. Candidates should also have great people, writing and tech skills and love multi-tasking (if that's actually possible).

If you or someone you know is interested, see the job posting and apply online at the url below.

YouthLearn's Guide to Teaching Presentations: It's About the Story

What's really important about multimedia presentations is that they are storytelling devices. It's not about the software, its about the story. We recommend a four-part process for any storytelling project, whether it's a presentation or video: Begin with mapping activities to help generate ideas. Here's a sample map to begin a storytelling project; use storyboarding to help kids figure out the plot, logic, structure and elements of their presentations before beginning work in a software application; introduce the software slowly, making sure that you've already introduced any preliminary technologies you'll need as elements of the presentation; do a group share when the work is complete so kids can share their work and learn from each other.

iPods Assist English Language Learners

"Schools in New Jersey are buying into a new program that gives bilingual students with limited English ability iPods, reports Winnie Hu in the New York Times. The hope is that by singing along to popular English songs, students will sharpen their vocabulary and grammar skills... Incorporating the devices into instruction began when Grace Poli, a media specialist, approached the district three years ago about buying 23 iPods for an after-school bilingual program. She then compiled an eclectic mix of music, typed out the lyrics and deleted the nouns -- and in turn the verbs and adjectives -- to force the students to fill in the missing words and thereby learn their meanings... After viewing the successes, the district plans to try iPods with students who have learning disabilities and behavioral problems."

Captain Planet Foundation Environmental Grants

"The Captain Planet Foundation funds hands-on environmental projects to encourage youth around the world to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities. Maximum Award: $2,500. Deadline: December 31, 2007."

Afterschool Programs an Oasis of Hope for Black Families

"A new study by the Black Alliance for Educational Options, Afterschool Programs as an Oasis of Hope for Black Parents in Four Cities, finds that low-income and working-class African American parents express a strong need for afterschool programs and feel hopeful that these programs will improve their children's life chances. The year-long independent study funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation analyzed the opinions of 407 African American parents, grandparents and caregivers regarding the quality and importance of public school and community based afterschool programs, and the factors which lead parents to enroll their students in them. The study found that parents considered the best afterschool programs those that provide family support, encourage homework completion, participate in creative activities, and increase children's social competence."

New Website: "Be The Change: Upstanders for Human Rights" Officially Launched

"Facing History and Ourselves' new interactive website, 'Be the Change: Upstanders for Human Rights', profiles the stories of five extraordinary human rights award winners who have made a positive difference in the world. Designed for middle and high school students, and created with the help of student interviewers, 'Be the Change' looks at the influences, inspirations and motivations that led the five upstanders to take action on behalf of others. By taking the journey through the website, students connect with a growing global network of their peers who care about creating a more just world... In addition, 'Be the Change' offers lists of resources and organizations to help students think more critically about the roles they might play in the world, their responsibilities and obligations towards their communities, and the choices they will make in their own lives."

Afterschool Advantage: Powerful New Learning Opportunities

A collaborative publication addressing key topics in afterschool argues, "Afterschool programs offer a unique opportunity to respond to our students’ needs for skills and understanding to succeed in today’s globally interconnected society and workforce. But bringing 21st-century skills to every child requires a commitment from the community. It also requires a new era of cooperation between traditional K–12 institutions and afterschool and youth development institutions. Designed and implemented imaginatively and creatively, afterschool programs can play a unique role in providing our students with what they need to succeed in today’s globally interconnected society and workforce. And every student across the nation will benefit from this community-based approach to learning for the 21st century."