Hosted by the New York Hall of Science, #Tinker Tech is a 7-day, free program for students ages 14-17 that introduces game design and audio and video production through engaging activities and fun projects. The program will take place from August 17 – 25, 2015 and daily lunch and snack will be provided. Registration is being accepted on a "first come, first served" basis. Youth can register by sending an email to aware@nysci.org or calling 718-699-0005 ext.320.

Community-Word Project's is now accepting applications for their 2015-2016 Teaching Artist Training & Internship Program (TATIP). TATIP helps professional artists develop the skills needed to work effectively with classroom teachers to reach kids in New York City's Title I schools and public libraries. Graduates of TATIP serve as an invaluable resource that brings art, creativity, confidence and stability into the lives of thousands of kids. TATIP prepares professional artists to: collaborate with classroom teachers to ensure the needs of each class are met; incorporate creative activities into the curriculum that help students and teachers meet city- and state-mandated literacy and arts standards; and integrate their creative elements to develop engaging exercises as part of a long-term vision for the residency. There are tuition fees. Partial scholarships available. Questions can be directed to TATIP@communitywordproject.org. Applications are due September 14, 2015.

Congratulations to PASE Board Member Keith Hefner and his organization Youth Communication for their Golden Lamp Award! Each year, the Association of American Publishers (AAP) names the winner of the Golden Lamp - the best educational magazine in the country. Judges select finalists from among the hundreds of outstanding publications that compete in other categories in AAP's annual contest. This year, Youth Communication's YCteen won the award. Founded in 1980, YCteen is a teen magazine written by a staff of 50 to 60 NYC teens, who participate in an intensive writing program under the direction of two full-time adult professional editors. Published six times during the school year, each issue is also accompanied by a teacher guide. Learn more about the magazine and the teacher guides, visit the YCTeen website.

Sing for Hope hosted an art-installation of 50, artist designed, pianos in parks and public spaces for everyone to enjoy, during this past June. Following their two weeks outside, the pianos are being donated to schools, hospitals, and other community organizations. Your organization can receive a beautiful Sing for Hope Piano free of charge. An application and addition information about the pianos can be found here.

On July 23, 2015, Afterschool Alliance hosted a webinar with researchers from the University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research to discuss the findings of UCCCSR's newly released report, Foundations for Young Adult Success: A Developmental Framework, funded by The Wallace Foundation. The report provides evidence from child/youth development, cognitive science, psychology, and learning theory that educators, out-of-school time practitioners, policymakers, and funders can use to ground their work in a firm understanding of important goals for human development. It also aims to help schools and OST professionals think about how to design adult practices and youth experiences to reach those goals. Speakers on the webinar included Nina Sonenberg, Communications Officer, The Wallace Foundation, Jenny Nagaoka, Deputy Director, Consortium on Chicago School Research, Stacy Ehrlich, Senior Research Analyst, Consortium on Chicago School Research, and Saskia Traill, Vice President for Policy & Research, TASC. View a recording of the webinar.

For the 2nd year, the Afterschool Alliance and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation are pleased to announce the Dollar General Afterschool Literacy Award. Eligible afterschool programs have the chance to win $10,000 and be recognized in a joint Dollar General Literacy Foundation and Afterschool Alliance issue brief. They are seeking nominations for afterschool programs that have excelled in providing literacy support to help improve their students’ reading, writing and critical thinking skills. The focus of the Dollar General Afterschool Literacy Award is on afterschool programs that are providing year-round literacy support through a combination of afterschool and summer programming, and that have demonstrated success improving the literacy skills—including reading, writing and comprehension—of program participants. Program staff and directors are allowed and encouraged to nominate their own program, but do not have to be officially affiliated with a program to nominate it. Applications are due August 27, 2015.