Iridescent is accepting applications for the Curiosity Machine AI Family Challenge. The Curiosity Machine AI Family Challenge is a program that invites children, ages 8 - 15, and their parents to explore core concepts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) research, apply AI tools to solve problems in their communities, and enter their ideas into a global competition. Also, throughout 2018, Iridescent is inviting sites around the world to join as site partners and commit to leading hands-on family programs to prepare families for a future with AI. Applications for families and for partners are due January 4, 2018.

Applications have opened for New-York Historical Society's Tech Scholars and Scholars Program. These two programs are ideal for teens who are excited to gain hands-on historian skills and meet other teens from across New York City who share their love for learning. The Tech Scholars program for High School girls grades 9 - 12 meets during midwinter recess February 19 – 23, 2018 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Scholars Program for Teens is open to all High School students grades 9 - 12 and meets on multiple Saturdays in March 2018. Check the website for fees and application deadlines. Questions? Contact hs.internships@nyhistory.org or (212) 485-9281.

The Smith College Project Coach Fellowship seeks aspiring coaches and educators who want to be effective and transformative teachers. Fellows on the teaching track complete a one-year Smith College Master of Arts in Teaching degree while fellows on the youth development or coaching track complete a two-year Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Studies at Smith. Both are tuition free. While earning their master's degrees, fellows are assistants in Project Coach, a nationally-recognized youth development program that teaches adolescents how to coach, teach, and mentor elementary-aged children from under-resourced communities. The application deadline is January 30, 2018.

The Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) released three Runway and Homeless Youth Services (RHY) Request for Proposals (RFP). Through these RFPs, DYCD is seeking appropriately qualified not-for-profit organizations to operate these services for runaway and homeless youth and youth at risk for homelessness in New York City and their families. All proposals must be submitted through the HHS Accelerator system in the manner set forth in the “Procurement” section of the system by pre-qualified organizations. Visit HHS Accelerator for fun details including deadlines. Questions regarding this RFP should be emailed to rfpquestions@dycd.nyc.gov indicating “RHY” in the subject line no later than December 29, 2017.

A new report from the Center for an Urban Future urges Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo to take new steps to boost graduation rates at New York City’s public and community colleges. Degrees of Difficulty: Boosting College Success in New York City finds that while New York City has made enormous progress with its high school graduation rate, the city still has a massive college success problem. According to the report, far too many of the students who enroll in the city’s community colleges and four-year colleges do not earn a credential. Indeed, just 22 percent of students at the city’s community college students graduate in three years, while only 55 percent of the students at CUNY’s senior colleges graduate in six years. Download report.

A new Child Trends report, Making the Grade: A Progress Report and Next Steps for Integrated Student Supports, finds growing evidence for the effectiveness of a rapidly expanding approach to educational achievement. Integrated student supports (ISS) promote students’ academic success by connecting them with nonacademic resources that support the whole child, including secure housing, medical care, tutoring, food assistance, and other supports.  The report comes as states and school districts begin to implement the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, which explicitly encourages the use of ISS models. It finds that students’ participation in effective ISS interventions can have long-term benefits and provides an overview of effective models for policymakers, funders, and practitioners to examine as they try to build high-quality programs. Download the Executive Summary and the report.