The College Board Opportunity Scholarships is a different kind of scholarship program. Students do not have to write an essay, fill out an application, or have a specific GPA or test score. The program rewards students for simply completing the actions they need to take in order to apply to college. The more effort students put in, the more opportunities they have to earn a scholarship. By completing the six actions outlined in the program, students become eligible to earn $40,000. Scholarships will be awarded through monthly drawings to students who complete each action. The program is open to all class of 2020 students who attend high school in the United States, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories. Students in the class of 2021 will be eligible beginning in late 2019. There is no citizenship requirement.

Interland is a free, adventure-packed online game that makes learning about digital safety and citizenship interactive and fun. Kids will help their fellow Internauts combat badly behaved hackers, phishers, oversharers, and bullies by practicing the skills they need to be good digital citizens. The Be Internet Awesome curriculum gives educators the tools and methods they need to teach digital safety fundamentals. The materials developed by Google in partnership with iKeepSafe enable educators to bring the most critical teachings—and the excitement of Interland—into the classroom. Included in the curriculum, available in English and Spanish, are lesson plans for the five topics, with activities and worksheets that were designed to complement Interland.

The 30th edition of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT® Data Book begins by exploring how America’s child population and the American childhood experience has changed since 1990. Of the 16 areas of child well-being tracked across four domains — health, education, family and community and economic well-being — 11 have improved since the Foundation published its first Data Book 30 editions ago. The rest of the report, including the latest national trends and state rankings, rely on a shorter review window: 2010 to 2017. View the national data profile or download your state's data profile by visiting the website.

The New York State Network for Youth Success is holding its third year of the Power of 3:00 Ambassador program where passionate afterschool, summer, and expanded learning providers and supporters from across New York will work directly with staff from the Network’s Policy Department to develop the advocacy and media skill set to become effective advocates for the children and youth they serve. Ambassadors will be required to attend a two-day training in Albany in September, host one Lights On Afterschool event on National Lights On Afterschool Day, attend the annual Advocacy Day in Albany, host a springtime advocacy event, and participate in Power of 3:00 Ambassador update calls. Applications are due July 31, 2019.

For many young people from low-income households, summer can be a time of losing ground to wealthier peers. Fortunately, summer can also be a time to make gains. A new RAND report identifies programming that can help achieve that goal—and be eligible for federal funding through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Investing in Summer Programs: A Systematic Review of Evidence Under the Every Student Succeeds Act describes 43 summer programs with research that not only backs the programs’ effectiveness but is also rigorous enough to meet the top three of four tiers of evidence laid out in the ESSA. This means they can qualify for a number of funding streams, including those in ESSA’s Title I section, a significant source of funding.

Boys and Girls Clubs partnered with Hofstra University to develop a novel STEM program, STEMgineering Academy, for middle schoolers. It was designed to be highly engaging, demonstrate impact, and be easy to implement regardless of a facilitator's prior STEM experience. Based on the success STEMgineering Academy is now available broadly. There are outdoor activities designed for summer camps and year round indoor activities. The activities are hands-on, collaborative, social, focused on fun. To learn more, contact Ellen Furuya ellen.furuya@hofstra.edu. Visit the website for a free sample or to subscribe.