ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Dear ASTC Community,

It is with great pleasure that we announce that the Coalition for
Science After School has opened its membership to the wide communities
of STEM and after-school education.  As you may know, the Coalition
was formed with two small meetings in 2004 and 2005 of leaders from
the diverse communities of STEM and after-school learning.  I joined
the Coalition as its director in April 2006, and we are now looking to
you to help build this network beyond the initial group of leaders.

As a first step, the Coalition's leadership has approved a vision and
mission statement which summarizes the principles that were explored
at the initial meetings.  Following from the vision and mission are
statements of membership for organizations and individuals.
Membership in the network is open to any group or individual in
agreement with the Coalition's principles.  There are no fees or
contractual obligations, but membership should indicate a commitment
to support quality STEM learning opportunities for youth and a
willingness to collaborate with other members.  This follows the
example of Afterschool for All: Project 2010
(http://www.afterschool2010.org/) which many of you may already
support.

We would like to start the membership process by asking you to agree
to the principles of the Coalition on behalf of your organization.  I
have pasted below the organization version of the statement of
membership and ask that you email it back to me and to Thomas Carlson,
[log in to unmask], as a sign of agreement.  Thomas will then revise
the website to indicate your commitment to this effort.

Your participation will demonstrate support of our ongoing efforts and
assist me in developing opportunities for your organizations to
participate.  It will also allow the Coalition to support your efforts
related to STEM learning in after-school.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  We look
forward to your participation as the Coalition moves forward.

Sincerely,


Jason Freeman
Director
Coalition for Science After School
Cell: (617) 270-8729
Website: http://qt.exploratorium.edu/csas
Blog: http://scienceafterschool.blogspot.com

COALITION FOR SCIENCE AFTER SCHOOL
STATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP

ABOUT ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP
The Coalition for Science After School exists as a network of experts,
committed individuals, and institutions from the fields of STEM and
after-school education and youth development.  Membership is open to
any individual or organization that agrees to the principles of the
Coalition.  Members of the Coalition benefit from the connection to
other members, and, in turn, agree to add their own efforts and
expertise to the Coalition network.

For organizations to become members, a responsible official from that
organization should complete the statement below and email it to the
Coalition director.  Organizational members will be listed on the
website, and there will be a mailing list specifically for
organization leaders.

VISION
The Coalition for Science After School envisions the day when young
people from all backgrounds have access to high quality STEM learning
experiences during out of school hours.

MISSION
The Coalition for Science After School is a strategic alliance among
individuals and organizations from STEM education, youth development,
and out-of-school time programs.  The Coalition's mission is to
coordinate and mobilize community stakeholders to strengthen and
expand opportunities for young people to do and learn science in
after-school settings.

ORGANIZATION AGREEMENT
As a member of this Coalition, <Organization name> supports the vision
and mission above.  As a responsible official for <organization name>,
I, <individual name>, agree to offer organizational support to the
Coalition's network of individuals and organizations that also support
this vision.  Furthermore, I offer the expertise and, where
appropriate, resources of the organization in support of this mission.

The Coalition will support my efforts by serving as a communication
and dissemination network for new knowledge, promising practices,
development opportunities, and other relevant information.  My
organization will have access to the reports and findings of the
Coalition and may use these in development of high quality STEM
opportunities for youth.

DISCLAIMER: This agreement is in support of the principles of the
Coalition and does not constitute a financial obligation.  There is no
fee or other required financial contribution to become a member of the
Coalition for Science After School.

PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
Name, Title, Contact info
Self identification as: Museum/Science Center; University or other
science-rich institution; Community Based Org; Nationally affiliated
youth development group (BSA, GSUSA, B/G Club, 4-H, Girls
Inc., etc.); Other after-school service provider; Technical
assistance, Professional development provider; Research organization

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]