First Star National STEAM Academy

Calling All Fashionistas!

Our next Tech Talk on Saturday, April 10th at 12 pm PST/3 pm EST, will be focused on SUSTAINABLE FASHION and feature Jacques Agbobly, a graduate of Parsons School of Design and recipient of the 2019 Council of Fashion Designers of America Design Scholar Award. Each year the award is given to two recipients whose talent displays strength in making change through design inclusivity, fashion activism, social justice, and equitable fashion systems. As a fashion activist, Agbobly is also an advocate within the HIV community in Chicago.
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Blast Off! With Our March Tech Talk on
SPACE EXPLORATION!
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Part One: Mei-Li Hey
Mechanical Design Engineer on the James Webb Space Telescope

Mei-Li Hey discusses the new technology of the James Webb Space Telescope, set to launch this year, and how it will improve upon the abilities of the Hubble Space Telescope which has been orbiting the Earth since 1990!

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Part Two: Dr. Louis Tse
Spacecraft Thermal Engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Dr. Tse gives us an in-depth look at the recent landing of Perseverance on Mars! He also discusses his non-profit, Students 4 Students, a nonprofit he co-founded that serves homeless college students.
Academy Highlights
First Star ASU Academy Hosted the Third Annual
Next Chapter Symposium
Our First Star ASU Academy along with ASU's Bridging Success Program ([link removed]) proudly presented the third annual Next Chapter Symposium: Resources to Support Youth Aging-Out of Foster Care ([link removed]) , a virtual event to give those who serve these young people more tools and ideas. The yearly symposium is a collaboration with Voices for CASA Children, the Dependent Children’s Services Division of the Arizona Supreme Court, and the Arizona Department of Education. It is open to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), the foster care review board, school staff, licensed/non-licensed foster parents, group home providers, organizations serving foster youth, and anyone who supports foster youth. The two-day virtual event focused on topics such as homelessness, mental health, teen parenting, education, scholarships, independent living, food insecurity, and
career development.

“We had the great opportunity to host the Next Chapter Symposium for supportive adults in Arizona, expanding our mission,” Gabriela Jimenez, the First Star ASU Academy Director said. “For First Star ASU it is important to serve our communities beyond the scholars in the program.”
First Star Kent State Academy to Host a
First Star-Gazing Session
Our First Star Kent State University Academy will be
hosting its next Star-Gazing Event TODAY!

March 30th, 4:30pm EST/ 1:30pm PST

Star-Gazing sessions engage scholars from across the First Star network to explore career opportunities and engage in community advocacy. This month's session will feature guest speaker, Samantha Hardesty, owner of a multimedia company, life-coaching business, and a woodworking business!

The Star-Gazing event is open to the entire First Star network.
For login information, please email us: [email protected]
Alumni Program
Since the start of the pandemic, First Star has been able to offer micro-grants to Alumni to help with food, tech, health & hygiene, and living necessity needs. To date, we have met the immediate needs of over 40 alumni! We will continue to offer these supports as funding allows and as the crisis continues to present challenges to their success.

We have also partnered with the LA-based organization Change Reaction ([link removed]) , which has enabled us to make larger grants to California alumni supporting rent relief, tuition for school, and help purchasing textbooks.
Our Alumni continue to be in need of support as they weather these challenging times. Even a $25 donation/gift can make a huge difference in the daily life of a First Star alumnus, helping them focus on succeeding in school, at work, or taking care of their families.
Donate To the First Star Alumni Program Today! ([link removed])
Last May, First Star hosted a special national virtual graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020, honoring the largest graduating class to date! We want to carry on the tradition this year and continue to honor our amazing seniors who have been working their whole lives to reach this milestone, an achievement that deserves to be CELEBRATED. We are looking for donors to sponsor the graduation, and join us in honoring our scholars' perseverance and excellence as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

Donate Now to Help Us Celebrate Our First Star Graduates ([link removed])
Check Out Our 2020 Virtual Graduation Ceremony!
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First Star Celebrates Women's History Month
During the month of March, we celebrated Women’s History Month, honoring important women of all ethnicities and cultures who have made an enormous impact on our history, culture, and society. These women are a shining example to all of our scholars that there is no barrier too high or challenge too great for them to overcome!

2020 Impact Report ([link removed])
In the News

Arizona

A joint effort between Foster 360 and Arizona's Children Association is focusing on how to help young people aging out of the system ([link removed]) . When foster youth turn 18, the state no longer provides financial support. In order to prevent homelessness, the new program provides low-cost housing, allowing young adults with similar experiences to live in the same complex. They are able to complete their education, job hunt, and create a support system they desperately need.

Colorado

Colorado legislators are advocating for a state-wide foster care transition program. ([link removed]) After seeing the lack of support children often encounter after leaving foster care, Reps. Lindsey Daugherty (pictured) and Tonya Van Beber are sponsoring HB 21-1094 to create a Foster Youth in Transition Program in Colorado. This program will allow individuals age 18 to 21 who have left foster care to return to foster care if they need continued support, including help with housing, obtaining employment, and receiving healthcare.

Illinois

Susan McConnell has dedicated her life to tirelessly working to get kids in foster care placed with loving families. ([link removed]) “Illinois ranks very low at getting our children adopted, and there’s no reason for that. There are more than enough adoptive parents who would like to step in,” McConnell said. To help bridge that gap, McConnell started the non-profit Let It Be Us ([link removed]) , with a focus on recruiting foster parents and matching them with kids waiting to be adopted throughout Illinois.

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to stay up-to-date with our Academies.
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