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The Making After-School Cool Podcast is an essential part of the CASE for Kids push to increase the awareness of resources that improve quality in the after-school and out-of-school time field. Join Mike Wilson and field experts as they discuss best practices, the growth mindset, project-based learning, social emotional learning, restorative practices and student engagement all with after-school providers in mind. Brought to you by Case4Kids
Episodes

Friday Sep 15, 2023
Ep 127: Developing Youth’s Digital Conscious
Friday Sep 15, 2023
Friday Sep 15, 2023
This is our third episode in our series regarding interacting with youth during the technology age. Today's episode focuses on guiding youth to be responsible when using cells phone and other forms of social media. According to research conducted by Dr. Ling, and Dr. Haddon, published in the International Handbook of Children; as kids age, their use of mobile phones often create unexpected issues concerning child-parent relations, and peer-peer relationships because of their cell phone practices. To help parents and youth build a positive digital consciousness is my guest Richard Gary with the Institute for Responsible Online and Cellphone Communication, also known as IROC2.
During this podcast you will lean the following:
- The initial motivation to create the Institute for Responsible Online Cellphone Communication, also known as IROC2,
- What’s your target audience and what have you found to be the best way to reach them?
- Are all your services fee based or do you also offer free resources as well as are they offered virtually, in person or both?
- What should parents, school staff, after school practitioners and even peers be on the lookout to keep kids safe?
- The meaning for the term digital consciousness
- I see IROC2 also have podcast, what are some of the topics you discuss
- Any final comment you would love to share?
Resources
Richard Gary
Mike Wilson
Case for Kids
www.hcde-texas.org/afterschoolzone

Friday Sep 01, 2023
Friday Sep 01, 2023
This is our second episode in our series regarding interacting with youth during this age of technological advancement. The more digitally literate children become, the more likely they will learn skills which empowers them to avoid the numerous online risks. Unfortunately, as digital skills develop with use, inequalities persist due to social economic status, age and, to a lesser degree, gender. One organization providing workshops and resources and support for families, schools, businesses, charities, and not-for-profits, is the White Hatter.
During this podcast you will learn:
- What motivated the creation of the White Hatter
- What are the different topics you present for different age groups?
- What should people be on the lookout for to keep kids safe
- Are services offered virtually, in person or both
Resources
Brandon Laur is the CEO and instructor at The White Hatter,
1-855-478-9119
Mike Wilson
Case For Kids

Friday Aug 18, 2023
EP 125: Digital Literacy during the Technology Age
Friday Aug 18, 2023
Friday Aug 18, 2023
Today, the use of technology has grown exponentially and is commonplace in our everyday lives. However, without guidance and training from a caring adult, young people can unintentionally misuse their technological fluency as a valuable resource. To speak on living with teens in a digital age is Diana Graber. Diana is a digital literacy educator and advocate. She is the co-founder of Cyberwise, a leading online safety and digital literacy organization; and the founder of Cyber Civics, an innovative middle school digital citizenship and literacy program currently being taught in over 40 US states, as well as the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Africa.
During this episode you will learn about:
- What age should kids have their own electronic devices?
- A summary of "Cyber Civics" and "Digital Citizenship,” a Literacy Course for Middle School Students
- Why, it is important for parents, educators, and other caring adults to discuss the benefits and or dangers of technology
- The importance of understanding the term online reputation
Resources
Diana Graber
www.cyberwise.org
Mike Wilson
mwilson@hcde-texas.org

Monday Aug 07, 2023
Ep 124: Project Based Learning
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Today’s guest on the Making After School Cool Podcast is Ms. Maria Perez. For the last 6 months Maria has been working here with Case as a project-based learning associate. In fact I had to pleasure of assisting Maria with establishing a Youth oriented podcast created by kids. To share her xperience, and what’s it like to create project based learning activities for youth is my guest Maria Perez
During this podcast you will learn about the following:
- What are benefits for involving students in project-based learning activities
- What are key essential elements needed for students to be successful in a project- based learning activities
- How do students frequently respond to the opportunity to develop and create their own project
- What are potential challenges students may encounter with their projects
- Advice and resources for a person who would want to lead students project-learning activities
Resources
Mike Wilson
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids

Monday Jul 31, 2023
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Today’s episode of the Making After School Podcast focus on ways parents can support students' emotional and educational needs. My guest are my colleagues with CASE for Kids Azelia O’Neal and Jesus Urdiales and they play an important role involving empowering parents to support their kids educational needs. They are Family Engagement Specialist supporting our 21st Century Community Center Campuses.
During this podcast you will learn the following:
- The role parents play in regard to their child’s academic success
- Advice for working parent who want to show support of their child’s learning.
- Recommendation for parents when their child has exceeded the parents educational level
Resources
Mike Wilsopn - mwilson@hcde-texas.org
Azelia O'neal - AOneal@hcde-texas.org
Jesus Urdiales - Jesus.Urdiales@hcde-texas.org

Monday Jul 10, 2023
Ep 122: The Importance of Personal Development: Featuring Reggie Bisor
Monday Jul 10, 2023
Monday Jul 10, 2023
Motivation for students and adult can at times be a challenge. One resource adults and youth can use to stay on track is the Growth Times Infinity Podcast hosted by Reggie Bisor. This valuable resource provides guidance for people of all ages to develop personal, spiritual and mental strength to overcome obstacles and reach their goals.
During this podcast you will learn:
- Why it is important for youth to explore a variety of activities to discover different things they might enjoy
- Why is personal development an important aspect of life for students of all ages
- At what age should young people start exploring personal growth, as well as, how does personal development help them with other aspects of their life
- pointer regarding skills that could help anyone improve their performance, attitude or quality of life
Resources
The Growth Times Infinity Podcast
growthxinfinity.buzzsprout.com
Mike Wilson
mwilson@hcde-texas.org

Friday Jul 07, 2023
EP 121: Part 2 of Life Lessons Youth can Learn Throuigh Sports
Friday Jul 07, 2023
Friday Jul 07, 2023
This is part 2 part of a 2 part series regarding the life lessons youth can learn throuigh sports. Research shows that participating in youth sports can lead to immediate and long-term benefits for youth, their families, and communities. According to a study conducted by health.gov, 73 percent of parents believe that sports benefit their child’s mental health, lowers their depression and creates higher self-esteem and confidence in their children. This episode of the Making After School Cool Podcast features Joseph Harris the II who is the Founder of Illusion Institute Basketballbased in Houston, Texas.
During this podcast you will learn about the following:
- The role sports can play in a young person’s life
- The types of life lessons youth s can learn when they participate in sports
- How parents can support students to prepair for post seconday learning
Resources
Mike Wilson
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids

Thursday Jun 29, 2023
Ep 121: Teaching Life Lessons through Sports Featuring Joseph Harris II
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
This is part 1 of a 2 part series regarding the life lessons youth can learn throuigh sports. Research shows that participating in youth sports can lead to immediate and long-term benefits for youth, their families, and communities. According to a study conducted by health.gov, 73 percent of parents believe that sports benefit their child’s mental health, lowers their depression and creates higher self-esteem and confidence in their children. This episode of the Making After School Cool Podcast features Joseph Harris the II who is the Founder of Illusion Institute Basketballbased in Houston, Texas.
During this podcast you will learn about the following:
- The role sports can play in a young person’s life
- The types of life lessons youth s can learn when they participate in sports
- Why is an understanding of illusions important
- What is the scholarship blue print and why is it a valuable tool for student athletes and their parents
Resources
Mike Wilson
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids

Thursday Jun 15, 2023
Ep 120: Girls on the Run featuring Mary Mary Callahan
Thursday Jun 15, 2023
Thursday Jun 15, 2023
Today we are happy to feature a Houston area program Girls on the Run. Girls on the run as the name implies involves girls’ physical fitness but a whole lot more. The program provides Girls of all abilities learn the opportunity to embrace their inner strength and make meaningful connections with others. To tell us more about this amazing program is Mary Callahan CEO
During this episode you will learn more regarding the following:
- When was the organization established as well as its mission and purpose
- If Girls on the run is a local or national program
- Other aspect of the program beyond just teaching girls how to run
- Now you have programs for girls in grades 3-5 and 6-8 are there major differences between the two age groups
- Activities which encourage parents to be involved with their daughters
Resources
Girls on the Run
Girlsontherun.org
Mike Wilson
Harris County Department of Education
HCDE-texas.org
CASE for Kids
hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone

Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Preview Episode 120: Highlighting Girls on the Run featuring Mary Callahan
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Today we are previewing episode 119 of the Making After School Cool Podcast which features a Houston area program, Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run provides more than physical fitness but works with girls mental and social development. The program provides girls of all abilities the opportunity to embrace their inner strength and make meaningful connections with others. To tell us more about this amazing program is Mary Callahan CEO of Girls on the Run
As always, I want to thank our listeners for joining me today for this preview as we highlight Girls on the Run. Please join me for this episode and future episodes as we continue to explore issues relevant to the out of school time filed