Our SIG was founded in 2006 under the leadership of Sara Hill to "provide a forum for researchers in out-of-school time teaching and learning to share resources and become each others' resources; to provide venues and opportunities to present related research; to bring additional knowledge and resources to AERA." We continue to fulfill this purpose, and are pleased that the SIG is growing and strengthening as a core research group dedicated to OST issues.

We are pleased to announce that The Robert Bowne Foundation, who provided founding support for our SIG, has made a generous contribution toward our 10th anniversary. We thank Lena Townsend, Executive Director, the Board of Trustees (Jennifer Stanley, Suzanne Carothers, Jane Quinn, Susan Cummiskey, Andrew Fisher, Mitchell Lee, Robert Stonehill, and Cecilia Traugh), and staff (Anne Lawrence) at the Foundation for their continuous support. Our 10th anniversary celebration will follow our business meeting at the annual AERA meeting. Please be on a lookout for our celebration invitation.

What can you expect from the OST SIG during our 10th anniversary year? A continuation of our monthly e-newsletter, OST World: Research Connections; OST World, our Facebook page featuring daily OST news; @OSTSIG Twitter updates about our SIG and OST research; regular listserv announcement reading scholarship and professional development opportunities; and engaging, high-quality, and informative sessions at the next annual meeting. We will also launch this Spring an inaugural mentoring program for our SIG members, engaging emerging and established OST scholars in professional development. And, our annual award winners will be announced during the 2016 AERA meeting in Washington, DC.

As I conclude my term as your Chair, I want to thank each and every one of you for your support of the SIG and for your contribution to the OST scholarship. I would also like to thank our wonderful officers for their dedication and commitment to the SIG and look forward to another year of partnership. 

<read the 10th anniversary speech delivered during the 2016 AERA OST SIG celebration>

Warm regards,

Dr. Helen Janc Malone

AERA OST SIG Chair