STEM Resources
We know it can be daunting to figure out how to get started! Luckily, there are plenty of high-quality afterschool programming tools and resources out there. Here are a few of the best curricula, activities, lesson plans and other resources available to the field. Except where noted, these curriculum resources are free to use.
Contact your local Afterschool Ambassadors and state afterschool network for resources and program tools specific to your state and community. For even more current information and resources available, visit our blog.
Assessment Tools * Curriculum * Partners and Allies
Assessment Tools:
Evaluation and assessment are key to providing evidence of success and will help you make the case to funders, the media and the public about the positive impact that your STEM program is having on participants. Use these tools to measure your program's impact and outcomes.
 | PEAR's Assessment Tools in Informal Science is a searchable database of assessment tools for evaluating program quality and outcomes. |
 | Assessing Women and Men in Engineering Project is a set of surveys and assessment tools you can use to evaluate your afterschool STEM program. |
 | National Science Foundation's Framework for Evaluating Impacts of Informal Science Education Projects provides guidance on selecting methods to evaluate your informal science program. |
Curriculum:
 | Science After School Consumers Guide: A searchable guide to high-quality, hands-on science curricula that have been reviewed by content experts and afterschool providers. [A mixture of free and for-purchase] |
 | Thinkfinity: A searchable database of free lesson plans, activities and other resources for afterschool programs. |
 | Design Squad: 27 hands-on challenges to teach 9-12 year-olds about engineering design. Includes step-by-step instructions in both English and Spanish. |
 | SMILE: A National Science Foundation-funded collection of the best math and science activities designed especially for out-of-school-time settings. |
 | NASA Wavelength is an online collection of peer-reviewed Earth and space science resources for all grade levels and has resources specific to informal science environments. Explore the NASA Education site for many exciting ways to bring space science into your afterschool or summer program! |
 | FIRST Robotics: In addition providing to curricula, FIRST hosts many national robotics competitions that both inspire youth and provide a compelling demonstration of how science is applied in the real world.
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 | 4-H is making a bold push to engage 1 million new young people in science programs by 2013 and has a set of high-quality curricula you can download or order from their website. |
Partners and Allies:
Establishing partnerships with organizations is a great way to enhance your STEM programming. Universities and colleges, science centers and museums, federal science agencies, science and engineering professional societies, and other youth development groups all make strong partners. To find available partners, check out these resources:
 | National Lab Network: Formerly called National Lab Day, this is a nationwide initiative to build support within communities by matching educators with local volunteers, content experts and other resources in your area. Post a project description and what kinds of partners you're looking for: volunteers, scientists, engineers or even funding resources—all in your neck of the woods. Register on the site to learn more. |
 | National Girls Collaborative Project: An extraordinary resource for girl-serving organizations to talk to each other about their efforts to bring more girls and young women into the STEM pipeline. Check out their mini-grants to get a little pot of money to support your collaborative work. Also visit their FabFems website to find STEM professionals in your area ready to volunteer at your afterschool program! |
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Connect a Million Minds: An initiative from Time Warner Cable to connect students with afterschool STEM programs in their area. Search the "Connectory" for activities and resources in your community.
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There are many more organizations that can help you navigate this exciting field! Check out the ones below:
Last but not least, professional research scientists funded by the National Science Foundation and NASA are required to engage in education and public outreach efforts. They can make great partners in K-12 STEM education with their deep content understanding, experience with teaching and, most importantly, their desire to engage in meaningful education/outreach efforts. Don’t hesitate to contact science and engineering departments at local colleges or universities to ask if you can come in and have a conversation about your STEM programming needs.
