The Afterschool Alliance recently convened a half-day invitation-only meeting to discuss policy issues around STEM learning in afterschool.  Sponsored by the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation and Time Warner Cable, the convening was held in conjunction with the 10^th Annual Afterschool for All Challenge in Washington, D.C.  The goal of this policy convening was to define the role of afterschool in the national STEM education agenda and lay out policy recommendations to ensure that afterschool programs participate effectively and as full partners in STEM education.  See full program agenda

 

While afterschool programs already make significant contributions to STEM education, many experts recognize a need to reach consensus on a unique and clear niche for STEM learning in afterschool and to develop specific policy recommendations to move it forward.  This high-level meeting brought together diverse stakeholders from a variety of sectors, including youth-serving organizations, formal educations groups, philanthropic and corporate funders, government agencies, etc.  See full list of participating organizations

The discussions at the convening were framed around the current policy and political climate in Congress and focused on how to advance the field to be strong partners in STEM education.  Representatives from the Department of Education and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy emphasized their support for the afterschool space but stressed the importance of clear outcome indicators to demonstrate the impact of STEM learning in this setting.

The Afterschool Alliance is now in the process of incorporating the input received from the convening and generating concrete policy recommendations.  We are also embarking on some partnerships to address issues that came up at the convening such as defining quality and outcome indicators for STEM learning in afterschool.