Lights On Afterschool

Afterschool Challenge

STEM

News Roundup

Archives:

Select:
Afterschool Alliance

House passes bill to change federal childcare operations

READ FULL STORY

House passes bill to change federal childcare operations

READ FULL STORY

RECENT AFTERSCHOOL SNACKS

In the Field

Sound Body Sound Mind: Proving that sports are about more than winning
In the Field

Welcome Laura Lim, our summer STEM intern!
News Roundup

Weekly Media Roundup: June 17, 2026
STEM

Setting up a site visit: Insights from an afterschool STEM program leader

FEATURED FOR Jun 23, 2026

Funding

After$chool Funding: Funding Spotlight: Michigan Invests In Afterschool

Posted On: 06/15/2026
Policy

Bipartisan Child Care Modernization Act introduced in the House

Posted On: 06/12/2026
Policy

Summer learning advocates share America After 3PM data, personal stories in Senate briefing

Posted On: 06/12/2026
Policy

Proposed OMB changes to federal grant rule could impact afterschool and summer learning programs

On May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released proposed revisions to the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance that would make significant changes to the “uniform...

News Roundup

Weekly Media Roundup: June 10, 2026

research

3 predictions for the upcoming summer

research

New briefs: Summertime for Black and Hispanic Families

Following the release of the America After 3PM summer special report, "The Summer Struggle for Everyday Families: Affording the Opportunities Parents Want for Youth," two new briefs,...

Policy

FY27 education spending bill passes House subcommittee, maintains afterschool funding

UPDATE: June 10, 2026: Late in the day on June 9, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act...

In the Field

Welcome Sam Lefkowitz, our Communications Intern!

News Roundup

Weekly Media Roundup: June 3, 2026

‘Emotionally Devastated.’ People Mourn Cuts to Subsidized Childcare in Tacoma, Tacoma News Tribune (Washington) For the past seven years, Tacoma Public Schools’ Beyond the Bell...

In the Field

How one Detroit program is changing the game for young athletes

The Afterschool Alliance has partnered with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to offer resources on the intersection of youth development and sports in afterschool. This content is cross-posted on...

Bipartisan Child Care Modernization Act introduced in the House

This week, a bipartisan group of representatives led by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie along with Reps. Kristen McDonald-Rivet (D-Mich.), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), and Susie Lee (D-Nevada) introduced the Child Care Modernization Act. The legislation would update the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/12/26

Proposed OMB changes to federal grant rule could impact afterschool and summer learning programs

On May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released proposed revisions to the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance that would make significant changes to the “uniform guidance” that governs federal grant management and the use of federal funds. These proposed...

BY: Steven Ramdilal      06/11/26

FY27 education spending bill passes House subcommittee, maintains afterschool funding

UPDATE: June 10, 2026: Late in the day on June 9, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act by a partisan vote of 34 to 28. The Senate is now expected to take up their FY27 Labor...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/05/26

Department of Education finalizes Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness Priorities

On April 13, the Department of Education finalized the Secretary's Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness. In connection with the final priority, the Department also released a Career Pathways Exploration Grant with applications due June 9. During...

BY: Jillian Luchner      05/28/26

Congressional budget battles put STEM education and afterschool programs at risk

By Della Cronin, Principal, Bose Public Affairs Group. The FY2027 budget and appropriations process could be one of the most consequential federal budget debates for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, scientific research, and afterschool learning in years. The...

BY: Guest Blogger      05/15/26

New legislation authorizes $10 billion a year for afterschool and summer learning

This month, Representatives Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), along with 9 other members of Congress, introduced the Afterschool for All Act (HR 8654). The Afterschool for All Act is new legislation that would authorize $10 billion in federal funding annually for 10 years for the 21st...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/12/26

Where things stand: FY2027 Appropriations Update

As Congress works through Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) appropriations, afterschool and summer learning programs are once again drawing broad bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. From Senate testimony to House spending debates, Members on both sides of the aisle are reaffirming the critical role these...

BY: Steven Ramdilal      05/05/26

Providers participating in child care subsidies show distinct offerings and needs in recent provider survey

Edge Research conducted a survey of over 1,000 afterschool providers between October and December 2025, as part of a wave of surveys the Afterschool Alliance has conducted since 2020. Overall, the survey found providers worried about program sustainability and the potential of losing funding, many...

BY: Jillian Luchner      04/30/26

Congress proposes changes to federal child care legislation with aim to support program integrity

In March, Congress turned its attention to federal child care funding integrity, considering proposals to modify the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), the guiding law for spending Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF). The terms CCDBG and CCDF are often used...

BY: Jillian Luchner      04/20/26

28 years of impact: 21st CCLC advancing afterschool and summer learning for millions of youth and families

Congress has maintained funding for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program for Fiscal Year 2026 at the current level of $1.329 billion. This reaffirms a strong, bipartisan federal commitment to afterschool and summer learning nationwide. The investment ensures...

BY: Steven Ramdilal      04/07/26

Welcome Laura Lim, our summer STEM intern!

Hi, my name is Laura Lim and I’m thrilled to be joining the Afterschool Alliance as an intern on the STEM Team! Through this role, I’ll be reading and researching about OST STEM and civics education, specifically looking into where they may differ from, align with, and enhance each...

BY: Guest Blogger      06/18/26

Setting up a site visit: Insights from an afterschool STEM program leader

Photo courtesy of Scientific Adventures for Girls By Amy Miller, Executive Director, Scientific Adventures for Girls. Scientific Adventures for Girls is an afterschool and summer STEM enrichment program that provides hands-on, project-based learning. Our programs encourage dialogue,...

BY: Guest Blogger      06/16/26

CYESS May resource round up: New data on summer, environmental action civics, and building the field

A compilation of upcoming opportunities, resources, and events relevant to out-of-school time practitioners in STEM, civics, and teen leadership for the month ahead. This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance’s Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative....

BY: Leah Silverberg      05/27/26

Use the afterschool STEM Talking Points in your messages to policymakers

This blog is part of our Advocating For Afterschool series, where we share tools and best practices to help make the case for afterschool to policymakers at the local, state, and national levels. To see more installments of the series, check out the Advocacy tag on The Afterschool...

BY: Leslie Brooks      05/26/26

Congressional budget battles put STEM education and afterschool programs at risk

By Della Cronin, Principal, Bose Public Affairs Group. The FY2027 budget and appropriations process could be one of the most consequential federal budget debates for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, scientific research, and afterschool learning in years. The...

BY: Guest Blogger      05/15/26

Department of Education finalizes rule on Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education

In April, the Department of Education (ED) announced its Final Priorities and Definitions for the Secretary's Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education (Docket ID ED-2025-OS-0118). Effective May 13, these priorities will guide ED in soliciting...

BY: Leslie Brooks      05/13/26

Youth voice in action!

From April 13–17, young people were center stage. Afterschool programs across the nation joined the Afterschool Alliance and the Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) to amplify the bold ideas and youth-led advocacy of students. We saw firsthand the real-world change...

BY: Maria Rizo      05/01/26

April CYESS roundup: Youth Voice Week recap, messaging for environmental literacy, and a survey to the field on AI

A compilation of upcoming opportunities, resources, and events relevant to out-of-school time practitioners in STEM, civics, and teen leadership for the month ahead. This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance’s Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative....

BY: Leah Silverberg      04/29/26

Messaging tool for STEM advocacy: Say This, Not That

This blog is part of our Advocating For Afterschool series, where we share tools and best practices to help make the case for afterschool to policymakers at the local, state, and national levels. To see more installments of the series, check out the Advocacy tag on The Afterschool Snack. If...

BY: Leslie Brooks      04/28/26

Make Games, Save the Planet: Young people as civic science leaders

By Alexis Kelley, Student, Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University; Gouri Nair, Student, Westwood High School; Iliana Rodriguez, Student, Arizona State University; Jaclyn Rodriguez, Student, Mesa Community College; Jackeline Santiago-Aguiluz, Student, Forensic...

BY: Guest Blogger      04/27/26

Weekly Media Roundup: June 17, 2026

Nashville Leaders Allocate $4 Million to Support Free After-School Programs for Kids, WSMV 4 (Tennessee) This week, the Nashville Metropolitan Council voted to allot more than $4.4 million to help more students access quality out-of-school time programs. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      06/17/26

Weekly Media Roundup: June 10, 2026

New Prince George’s Program Aims to Excite Kids About School and Reassure Parents, WTOP (Maryland) Thanks to federal funding, William Beanes Elementary School in Suitland, Maryland will offer an arts-based afterschool program this fall for pre-k through second grade students whose regular...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      06/10/26

Weekly Media Roundup: June 3, 2026

‘Emotionally Devastated.’ People Mourn Cuts to Subsidized Childcare in Tacoma, Tacoma News Tribune (Washington) For the past seven years, Tacoma Public Schools’ Beyond the Bell and Club B have provided thousands of elementary and middle school students with free or low-cost...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      06/03/26

Weekly Media Roundup: May 27, 2026

12.6M Kids Lack Access to Summer Programming, K-12 Dive According to the latest America After 3PM data released by the Afterschool Alliance last week, more than half of children in the United States whose parents want summer programs for them don’t have access, most often due to cost....

BY: Magen Eissenstat      05/27/26

Weekly Media Roundup: May 20, 2026

South Carolina Afterschool Alliance Launches “Healthy Futures Afterschool” Initiative to Support Youth Well-Being and Prevention, Midlands Biz (South Carolina) With funding from the Richland County Opioid Recovery Fund, the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance (SCAA) is launching the...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      05/20/26

Weekly Media Roundup: May 13, 2026

Former Professional Football Player Inspiring Next Generation with Afterschool Program, Spectrum News 13 (Florida) Former professional football player Jonathan Jones is giving back to the Orlando community by mentoring and inspiring students at the Levy Hughes Boys & Girls Club’s...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      05/13/26

Weekly Media Roundup: May 6, 2026

Wayfinders Opens Doors to Opportunity for Charlotte Students, WCNC (North Carolina) Wayfinders, a Charlotte, North Carolina nonprofit, helps 180 students in Mecklenburg County access summer camps, enrichment programs, career exposure and long-term mentorship from fourth through twelfth grade. By...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      05/06/26

Weekly Media Roundup: April 29, 2026

Chassell Township Schools Creates New After-School Program, Upper Michigan Source (Michigan) Thanks to funding from the Keweenaw Health Foundation, Chassell Township Schools in Laurium, Michigan will now offer an afterschool program called the Creative Claws Club, focused on hands-on, creative...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      04/29/26

Weekly Media Roundup: April 22, 2026

After-School Program Opens Pathways to Emerging Careers, C&G News (Michigan) Students in the Code586 afterschool program in Mount Clemens, Michigan get hands-on experience operating and maintaining quadcopter drones, playing fun games such as “drone basketball” to build skills...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      04/22/26

Weekly Media Roundup: April 15, 2026

Summer Learning Program Gets $2 Million Boost from Foellinger Foundation, The Journal Gazette (Indiana) Thanks to a $2 million grant from the Foellinger Foundation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, Indiana will offer free, five-week Summer Learning Lab programs at six different sites...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      04/15/26

Bipartisan Child Care Modernization Act introduced in the House

This week, a bipartisan group of representatives led by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie along with Reps. Kristen McDonald-Rivet (D-Mich.), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), and Susie Lee (D-Nevada) introduced the Child Care Modernization Act. The legislation would update the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/12/26

Proposed OMB changes to federal grant rule could impact afterschool and summer learning programs

On May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released proposed revisions to the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance that would make significant changes to the “uniform guidance” that governs federal grant management and the use of federal funds. These proposed...

BY: Steven Ramdilal      06/11/26

FY27 education spending bill passes House subcommittee, maintains afterschool funding

UPDATE: June 10, 2026: Late in the day on June 9, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act by a partisan vote of 34 to 28. The Senate is now expected to take up their FY27 Labor...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/05/26

Congressional budget battles put STEM education and afterschool programs at risk

By Della Cronin, Principal, Bose Public Affairs Group. The FY2027 budget and appropriations process could be one of the most consequential federal budget debates for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, scientific research, and afterschool learning in years. The...

BY: Guest Blogger      05/15/26

New legislation authorizes $10 billion a year for afterschool and summer learning

This month, Representatives Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), along with 9 other members of Congress, introduced the Afterschool for All Act (HR 8654). The Afterschool for All Act is new legislation that would authorize $10 billion in federal funding annually for 10 years for the 21st...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/12/26

House Education and Workforce Committee advances workforce bill

On April 21, the House Education and Workforce Committee passed H.R. 8210, A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, by a vote of 19-14, along party lines. This partisan legislation seeks to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the primary federal law governing our...

BY: Leslie Brooks      05/08/26

Where things stand: FY2027 Appropriations Update

As Congress works through Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) appropriations, afterschool and summer learning programs are once again drawing broad bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. From Senate testimony to House spending debates, Members on both sides of the aisle are reaffirming the critical role these...

BY: Steven Ramdilal      05/05/26

Congress proposes changes to federal child care legislation with aim to support program integrity

In March, Congress turned its attention to federal child care funding integrity, considering proposals to modify the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), the guiding law for spending Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF). The terms CCDBG and CCDF are often used...

BY: Jillian Luchner      04/20/26

How did afterschool STEM education fare in the FY2027 President’s Budget Request?

The President’s FY2027 budget request is out and, at first glance, it looks very similar to last year’s. At the Department of Education (ED), 17 grant programs that currently provide $6.5B in funding for a variety of services are proposed to be eliminated and consolidated into a new $2B...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      04/09/26

28 years of impact: 21st CCLC advancing afterschool and summer learning for millions of youth and families

Congress has maintained funding for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program for Fiscal Year 2026 at the current level of $1.329 billion. This reaffirms a strong, bipartisan federal commitment to afterschool and summer learning nationwide. The investment ensures...

BY: Steven Ramdilal      04/07/26

Bipartisan Child Care Modernization Act introduced in the House

This week, a bipartisan group of representatives led by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie along with Reps. Kristen McDonald-Rivet (D-Mich.), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), and Susie Lee (D-Nevada) introduced the Child Care Modernization Act. The legislation would update the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/12/26

Summer learning advocates share America After 3PM data, personal stories in Senate briefing

On Wednesday, June 10, the Senate Afterschool Caucus hosted a briefing for Congressional staff, Summer Learning & Afterschool: Supporting Students and Families Year-Round. The briefing spoke to the impact and importance of summer learning programs and detailed the recently...

BY: Jillian Luchner      06/12/26

FY27 education spending bill passes House subcommittee, maintains afterschool funding

UPDATE: June 10, 2026: Late in the day on June 9, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act by a partisan vote of 34 to 28. The Senate is now expected to take up their FY27 Labor...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/05/26

New legislation authorizes $10 billion a year for afterschool and summer learning

This month, Representatives Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), along with 9 other members of Congress, introduced the Afterschool for All Act (HR 8654). The Afterschool for All Act is new legislation that would authorize $10 billion in federal funding annually for 10 years for the 21st...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/12/26

House Education and Workforce Committee advances workforce bill

On April 21, the House Education and Workforce Committee passed H.R. 8210, A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, by a vote of 19-14, along party lines. This partisan legislation seeks to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the primary federal law governing our...

BY: Leslie Brooks      05/08/26

Where things stand: FY2027 Appropriations Update

As Congress works through Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) appropriations, afterschool and summer learning programs are once again drawing broad bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. From Senate testimony to House spending debates, Members on both sides of the aisle are reaffirming the critical role these...

BY: Steven Ramdilal      05/05/26

Congress proposes changes to federal child care legislation with aim to support program integrity

In March, Congress turned its attention to federal child care funding integrity, considering proposals to modify the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), the guiding law for spending Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF). The terms CCDBG and CCDF are often used...

BY: Jillian Luchner      04/20/26

How did afterschool STEM education fare in the FY2027 President’s Budget Request?

The President’s FY2027 budget request is out and, at first glance, it looks very similar to last year’s. At the Department of Education (ED), 17 grant programs that currently provide $6.5B in funding for a variety of services are proposed to be eliminated and consolidated into a new $2B...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      04/09/26

Administration’s FY 2027 “Skinny” Budget Proposal released: Eliminates dedicated funding for afterschool and summer

The President’s proposed “skinny” budget for fiscal year (FY) 2027, which would support education programs from summer 2027 through the end of the 2027-2028 school year, proposes to zero out funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), the only federal funding...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/03/26

Bipartisan legislation reintroduced to support young entrepreneurs

On March 23, Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) reintroduced the bipartisan 21st Century Entrepreneurship Act which seeks to connect students enrolled in 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) with mentors from the Service Corps of Retired...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/30/26

Summer learning advocates share America After 3PM data, personal stories in Senate briefing

On Wednesday, June 10, the Senate Afterschool Caucus hosted a briefing for Congressional staff, Summer Learning & Afterschool: Supporting Students and Families Year-Round. The briefing spoke to the impact and importance of summer learning programs and detailed the recently...

BY: Jillian Luchner      06/12/26

Proposed OMB changes to federal grant rule could impact afterschool and summer learning programs

On May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released proposed revisions to the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance that would make significant changes to the “uniform guidance” that governs federal grant management and the use of federal funds. These proposed...

BY: Steven Ramdilal      06/11/26

FY27 education spending bill passes House subcommittee, maintains afterschool funding

UPDATE: June 10, 2026: Late in the day on June 9, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act by a partisan vote of 34 to 28. The Senate is now expected to take up their FY27 Labor...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/05/26

New legislation authorizes $10 billion a year for afterschool and summer learning

This month, Representatives Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), along with 9 other members of Congress, introduced the Afterschool for All Act (HR 8654). The Afterschool for All Act is new legislation that would authorize $10 billion in federal funding annually for 10 years for the 21st...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/12/26

Where things stand: FY2027 Appropriations Update

As Congress works through Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) appropriations, afterschool and summer learning programs are once again drawing broad bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. From Senate testimony to House spending debates, Members on both sides of the aisle are reaffirming the critical role these...

BY: Steven Ramdilal      05/05/26

Providers participating in child care subsidies show distinct offerings and needs in recent provider survey

Edge Research conducted a survey of over 1,000 afterschool providers between October and December 2025, as part of a wave of surveys the Afterschool Alliance has conducted since 2020. Overall, the survey found providers worried about program sustainability and the potential of losing funding, many...

BY: Jillian Luchner      04/30/26

28 years of impact: 21st CCLC advancing afterschool and summer learning for millions of youth and families

Congress has maintained funding for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program for Fiscal Year 2026 at the current level of $1.329 billion. This reaffirms a strong, bipartisan federal commitment to afterschool and summer learning nationwide. The investment ensures...

BY: Steven Ramdilal      04/07/26

Administration’s FY 2027 “Skinny” Budget Proposal released: Eliminates dedicated funding for afterschool and summer

The President’s proposed “skinny” budget for fiscal year (FY) 2027, which would support education programs from summer 2027 through the end of the 2027-2028 school year, proposes to zero out funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), the only federal funding...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/03/26

Bipartisan legislation reintroduced to support young entrepreneurs

On March 23, Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) reintroduced the bipartisan 21st Century Entrepreneurship Act which seeks to connect students enrolled in 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) with mentors from the Service Corps of Retired...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/30/26

Proposed changes to federal grant system could impact funding for local programs

Earlier this winter, the General Services Administration proposed significant changes to the System for Award Management (SAM) - the online portal that nonprofits and other grantees use to manage grant programs with the federal government. The GSA, an independent agency that manages and...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/24/26

Setting up a site visit: Insights from an afterschool STEM program leader

Photo courtesy of Scientific Adventures for Girls By Amy Miller, Executive Director, Scientific Adventures for Girls. Scientific Adventures for Girls is an afterschool and summer STEM enrichment program that provides hands-on, project-based learning. Our programs encourage dialogue,...

BY: Guest Blogger      06/16/26

Use the afterschool STEM Talking Points in your messages to policymakers

This blog is part of our Advocating For Afterschool series, where we share tools and best practices to help make the case for afterschool to policymakers at the local, state, and national levels. To see more installments of the series, check out the Advocacy tag on The Afterschool...

BY: Leslie Brooks      05/26/26

Congressional budget battles put STEM education and afterschool programs at risk

By Della Cronin, Principal, Bose Public Affairs Group. The FY2027 budget and appropriations process could be one of the most consequential federal budget debates for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, scientific research, and afterschool learning in years. The...

BY: Guest Blogger      05/15/26

Department of Education finalizes rule on Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education

In April, the Department of Education (ED) announced its Final Priorities and Definitions for the Secretary's Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education (Docket ID ED-2025-OS-0118). Effective May 13, these priorities will guide ED in soliciting...

BY: Leslie Brooks      05/13/26

April CYESS roundup: Youth Voice Week recap, messaging for environmental literacy, and a survey to the field on AI

A compilation of upcoming opportunities, resources, and events relevant to out-of-school time practitioners in STEM, civics, and teen leadership for the month ahead. This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance’s Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative....

BY: Leah Silverberg      04/29/26

Messaging tool for STEM advocacy: Say This, Not That

This blog is part of our Advocating For Afterschool series, where we share tools and best practices to help make the case for afterschool to policymakers at the local, state, and national levels. To see more installments of the series, check out the Advocacy tag on The Afterschool Snack. If...

BY: Leslie Brooks      04/28/26

AI is driving federal STEM policy—but will informal learning be included?

By Della Cronin, Principal, Bose Public Affairs Group. Over the past month, federal STEM education policy has taken a decisive turn toward artificial intelligence (AI), digital literacy, and workforce development. A series of new initiatives, funding announcements, and high-level convenings...

BY: Guest Blogger      04/24/26

Finding the right words: A new tool for communicating your environmental programming work

April 22 is Earth Day, and afterschool STEM programs have much to contribute to this global day of awareness and action! From hands-on research and curiosity-driven exploration to youth-led civic action, afterschool programs across the country are engaging young people in meaningful environmental...

BY: Leslie Brooks      04/22/26

How CODE313’s afterschool STEAM programs are building futures

Photo credit: CODE313 By Lauryn Herron, Assistant to eXperience Director, CODE313. From early curiosity to career pathways in Detroit CODE313 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating equitable access to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education for...

BY: Guest Blogger      04/21/26

Grow math skills this spring! New Afterschool STEM Quarterly Research Report

Photo credit: National Museum of Mathematics (momath.org) The Afterschool STEM Hub, an initiative of the Afterschool Alliance, is delighted to share the spring 2026 edition of our Afterschool STEM Quarterly Research Review (ASQRR) newsletter. This newsletter aims to provide summaries of...

BY: Leslie Brooks      03/31/26