Applications open for free summer immersion program from Girls Who Code

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

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

BY: Leah Silverberg 04/29/26

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

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

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

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

BY: Guest Blogger 06/16/26

Congressional budget battles put STEM education and afterschool programs at risk

BY: Guest Blogger 05/15/26

Department of Education finalizes rule on Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education

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

BY: Leah Silverberg 04/29/26

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

BY: Guest Blogger 04/24/26

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

BY: Leslie Brooks 04/22/26

How CODE313’s afterschool STEAM programs are building futures

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

New policy brief: Afterschool programs are essential partners to build AI literacy and proficiency

Photo Credit: Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania March 27 is Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy Day — a nationwide day of action dedicated to helping learners of all ages understand and navigate an increasingly AI-driven world. AI literacy is quickly becoming a foundational...

BY: Leslie Brooks 03/27/26

Federal STEM education policy in flux: What it means for afterschool and informal STEM learning

By Della Cronin, Principal, Bose Public Affairs Group. The federal STEM education landscape is entering a period of significant transition and uncertainty. For advocates of afterschool and informal science education, the current moment is defined by shifting National Science Foundation (NSF)...

BY: Guest Blogger 03/23/26

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

BY: Leah Silverberg 05/27/26

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

BY: Leah Silverberg 04/29/26

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

BY: Guest Blogger 04/27/26

March CYESS roundup: Youth Voice Week & the Supporting Afterschool STEM Educators Act

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. Where we've been Civic Learning Week National Forum [Philadelphia, PA | March 9–10]: CYESS presented a poster...

BY: Leah Silverberg 03/26/26

A nationwide survey of out-of-school time STEM programs’ community impact: Initial analysis

By Emily Howard, Graduate Student Researcher, and Katie Headrick Taylor, Associate Professor of Learning Sciences & Human Development, University of Washington, Seattle This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM &...

BY: Guest Blogger 03/19/26

We looked for research on youth shaping communities: here's what we found—and didn't find.

This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative, which showcases the systemic change young people can make in their communities when their afterschool programs support them to layer action onto their STEM...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi 03/12/26

February CYESS round up: STEM Talk Special Edition & grants for environmental ed

This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs highlights examples of programs working at the intersection of STEM and civic engagement. We are excited to showcase the systemic change young people...

BY: Leah Silverberg 02/26/26

When young people lead: Creating free, global platforms for youth innovation

By Juli Shively, Founder, Innovation World. This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs highlights examples of programs working at the intersection of STEM and civic engagement. We...

BY: Guest Blogger 02/10/26

CYESS monthly resource round up: January 2026

BY: Leah Silverberg 01/26/26

Youth-led STEM action: Turning curiosity into community change

By Scott Ganske, Vice President of Education at Youth Service America and CYESS Advisory Board member. This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs highlights examples of programs working at...

BY: Guest Blogger 01/22/26

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

BY: Leah Silverberg 04/29/26

How the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA are paving AI futures with teens

Photo credit: Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania By Amanda Sullivan of the National Girls Collaborative Project Reaching and supporting older youth through afterschool STEM requires creativity and adaptive models. This blog is part of a series showcasing afterschool programs...

BY: Guest Blogger 11/21/25

July resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Professional Development Opportunities Making Connections to STEM Careers with Click2Science This series of short, online video tutorials help afterschool programs connect their STEM programming to the work of STEM professionals and help youth experience the practical application of STEM...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke 07/01/25

Launch real-world learning in just 4 sessions with Mini Technovation

By Jenna Boles, Content Strategist at Technovation. This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs highlights examples of programs working at the intersection of STEM and civic...

BY: Guest Blogger 06/10/25

June assets from Million Girls Moonshot

Professional Development Opportunities Free STEM Coaching from ACRES The ACRES project is now offering all STEM coaching materials for FREE—giving leaders like you the tools and resources to keep reflecting on the STEM lessons offered at your sites and within your programs. Check out...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke 06/03/25

Million Girls Moonshot resources for March

Pi Day is March 14! Professional Development Opportunities Free DNA Science Resources The Future is Bright! From developing cures for cancer to solving the world’s food crisis, genomics is full of meaningful and exciting career opportunities. These roles are critical to...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke 02/27/25

December resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Trainings for December 2024 ACRES Coaching: Elevating Youth Voice and Choice Wednesdays, 12/4, 12/18 1-3 p.m. EST / 10 - noon PST How often do youth in your program get to choose what they’re investigating or designing, the materials they might use and/or how they engage with the...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke 12/02/24

October resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Trainings for October 2024 Techbridge Girls: Become a Certified Techbridge Girls STEM Curriculum Facilitator October 16: Applications Open October 30: Information Session. REGISTER. Using a blend of theory and application, youth instructors become certified in delivering Techbridge...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke 10/07/24

August resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Trainings for August 2024 ACRES Coaching: Making Math Engaging Thursdays: 8/22, 9/5, 9/19/2024 1:00 - 3:00 pm EST / 10:00 am- Noon PST Are you looking for fun ways to help youth build number sense and problem-solving skills? Math can take on new meaning when it is integrated into daily...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke 08/06/24

Highlights from the Flight Crew Experience at Girls Build Solutions 2024

After six months of virtual programming as members of the Million Girls Moonshot 2024 Flight Crew, from June 24 to 26, 2024, young STEM advocates met in-person at Girls Build Solutions (GBS) 2024! The Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew, launched by STEM Next Opportunity to engage millions more...

BY: Elizabeth Bannan 07/09/24

Congressional budget battles put STEM education and afterschool programs at risk

BY: Guest Blogger 05/15/26

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

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi 04/09/26

Federal STEM education policy in flux: What it means for afterschool and informal STEM learning

BY: Guest Blogger 03/23/26

Supporting Afterschool STEM Educators Act introduced in the Senate

In September 2025, the Afterschool STEM Hub released a report highlighting the challenges that many afterschool STEM programs face in recruiting, developing, and retaining qualified educators. The report revealed that educators need access to high-quality STEM professional development and...

BY: Leslie Brooks 03/10/26

Afterschool STEM Policy Landscape: Appropriations

The current fiscal year ends on September 30 and Congress needs to negotiate and appropriate federal funding levels by that deadline to avoid a shutdown. This is important for afterschool STEM because funding for programs, research, support, and partnerships come through a variety of agencies and...

BY: Leslie Brooks 09/12/25

Congressional Appropriations Committees Mark Up FY2026 Commerce, Justice, Science Funding Bill

UPDATE August 4, 2025: Within the past couple of weeks, both the Senate and the House Appropriations Committees released report language for each respective FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) funding bills. We have updated the Notes: *Senate report language included strong support...

BY: Leslie Brooks 07/17/25

Budget details confirm scope of cuts to afterschool STEM education

The White House released details of its FY26 budget late on Friday and the cuts to afterschool overall and to STEM education are as bad as we projected earlier this month. They are devastating for afterschool and for STEM education overall and comes as the evidence for the importance of afterschool...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi 05/31/25

Afterschool STEM programs threatened by cuts and budget proposal

Children building and launching rockets. Youth learning about our planet’s environment and designing projects to clean the air and water in their communities. Teens gaining hands-on experience with coding to solve real challenges in the world. Young people inspired by engaging with NASA...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi 05/02/25

Department of Education finalizes rule on Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education

BY: Leslie Brooks 05/13/26

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

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi 04/09/26

Federal STEM education policy in flux: What it means for afterschool and informal STEM learning

BY: Guest Blogger 03/23/26

Department of Education finalizes rule on meaningful learning opportunities priority

Photo by Andy Feliciotti on Unsplash In February, the Department of Education (ED) announced its Final Priorities and Definitions for the Secretary's Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Meaningful Learning Opportunities (Docket ID ED-2025-OS-0680). Effective March 16, these priorities...

BY: Leslie Brooks 03/16/26

White House releases AI Action Plan

The White House recently released its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan to achieve the policy objectives outlined in President Trump’s Executive Order 14179, “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence.” The executive order directed the creation of...

BY: Leslie Brooks 08/26/25

Budget details confirm scope of cuts to afterschool STEM education

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi 05/31/25

Afterschool STEM programs threatened by cuts and budget proposal

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi 05/02/25

Congressional budget battles put STEM education and afterschool programs at risk

BY: Guest Blogger 05/15/26

March CYESS roundup: Youth Voice Week & the Supporting Afterschool STEM Educators Act

BY: Leah Silverberg 03/26/26

Supporting Afterschool STEM Educators Act introduced in the Senate

BY: Leslie Brooks 03/10/26

White House releases AI Action Plan

BY: Leslie Brooks 08/26/25

Department of Labor releases new “Talent Strategy”: Opportunities for afterschool programs

As the school year begins, a recently released document from the Administration deserves some attention. Titled “America’s Talent Strategy: Building the Workforce for the Golden Age,” it describes the Trump Administration’s strategy to “Make America Skilled...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi 08/21/25

Budget details confirm scope of cuts to afterschool STEM education

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi 05/31/25

Archives: