Celebrating National STEM Day

November 8 is celebrated every year as National STEM Day—a day to acknowledge the vital role of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) in our daily lives and to inspire and encourage youth in these fields. Afterschool programs are a vital component of the STEM education ecosystem. They provide students with hands-on STEM learning and support a wide range of youth across the country in identifying with STEM, preparing for the workforce, and learning how to use STEM skills to tackle challenges their communities face. Afterschool STEM programs are often public-private partnerships that are locally driven and community-centered. They offer opportunities for career connections, including spaces for youth to engage with emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), situated in real-world local contexts. 

Every community increasingly needs STEM-literate citizens who can engage with and help solve critical issues that impact our society. Research shows that high-quality, expanded STEM learning opportunities can improve academic outcomes, increase college and career readiness, and foster positive youth development. STEM engagement is widespread in afterschool programs now, with 77% of parents saying afterschool programs help children gain interest and skills related to STEM. With students spending more than 80% of their waking hours outside of school, afterschool programs are recognized as crucial partners in STEM education. We must ensure these programs are sustainably supported and that every young person has access to high-quality programming.

In addition to exploring STEM with the youth in your lives, we encourage everyone to celebrate National STEM Day by reaching out to your local, state, and federal policymakers to share your own STEM education stories. By sharing your perspectives about the necessity of afterschool STEM and STEM education with our legislators, we can work together to ensure sustainable funding and support for years to come. 

The Afterschool STEM Hub has a suite of advocacy tools to help you in your advocacy journey. We have also teamed up with other organizations to advance advocacy for STEM education:

• We have launched a collaboration with the STEM Education Coalition and STEM Ecosystems to provide the monthly STEM Talk webinar. These conversations focus on federal policy updates impacting STEM education, along with practical strategies and actionable resources to help those working in STEM education stay informed about policy developments. 

• And, on October 20, we co-hosted the STEM Advocacy Experience, a collaborative effort between multiple allied organizations. As part of the STEM Learning Ecosystems annual convening, the Advocacy Experience convened nearly 200 STEM education leaders in Washington, D.C., for advocacy training. Participants left the training feeling empowered to talk with their Congressional and local policymakers about the vital role of their afterschool STEM programs in their local communities.

All young people must have access to high-quality STEM education in order to develop the workforce of the U.S., nurture a STEM-literate society, and utilize STEM to improve people’s lives. On this National STEM Day, let’s remind our leaders that we must invest in STEM education and afterschool STEM. 

Take action now for afterschool.
Take action now for STEM education.