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February resources from Million Girls Moonshot

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February resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Trainings for February 2024

Click2Engineering: Asking Purposeful Questions Coaching

2/1; 2/15; 3/7 from 12:00 - 2:00pm EST / 9:00 - 11:00am PST

Click2Engineering is offering an ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM) training on Asking Purposeful Questions in February and March 2024. ACRES supports educators who engage youth in STEM learning experiences. This training is fully virtual and FREE with the goal of moving the needle on your skills to facilitate quality STEM experiences regardless of the age of youth you serve. We keep things casual but ask you to engage in your learning - this is NOT a series of passive webinars but a three-step interactive professional learning series to build your skills, network, and apply your learning in an immediate way to your work environment. Space is limited. Register.

Click2ComputerScience: Building Strong Teen Leaders

February 14th 12:00 - 1:30pm EST / 9:00 - 10:30am PST

Prepare yourself to support the growth and development of young staff members and teen volunteers. This workshop will provide resources, strategies, and ideas from the Click2ComputerScience team and an engaging discussion with colleagues. REGISTER

ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions

Wednesdays: 2/28, 3/13, 4/3/2024 1:00 - 3:00 pm EST / 10:00 - 12:00 pm PST

Questions begin a path toward discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice.  This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. REGISTER Code: AC347PQ (Coach Becky T)

Transformative Practices for 2024

The Million Girls Moonshot aims to raise awareness of the following four research-based practices — Equity and Inclusion, Engineering Mindsets, Role Model, Mentors, and Families, and STEM Pathways and Transition — proven to remove barriers to access and quality STEM learning experiences. Resources, toolkits, blogs, and activities that elevate these four Transformative Practices can be found below and on the Million Girls Moonshot Toolkit

Equity and Inclusion

  • Access to STEM Framework: To improve the overall quality of out-of-school STEM programs, we need to address how program providers design and implement programming to increase access in STEM for youth who have been underrepresented in the STEM fields. Partnering with the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) and national experts, we have developed an Access to STEM Framework — a guide for supporting program providers in this transformation. Download the Framework. Dive into the three main components of the Framework below:
    • Increasing Access - Strategies that address barriers to participation and build on the experiences within the community.
    • Youth Centric - Strategies that build on the specific strengths, needs, and challenges of youth.
    • Skill Development - Strategies that are personally relevant to youth and enable them to develop STEM and 21st century skills.
  • The Black Girls Create Project: A Pilot Culturally Responsive Informal STEM Learning Program:  The program model encourages (1) the use of social history (i.e., learning about Black women's contributions to STEM), (2) culturally responsive instruction (i.e., anchoring STEM learning within the cultural context of girls’ lives), (3) mentorship from young, diverse scientific role models, and (4) the development of transferable STEM skills through design and digital fabrication.
  • NGCP Webinar: Choosing Toys to Inspire Young Girls in STEM - Science and engineering toys have a long history of being marketed to boys. Now, toy designers – and the parents and caregivers purchasing toys – are moving toward more equitable options regarding STEM toy offerings and the type of play that young children are encouraged to engage in. In this webinar recording, learn about research, resources, and innovative new toys to support girls' playful learning of the STEM skills they need to reach their full potential.

Engineering Mindsets

  • Engineering Mindset Overview: An engineering mindset refers to the attitudes and thinking skills associated with engineering — using a systematic engineering design process, considering real-world problems, applying math and science, and working in teams. The Moonshot focuses on 10 engineering practices. An overview of each practice follows and subsequent briefs will explore each one individually.
  • Engineering Design Process: This resource helps educators understand the design process and how to facilitate engineering activities with youth in their programs. Offers printable posters and resources to display in the classroom.
  • What is Engineering Design and the Engineering Design Process: One stop shop for Engineering including what is engineering, who are engineers and what they do and the Engineering Design process including videos and posters to help explain the process to youth and where to start.
  • A Million Miles Away Viewing Guide: NGCP developed an Educational Viewing Guide to accompany the film A Million Miles Away to support families, educators, and youth themselves to explore a range of STEM concepts and ideas related to space while also taking time to reflect on their dreams and future aspirations. The guide includes discussion questions for elementary, middle, and high school audiences, hands-on activities, and resources for families, youth, and educators to continue exploring space-related STEM concepts, projects, and careers.

Role Models, Mentors, and Families

Role models, mentors, and family engagement in a young person’s STEM education leads to increased interest, greater self-confidence, and ultimately a stronger STEM identity. Developing a science-related identity increases the likelihood that students will work toward developing science literacy, or even pursue a career in a science or STEM-related field.

  • Role Models Matter and Mentoring Works!: The National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity believes that one of the most effective ways to encourage students to consider nontraditional careers is to introduce them to diverse role models, particularly role models. This webpage serves as a resource for educators seeking STEM role models and mentors for their students.
  • Women of Color in STEM: The Past, Present, and Future: Learn about women who were ground breakers in STEM, organizations that support women in STEM and are approachable by educators, conferences, and a description of the educational path to STEM.
  • 50 Black Women in STEM You Should Know About:  Learn about 50 amazing women who are role models for success in STEM.  Photos, biographies, and links to additional information can be found here.
  • STEM Family Engagement Planning Tool: A planning tool to support programs in uplifting and empowering all youth and families in STEM.

ASSETS FROM THE IF/THEN® COLLECTION

These assets featuring IF/THEN® Ambassadors Adriana Bailey, Atmospheric Scientist, and Bea Mendez-Gandica, Security Engineer, can be used in marketing, social media, and conference presentations.

STEM Pathways and Transitions

Research tells us that continuous engagement and exposure rather than limited one-time opportunities are needed to nurture the interest and motivation necessary for children to pursue STEM pathways long term. The Moonshot aims to understand and support transitions and handoffs that remove barriers for youth by connecting STEM learning across ages and settings, ensuring youth interest and motivation persists.

  • Possible Futures — Career Exploration Curriculum: Open source curriculum that complements and enriches both school and afterschool settings 1) expanding career awareness through authentic experiential learning opportunities; 2) encouraging students to explore their diverse interests, talents, and options; 3) enlivening STEM subjects by bringing in real-world and career contexts; 4) empowering students to develop vital employability skills; and 5) engaging students in making informed choices.

Below are some adaptations of the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum specifically for afterschool and summer programs:

  • Career Literacy: Three units that combine the units Skills for Success and Lenses on the Future (from Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum). The units also provide a model for aligning Possible Futures with state Career Literacy Standards and the development of required individual student postsecondary plans.
  • Growing Myself: Twelve lessons that combine the Self unit from Lenses on the Future and the Growth Mindset unit from Skills for Success from the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum.
  • The Connected Learning Research Network: Reflections on a Decade of Engaged Scholarship: This report from the Connected Learning Research Network (CLRN) presents a vision for understanding and revitalizing the ways in which we support learning during these changing times. This report synthesizes a varied set of content and perspectives: empirical research on the changing landscape of new media and learning, design principles, evaluation approaches, learner and case studies oriented to identifying and spreading positive innovations.
  • Toolkit: Brokering Youth Pathways: A Toolkit for Connecting Youth to Future Opportunities: A Hive Research Lab toolkit to explore the various ways in which out-of-school educators and professionals have approached the challenge of brokering - supporting the identity development, social capital building and long-term, interest-driven learning across settings actively connecting program participants to new learning opportunities.

Activities for February 2024

  • 3D Printing by Hand: Students will explore how 3D printers work. Then, working in pairs, they will use the same methods used by 3D printers to create a 3D model of an object. This comes with a video for educators and a complete lesson plan.
  • Experiment with Parachutes: In this aerodynamics science project, kids test whether the size of the parachute is important for slowing down the speed of the fall. They make a series of parachutes from small to large and test how quickly they fall from the same height.
  • Marble Run Kit & Caboodle Activity: Don’t be misled by the word “kit” in the title!  This activity plan uses easy to find materials to make a marble run (think marble roller coaster!).  The “kit” is a complete lesson plan and video.
  • 12 Great Ideas for Engineers Week: These quick, easy to implement, and fun activities highlight design process and engineering principles.  Materials are easy to find at the grocery store or in the afterschool setting.

Afterschool STEM Hub’s Transition Memo to the Trump Administration

Photo courtesy of Million Girls Moonshot. Happy New Year, everyone! As we move into 2025, we at the Afterschool STEM Hub are gearing up to engage with the new Presidential Administration and the 119th Congress to continue advancing afterschool STEM. Our complex and changing world demands both...

BY: Leslie Brooks      01/30/25

Supporting youth to improve community well-being through afterschool programs

I am starting 2025 with gratitude to be part of a team and a field that is committed to supporting young people on their journey through life. Many young people have a great desire to make the world a better place, both in the here and now, and in the future. But too often, they are left out of...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      01/23/25

Empowering future innovators through Invention Education

Photo: Nicolette Buonora and Lauren Strechay with their invention, Battery Swap. By Samantha Rhoads, inHub Marketing Specialist at The Henry Ford. This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative. This...

BY: Guest Blogger      01/13/25

Afterschool STEM Hub year in review

As 2024 comes to a close, the Afterschool STEM Hub is reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the year ahead. In working toward our vision of a STEM learning ecosystem where high-quality afterschool programs are well-resourced and accessible for all youth, we leveraged collaborative...

BY: Leslie Brooks      12/18/24

Final Afterschool STEM Quarterly Research Review of 2024 - A focus on youth-led community impact

As 2024 comes to a close, we are delighted to share the winter edition of the Afterschool STEM Quarterly Research Review (ASQRR) with you! This newsletter aims to provide you with summaries of recent research from the field of afterschool, summer, and out-of-school time science, technology,...

BY: Leslie Brooks      12/16/24

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

Exploring STEM career pathways in afterschool

Photo courtesy of the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance By Hannah Lakin, ACRES coach at the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance. Without clear pathways into STEM careers, many young people—especially those from underrepresented communities—are missing out on opportunities...

BY: Guest Blogger      11/26/24

Launching EcoGIS: Mapping environmental justice and beyond

By Leah Boveda, Development and Comunications Intern at trubel&co. 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...

BY: Guest Blogger      11/19/24

GenAI in education: Potential and guardrails

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock By An-Me Chung, Director and Strategic Advisor, New America. Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), a type of AI that can create new content, has sparked both excitement and trepidation in formal and informal education settings. Like many, we at New America...

BY: Guest Blogger      11/18/24

Inspiring Hispanic students through SHPE’s Virtual STEM Lab

Photo courtesy of Deanna Drako, Manager, Research & Impact, SHPE By Mariana Acuña Delgado, Director, Government Relations & Public Affairs, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). Early exposure to STEM degrees and careers is crucial for increasing the likelihood of...

BY: Guest Blogger      11/06/24

Afterschool STEM Hub’s Transition Memo to the Trump Administration

Photo courtesy of Million Girls Moonshot. Happy New Year, everyone! As we move into 2025, we at the Afterschool STEM Hub are gearing up to engage with the new Presidential Administration and the 119th Congress to continue advancing afterschool STEM. Our complex and changing world demands both...

BY: Leslie Brooks      01/30/25

Supporting youth to improve community well-being through afterschool programs

I am starting 2025 with gratitude to be part of a team and a field that is committed to supporting young people on their journey through life. Many young people have a great desire to make the world a better place, both in the here and now, and in the future. But too often, they are left out of...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      01/23/25

Afterschool STEM Hub year in review

As 2024 comes to a close, the Afterschool STEM Hub is reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the year ahead. In working toward our vision of a STEM learning ecosystem where high-quality afterschool programs are well-resourced and accessible for all youth, we leveraged collaborative...

BY: Leslie Brooks      12/18/24

Exploring STEM career pathways in afterschool

Photo courtesy of the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance By Hannah Lakin, ACRES coach at the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance. Without clear pathways into STEM careers, many young people—especially those from underrepresented communities—are missing out on opportunities...

BY: Guest Blogger      11/26/24

GenAI in education: Potential and guardrails

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock By An-Me Chung, Director and Strategic Advisor, New America. Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), a type of AI that can create new content, has sparked both excitement and trepidation in formal and informal education settings. Like many, we at New America...

BY: Guest Blogger      11/18/24

Inspiring Hispanic students through SHPE’s Virtual STEM Lab

Photo courtesy of Deanna Drako, Manager, Research & Impact, SHPE By Mariana Acuña Delgado, Director, Government Relations & Public Affairs, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). Early exposure to STEM degrees and careers is crucial for increasing the likelihood of...

BY: Guest Blogger      11/06/24

Astronauts in afterschool

Photo by History in HD on Unsplash Astronauts have been taking over afterschool lately! NASA and the Department of Education recently announced the renewal of their partnership to bring space education directly into 21st Century Community Learning Centers for the 2024-2025 school year. Selected...

BY: Leslie Brooks      10/15/24

Celebrate Digital Inclusion Week

While you might already be aware of October being the month for celebrating Lights On Afterschool, did you know there is another celebration happening as well? Digital Inclusion Week is October 7 to 11 this year, but it is being honored the entire month of October. Similar to how Lights On...

BY: Leslie Brooks      10/08/24

As Congress returns to Washington, STEM advocates seek adequate funding

As the summer ends, members of Congress, their staff, and advocates for many causes are getting ready for the next steps in the FY 2025 budget and appropriations process. When Congress adjourned for its annual August recess, the House had passed five of the twelve annual spending bills, while the...

BY: Leslie Brooks      09/13/24

Just in time for school: New Afterschool STEM Quarterly Research Review!

The Afterschool STEM Hub, an initiative of the Afterschool Alliance, is happy to share the fall edition of our Afterschool STEM Quarterly Research Review newsletter with the afterschool community! This newsletter aims to provide you with summaries of recent research from the field of afterschool,...

BY: Leslie Brooks      09/09/24

Supporting youth to improve community well-being through afterschool programs

I am starting 2025 with gratitude to be part of a team and a field that is committed to supporting young people on their journey through life. Many young people have a great desire to make the world a better place, both in the here and now, and in the future. But too often, they are left out of...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      01/23/25

Empowering future innovators through Invention Education

Photo: Nicolette Buonora and Lauren Strechay with their invention, Battery Swap. By Samantha Rhoads, inHub Marketing Specialist at The Henry Ford. This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative. This...

BY: Guest Blogger      01/13/25

Launching EcoGIS: Mapping environmental justice and beyond

By Leah Boveda, Development and Comunications Intern at trubel&co. 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...

BY: Guest Blogger      11/19/24

Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society: Our Theory of Change

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

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      10/01/24

New resource database for programs interested in STEM, civic engagement, and youth empowerment

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...

BY: Leah Silverberg      08/05/24

Youth voice in afterschool STEM: Peeking behind the curtain

STEM learning in afterschool has really taken off over the past decade and there is little doubt of the importance of these spaces for engaging young people with STEM. The most recent America After 3PM study tells us that 73% of afterschool programs offer STEM and that 72% of parents look for these...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      06/27/24

Afterschool programs fill the AI skills gap

By Audra Darbyshire, Creative Manager 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      06/06/24

Sustainability, systems thinking, and the ocean

Photo credit: Smithsonian Institution By Heidi Gibson, Manager, Global Sustainability Series, Smithsonian Science Education Center This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs...

BY: Guest Blogger      05/20/24

Sustainability, systems thinking, and the ocean

Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution. By Heidi Gibson, Manager, Global Sustainability Series, Smithsonian Science Education Center. This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative. This series of...

BY: Guest Blogger      05/20/24

Youth Action for the Planet

Photo Credit: California Academy of Sciences By Aleks Liou, Program Manager at Youth Action for the Planet. 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...

BY: Guest Blogger      04/30/24

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

July resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Trainings for July 2024 ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions Mondays: 7/8, 7/22, and 8/5/2024 2:00- 4:00 pm EST / 11:00 am- 1:00 pm PST Questions begin a path toward discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      07/02/24

June resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Trainings for June 2024 ACRES Coaching: Make Math Engaging Mondays: 6/3, 6/17, and 7/1 at 10AM- 12PM EST / 7AM - 9:00AM 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 routines in...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      06/03/24

Sustainability, systems thinking, and the ocean

Photo credit: Smithsonian Institution By Heidi Gibson, Manager, Global Sustainability Series, Smithsonian Science Education Center This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs...

BY: Guest Blogger      05/20/24

May resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Trainings for May 2024 ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions Wednesdays: 5/8, 5/22, 6/5/2024 2:00 - 4:00 pm EST / 11:00 - 1:00 pm PST Questions begin a path toward discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      05/13/24

Million Girls Moonshot resources for April

Trainings for April  2024 ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions Tuesdays: 4/16, 4/30, and 5/14/2024 11:00 am- 1:00 pm EST / 8:00 - 10:00 am PST Questions begin a path toward discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      04/04/24

Million Girls Moonshot resources for March

Trainings for March 2024 ACRES Coaching: Make Math Engaging Wednesdays: 3/20 and 4/3/2024, 2 - 4 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 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 routines...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      03/07/24

Sustainability, systems thinking, and the ocean

Photo credit: Smithsonian Institution By Heidi Gibson, Manager, Global Sustainability Series, Smithsonian Science Education Center This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs...

BY: Guest Blogger      05/20/24

Youth Action for the Planet

Photo Credit: California Academy of Sciences By Aleks Liou, Program Manager at Youth Action for the Planet. 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...

BY: Guest Blogger      04/30/24

An afterschool STEM advocacy story

Photo courtesy of California Academy of Sciences By Rachael Van Schoik, Science Action Club Manager, California Academy of Sciences. My advocacy story is Science Action Club’s (SAC) advocacy story. A program within the California Academy of Sciences, a world renowned museum and research...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/15/24

Guest blog: Creating tomorrow’s engineers with Design Squad Latinx

By Nicki Sirianni, Education Outreach and Marketing Manager of GBH Education. Government, industry, research, and education leaders all agree that a strong engineering workforce is an essential part of the future economy in the U.S. and across the globe. Despite the need for more engineers,...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/04/24

Youth at the helm: Exploring sustainability through teen-led initiatives

By Lindsey DeLorey, Public Events and Youth Programs Coordinator at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. 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...

BY: Guest Blogger      02/23/24

Are you ready for the April 8 total solar eclipse?

Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash. By Dennis Schatz, Institute for Learning Innovation and past president of the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA). Do you remember the excitement around the 2017 total solar eclipse? Well, it is going to happen again on Monday, April 8 of this...

BY: Guest Blogger      02/15/24

Power up afterschool learning with the 4-H STEM Challenge

By Michael Compton, STEM Integrated Marketing Manager at National 4-H Council. The acronym STEM refers to the four disciplines of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics. STEM is a popular content area to engage young people in exciting, engaging, hands-on learning...

BY: Guest Blogger      09/12/23

Clemson University Science Outreach Center develops graphic novel to inspire youth-led STEM Justice initiatives

By Renée Lyons,  Director of Science Outreach for Clemson University’s College of Science This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's new “Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society” (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs highlights...

BY: Guest Blogger      06/30/23

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

July resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Trainings for July 2024 ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions Mondays: 7/8, 7/22, and 8/5/2024 2:00- 4:00 pm EST / 11:00 am- 1:00 pm PST Questions begin a path toward discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      07/02/24

Sustainability, systems thinking, and the ocean

Photo credit: Smithsonian Institution By Heidi Gibson, Manager, Global Sustainability Series, Smithsonian Science Education Center This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs...

BY: Guest Blogger      05/20/24

Power up afterschool learning with the 4-H STEM Challenge

By Michael Compton, STEM Integrated Marketing Manager at National 4-H Council. The acronym STEM refers to the four disciplines of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics. STEM is a popular content area to engage young people in exciting, engaging, hands-on learning...

BY: Guest Blogger      09/12/23

Building Capacity for Youth Climate Leadership and Action through Youth Climate Summits

Photo courtesy of The Wild Center. By Elodie Linck, The Jeanne Hutchins Youth Climate Coordinator at The Wild Center This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's new “Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society” (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs...

BY: Guest Blogger      07/11/23

Supporting youth to improve community well-being through afterschool programs

I am starting 2025 with gratitude to be part of a team and a field that is committed to supporting young people on their journey through life. Many young people have a great desire to make the world a better place, both in the here and now, and in the future. But too often, they are left out of...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      01/23/25

Sustainability, systems thinking, and the ocean

Photo credit: Smithsonian Institution By Heidi Gibson, Manager, Global Sustainability Series, Smithsonian Science Education Center This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs...

BY: Guest Blogger      05/20/24

Teen Science Cafés: Teens and STEM experts exploring our world together

Photo courtesy of Louisa Otto, Sanford PROMISE Teen Science Café. By Katey Ahmann, Director of Teen Science Café Network and Kristin Bayans, Manager of Network Engagement at Teen Science Café Network. This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's Collective for...

BY: Guest Blogger      01/25/24

It’s time for takeoff! Applications for the 2024 Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew open on International Day of the Girl

By Veronica Gonzales, STEM Next Opportunity Fund. The Million Girls Moonshot is looking for afterschool STEM champions to join the 2024 Flight Crew! The Moonshot has launched a nation-wide search for the Flight Crew - a group of youth advocates promoting the value of out-of-school STEM learning...

BY: Guest Blogger      10/11/23

Building Capacity for Youth Climate Leadership and Action through Youth Climate Summits

Photo courtesy of The Wild Center. By Elodie Linck, The Jeanne Hutchins Youth Climate Coordinator at The Wild Center This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's new “Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society” (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs...

BY: Guest Blogger      07/11/23