Afterschool Research: STEM

Afterschool STEM: Re-engaging students in an equitable recovery

The hands-on learning approach of quality afterschool STEM programs offers a natural platform for reengaging students as they return to classrooms. Hands-on, project-based STEM learning in afterschool supports students in connecting what they learn in the classroom to future careers while developing a new generation of problem solvers in STEM fields.

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This is Afterschool STEM (2021)

An updated one-pager that makes the case for afterschool STEM using the latest research.

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Community STEM Collaborations that Support Children and Families

Youth are natural scientists at birth, discovering and exploring their world and trying to make sense of it. A child’s education is not limited to just the time they spend in the classroom. Children learn at home with their families, in public libraries, or through out-of-school-time experiences provided at community centers and in afterschool and summer learning programs, and even on vacations. In this paper, we endeavor to make the case that Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) is an ideal subject area that can engage children with fun, active learning activities. It is also an important societal area around which parents, librarians, and OST providers can collaborate and complement the work of schools.

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This is afterschool STEM (JUNE 2019)

A one-pager that makes the case for afterschool STEM using the latest research. 

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STEM Ready America: Inspiring and Preparing Students for Success with Afterschool and Summer Learning (March 2017)

STEM Ready America, a compendium from 40 authors, presents the evidence for how afterschool STEM programs are preparing young people to be successful in school today and the workforce tomorrow. In addition to current research, the compendium includes real-world examples of effective practices, programs, and partnerships.

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Students Achieve More with Afterschool STEM (June 2017)

A one-pager that makes the case for afterschool STEM using the latest research.

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Growing computer science education in afterschool: Opportunities and challenges (December 2016)

We asked the afterschool field about their familiarity and interest in computer science (CS) education, as well as the challenges to offering CS. The findings in this report provide K-12 CS education stakeholders with an understanding of how best to support the growth of quality, sustainable CS education within the afterschool field.

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Full STEM Ahead: Afterschool Programs Step Up as Key Partners in STEM Education (Sept 2015)

This report provides the first national look at access to afterschool STEM programs and parental attitudes towards such programs by outlining survey findings, identifying current challenges, and providing recommendations to improve afterschool STEM programming in the future. Full STEM Ahead is presented as part of the third edition of America After 3PM, which spans a decade of household survey data chronicling how children spend the hours between 3 and 6 p.m.

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Executive Summary

Examining the impact of afterschool STEM programs (July 2014)

Authors: Anita Krishnamurthi (Afterschool Alliance), Melissa Ballard (Afterschool Alliance), and Gil Noam (Program in Education, Afterschool and Resilency at Harvard University)

Afterschool programs that provide strong STEM learning experiences are making an impact on participating youth not only become excited and engaged in these fields but develop STEM skills and proficiencies, come to value these fields and their contributions to society, and -- significantly -- begin to see themselves as potential contributors to the STEM enterprise. This paper summarizes evaluation data from a selection of strong afterschool STEM programs, providing a snapshot of the types of substantive impacts afterschool programs are having on youth.

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What afterschool STEM does best: How stakeholders describe youth learning outcomes (Fall 2013)

Authors:  Anita Krishnamurthi (Afterschool Alliance), Bronwyn Bevan (Exploratorium), Jen Rinehart (Afterschool Alliance), & Vicky Ragan Coulon (Evaluation & Research Associates)

An articulation of how afterschool programs contribute to STEM interest, capacity and values in youth participants. From the Fall 2013 issue of Afterschool Matters.

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