Lights On Afterschool STEM extravaganza

With Lights On Afterschool season upon us and as the new STEM Hub Manager here at the Afterschool Alliance, I was eager to participate in an event elevating the value of STEM learning for youth at a young age. I was delighted to learn about and attend the inaugural STEM Extravaganza in Columbia, South Carolina on October 12. Elegantly coordinated by leaders within the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance, I had the pleasure of welcoming close to 600 students from eleven afterschool programs across the state. Some of the groups even attended from two hours away!

The event, celebrating the power of afterschool programming, was held at a local minor league baseball stadium. One of the first thing students got to see as they walked into the concourse was a row of microscopes and digital, interactive images of the human body. It was truly an engaging, hands-on STEM event for the youth, whose ages ranged from five years old to high school. Even more exciting was the number of young adults and college students participating at the exhibit booths. I had the pleasure of meeting one volunteer, Kyle, who is a local college student majoring in cybersecurity. He has had the opportunity, through the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance’s partnership with the University of South Carolina, to earn college credit while working with youth in afterschool programs at the YMCA, mentoring them and teaching them life skills.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Kohn, the “Science Lady,” a retired science teacher who has been offering enriching STEM activities for youth in afterschool programs ever since her retirement. During her tenure as a teacher, she inspired so many of her students to go into science fields and even had a student tell her that they majored in chemistry because of her. It really says something about the notable impact afterschool STEM programs have when retirees stay engaged to help spark an interest in STEM careers for youth.

You can learn more about the event, their sponsors, and exhibitors in the news — check out WACH's "Afterschool programs meeting students' needs" and The Post and Courier's "Commentary: Pandemic wreaked havoc on SC education. Here's what school can do."

Learn more about the state of afterschool programs in South Carolina.