STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math
Why STEM in Afterschool?
Afterschool programs activate learning in science, technology, engineering and math—what is called “STEM.” Afterschool and summer programs spark learning by letting children and youth experiment with STEM ideas in real-world, hands-on situations. Such opportunities help spark curiosity, especially for those who might not think of themselves as “math and science kids.” See our 1 page overview about how Afterschool & Summer programs support STEM skill development in Oregon.
STEM Webpage Topics
What’s keeping you from implementing high-quality STEM activities in your programs? Below you will find common challenges we have heard from youth educators. Each dropdown menu provides links with equitable solutions for access to afterschool and summer STEM programming for staff and youth.
Additional Coding and Robotics Skills
Solutions: Self-guided Coding Activities + Simple Curricula for Robotics & Cyber Skills
- KidsWhoCode – Anyone can start a Club – no coding experience needed! Girls Who Code provides comprehensive resources and support to help you run a successful Club.
- Technovation Challenge – Help a team of youth create an app or AI project to solve a problem – mentors and youth need not have any programming experience, and the curriculum is free!
- Code.Org – get access to materials that will help you teach computer science with confidence. Code.org has extensive resources designed to support educators, even those without prior CS teaching experience.
- Sphero Global Challenge – The Sphero (Robots) Global Challenge is a competition that inspires creativity, innovation, and teamwork. With events for PK–8th-grade students of all ability levels – learn to code and use the Sphero robots to accomplish mission objectives! Create&Learn Free Online Coding Classes – Free Computer Science Classes for Kids: Learn from Top Tech Experts.
- Code Ninjas – As the world’s largest and fastest-growing kids’ coding franchise, Code Ninja allows kids to learn coding, problem-solving, critical thinking, and STEM skills.
- ORTOP – The Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program (ORTOP) offers training and comprehensive programs that inspire a lasting interest in STEM and the community.
- Snapology Robotics and Coding – Snapology’s Robotics classes teach kids basic programming and engineering to develop skills in technology, coding, problem-solving, and teamwork.
- CS First Programming – CS First offers free tools and resources to help teachers teach computer science. Students can use video tutorials and block-based coding in Scratch for hands-on learning.
- CS Oregon – CS for Oregon aims to enhance equitable and inclusive access to high-quality computer science education, ensuring all students can thrive in college, careers, and beyond.
Looking for STEM Funding?
Solutions: Free or Low-Cost STEM Materials & Funding Opportunities
- Oregon AG in the Classroom – Free Agriculture-related STEM Activity Kits
- Your Local Public Library – Many public libraries have STEM activity kits to borrow and excellent books to go along with any STEM concept you might be teaching!
- Your Regional Oregon STEM Hub – Many or most regional STEM Hubs have STEM activity kits to borrow, and sometimes even experts who can help your program in one way or another!
- Crazy 8’s Math Clubs – Not free, but around $100 for 8 fun, hands-on activity kits for 12 to 16 kids for grades K-2, 1-3, or 3-5.
- STEM Activities Using Recyclable Materials – If you have a closet, ask parents to start collecting toilet paper & paper towel tubes, the insides of candy boxes, coffee or cocoa canisters, cereal boxes, yogurt containers, plastic bottles, cans, and other recyclable materials. There are lots of activity plans online for design and building/engineering challenges using these materials (build a tower, build a city, build a bridge, make a building, a vehicle, musical instruments, etc.).
- AfterSchool Alliance STEM Grants – a short list of funding opportunities for STEM education. This is not a comprehensive list of available funding sources, but some of the larger funding pools are available nationally.
- Learn Fresh – uses sports and entertainment to teach fundamental math and social-emotional skills to students in grades 4–8. Free signature STEM board games can be ordered on their website.
STEM Professional Development Options
Solutions: Trainings & Volunteering
- OregonASK STEM Training and Coaching: Sign up for the OregonASK Newsletter to stay up to date on our STEM webinars, conferences, and other PD opportunities from state and national partners
- OregonASK STEM Volunteer & Mentors Handbook – To help youth programs with recruitment, orientation, training, retention, and management of STEM volunteers & mentors
- Become an Americorps VISTA Project Sponsor and provide opportunities for Americans 18 years or older from a diverse range of backgrounds to dedicate a year of full-time service with your organization (as a “sponsor”) to create or expand programs designed to empower individuals and communities in overcoming poverty.
- Remind staff about the Oregon Child Care Workforce Recognition $500 Payment Program, which afterschool and childcare staff who have been employed for at least 90 days can apply for in 2024 AND again in 2025!
Getting Kids Interested and Engaged
Solutions: Youth Voice & Choice + Engaging / Real-life / Project-based Activities and Curriculum
- Citizen Science Projects: This blog offers a collection of teaching strategies, lab tips, assessment advice, and helpful website
- Technovation Challenge: Help youth code a mobile app or build an AI project to solve a problem they
- Acres FREE Workshop Series on “Elevating Youth Voice and Choice”: presented by ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM)
- Acres Free Workshop Series on “Asking Purposeful Questions”: presented by ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM)
Diverse Student Participation
Solutions: Equity & Inclusion Strategies
- STEM Next Equity & Inclusion Framework: Strategies are the overarching categories within major concepts: Broadening Participation, Youth-Centric, and Skill Development.
- Open Oregon Educational Resources: High-quality, low-cost learning materials will be effectively integrated into teaching and learning across Oregon’s higher education institutions.
- ODE Culturally Specific After-School Learning Programs and Grants: This program seeks to provide Culturally Affirming and enriching after-school learning programs for students and programs that go beyond the typical school day for students, including focal students.
- Join the OregonASk Equitable STEM & CCL Community of Practice to learn and share strategies to help with more diverse and equitable access to and participation in STEM and Career Connected Learning activities
- STEM Next Family Engagement Planning Tool: This tool helps out-of-school time (OST) programs and schools engage families to support youth STEM learning
STEM Learning Enhancements
Solution: Research & Strategies
- Using STEM to Boost Engagement: By incorporating real-world problems and hands-on projects, STEAM activities prepare students for future challenges in an increasingly interconnected world.
- The Importance of STEM Education for K-12 Students in Low-Income School Districts: Early exposure to STEM concepts inspires interest and builds foundational knowledge.
- Unlocking the Benefits of STEM Education for Every Student: STEM learning unlocks hands-on learning and real-world applications to engage students effectively.
STEM Mentor & Volunteer Toolkit
The STEM Volunteer Management Toolkit includes resources and training for educators and administrators based on the time commitment and capacity that STEM professionals have.
The STEM Volunteer Toolkit provides materials for the professionals to help better prepare for working with youth and providing meaningful support and guidance opportunities.
STEM supports Career Connected Learning in Oregon
Over the last few years, Oregon has invested in complementary systems of support for STEM and Career Connected Learning throughout the state.
Career Connected Learning System Navigators
Each community college throughout the state has Career Connected Learning System Navigators (CCLSN) who support the work of Career Connected Learning in their region and foster partnership with a goal of expanding opportunities for students and engaging all interested parties in the region. Find out more here
Regional STEM Hubs
With 13 funded STEM Hubs in Oregon, nearly the entire state is being served by these collaborative entities, created to generate locally driven connections between education and the workforce. You can find out more about the local resources accessible to you by checking out STEMOregon.com to connect with your regional hub.
Informal STEM Impacting Youth
As the nation, and Oregonians, seek ways to increase interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and careers, we are proud to highlight research that includes Oregon youth making powerful strides in STEM. The study worked across 11 states, involving nearly 1,600 youth in 160 programs and was able to show that STEM in afterschool is an effective part of engaging youth in STEM and helping them build the skills they will need for the future.
Overall, the study found that participation in STEM-focused afterschool programs led to major, positive changes in student outcomes, showing positive gains in areas such as STEM interest, STEM identity, STEM career interest and career knowledge, and 21st-century skills, including perseverance and critical thinking. We understand the importance of providing engaging STEM experiences for youth, particularly for those historically underserved youth who do not have ample opportunities for hands-on learning.
Take a look at the full Afterschool & STEM System-Building Evaluation Report, or the Oregon Afterschool & STEM Report for more specifics on Oregon participants. You can also find more information about Oregon needs from our Informal STEM in Oregon and Oregon STEM Fact Sheet.
Afterschool STEM Activities & Curriculum
OregonASK has been providing support to programs since 2013 in designing and implementing quality out-of-school time STEM programs. Click Here to find out more about the curriculum & resources developed right here in Oregon.
Click Here to check out the Afterschool Alliance page of STEM Curriculum, collected from programs around the nation to provide engaging and low-cost STEM activities and curriculum that has been developed for and tested in the afterschool setting.
Curriculum
Our Master Trainers work with program staff on STEM content in afterschool. We train staff in how to use a variety of STEM curricula, weaving in best practices around the inquiry process, hands-off facilitation, gender equity, and STEM identity.
Partnering to Support Equitable STEM
OregonASK has been providing support to programs since 2013 in designing and implementing quality out-of-school time STEM programs. Click Here to find out more about the curriculum & resources developed right here in Oregon.
OregonASK has been working alongside East Metro STEAM Partnership for several years, specifically supporting their Equity action team through the development of a Self Assessment STEM equity tool based on local listening sessions. The Tool has been formatted so programs and partners may look through each of the six sections, assessing what score they would give themselves in each of the various attributes. STEAM programs may use this to assess its level of preparedness to serve students and families who historically have been underrepresented in STEAM. Ideally, this tool will help a program: Look critically at it’s policies, procedures and practices; Identify areas in need of improvement; and Begin the process of continuous improvement, in collaboration with EMSP or other organizations