Afterschool and third space programs are a prime space for youth to learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Afterschool STEM programs spark interest by engaging students in hands-on experiences and help them build workforce skills such as collaboration, and foster new ways of thinking such as engineering mindset. Afterschool STEM programs also boost students’ proficiency in math and science, increase their likelihood of graduation, and put them on the path to pursuing a career in the STEM fields. Vermont Afterschool is at the forefront of expanding STEM learning throughout the state.
For more information or to be part of any of these programs, contact Katie O’Shea.
**NEW RESOURCE** In partnership with Vermont Energy Education Program, New Hampshire Energy Education Program, Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, NCSU Encore, and University of Vermont Extension 4H, Vermont Afterschool created a Best Practices guide for STEM-based programs, which includes best practice examples (for Space, Connections, Content, Skills, and Pathways) appropriate for elementary, middle, and high school youth, as well as links to other important and helpful resources. Click here to download the guide.
Vermont Afterschool’s Linking Engineering to Life Biomed Course was a success at Winooski Afterschool Program, Brookfield Elementary, Mt. Abraham Middle School (MAUSD), Bellows Fall Middle School, Tuttle Middle School, Mill River Union Middle School, and Main Street Middle School. Great job to all of the staff, youth, UVM CEMS and Norwich University mentors, and guest speakers!
One way Vermont Afterschool is helping promote these skills in the third space is through the Linking Engineering to Life (LEL) curriculum. Thanks to the support of STEM Next, and as part of the Million Girls Moonshot initiative, Vermont Afterschool has developed the LEL program aimed specifically at girls and non-binary youth who have historically been underrepresented in STEM fields.
LEL works to eliminate barriers of participation by recruiting diverse youth and training afterschool program leaders on how best to include youth from a spectrum of economic, geographic, racial, and gender identities. Middle school girls and non-binary students have access to an exciting hands-on curriculum, including all materials and activities, as well as college-aged mentors who are currently studying a STEM topic. LEL is offered as a BASICS engineering course in the fall and a BIOMEDICAL engineering course in the spring. Basics focuses on all different aspects of engineering (i.e., electrical, civil, environmental) and Biomedical focuses on biomedical engineering, with activities such as creating a prosthetic device for your leg. You can sign up for either semester and there are no prerequisites.
Vermont Afterschool is also creating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) opportunities and career awareness for youth through STEM Pathways. This program trains high school students in rural areas to deliver STEM content to their local afterschool and summer learning programs. It supports older youth in the work-based learning process by helping them to develop job skills, improve their instructional practices, and connect them to different career paths. STEM Pathways provides jobs for high school students who will receive compensation for their time and are located in areas of the state where finding part-time work can be challenging for youth. It also increases access to STEM programs during the out-of-school time for elementary school-age children.
The Youth Workforce Development Guide is an invaluable resource for afterschool professionals and high-schoolers to help with the process of employing high school youth.
Vermont Afterschool is also beginning to explore other content areas for which Pathways could be adapted as a career awareness and employability opportunity for high school youth. More to come on these opportunities.
Through our generous funders at STEM Next, we’ve connected with the Possible Futures curriculum from Jobs for the Future, which provides career exploration for learners in 6th–10th grade, so that every young person will gain the foundational knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to make critical decisions about their future with confidence.
In particular, we’re piloting a subset of the curriculum, Growing Myself, curated by our friends at Oregon ASK. This 12-lesson set focuses on celebrating failure, luck vs. opportunity, self-talk/mindsets, identity, cooperative vs. competitive, culture/membership in groups, their sparks (special skills), and where I am/where I am going.
Vermont Afterschool, in collaboration with the Vermont State Treasurer’s Office, offers an 8-10 week financial wellness program called VerMoney every spring for youth in grades 2-5. This program provides afterschool and out-of-school time programs with a curriculum, training, and materials to teach young Vermonters to become more financially literate.
Teaching students financial concepts early can positively influence how they manage their finances throughout their lives. This curriculum helps young people reflect on the differences between wants and needs, and engages them in making choices about money.