STRENGTHEN | STEM
STEM In Afterschool
The Alaska Afterschool Network is dedicated to expanding access to productive out-of-school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning programs by improving existing programs and creating new ones.
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STEM In Afterschool
Students spend less than 20% of their waking hours in a school classroom. Afterschool programs are part of the solution to engage more kids in STEM education. STEM-focused programs that operate outside of the school day proven to be uniquely effective at reducing achievement gaps. By offering hands-on, project-based learning that makes STEM come alive for youth before-school, afterschool, and summer learning programs can spark youth interest in these fields and inspire them to pursue majors and careers in STEM.
STEM Role Modeling
Role models and mentors as a part of STEM programming can help students start to see themselves in STEM careers, thereby increasing a student’s STEM identity and making it more likely that they will pursue a career in STEM.
Check out the resources at right to start engaging STEM role models and representation in your afterschool or summer program!
Interested in becoming a STEM Mentor in your community? Contact us! (ltegner@alaskachildrenstrust.org)
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The Million Girls Moonshot partnered with Techbridge Girls to create a toolkit for supporting programs in the recruitment and preparation of STEM role models to inspire more girls and underrepresented youth in STEM.
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Engage STEM role models virtually by incorporating videos and stories of incredible STEM Mentors from the IF/THEN collection inti your STEM activities!
Million Girls Moonshot
The Alaska Afterschool Network is proud to be a part of the Million Girls Moonshot initiative, working to inspire and prepare the next generation of innovators by engaging one million more girls in STEM learning opportunities through afterschool and summer programs over the next five years.
The Million Girls Moonshot will not only allow girls to envision themselves as future innovators, but it will also increase the quality of out-of-school STEM learning opportunities for all young people, particularly for underserved and underrepresented youth.
Explore the resources at right to get ideas from Million Girls Moonshot to incorporate in your programming!
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What does it mean to have an engineering mindset?
For young learners, having an engineering mindset means having the attitudes and skills needed to tackle tough engineering challenges. Out-of-school time programs can help students develop these attitudes and skills by incorporating the 10 Practices for an Engineering Mindset into their STEM activities.
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Part of ensuring a high-quality STEM experience is ensuring that all youth, including those who have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields, can engage, and participate. Million Girls Moonshot partnered with National Girls Collaborative to create the Access to STEM Framework, full of specific strategies and tactics to make STEM accessible to all.
STEM Professional Development
The Alaska Afterschool Network is proud to be a part of the Million Girls Moonshot initiative, working to inspire and prepare the next generation of innovators by engaging one million more girls in STEM learning opportunities through afterschool and summer programs over the next five years.
The Million Girls Moonshot will not only allow girls to envision themselves as future innovators, but it will also increase the quality of out-of-school STEM learning opportunities for all young people, particularly for underserved and underrepresented youth.
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Active Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM, or ACRES, is a free nationally acclaimed coaching program to help youth workers confidently and skillfully facilitate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math experiences for youth.
Interested in you or your program receiving an ACRES training? Contact us!
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A National AfterSchool Association STEM Facilitation Micro-Credential is a certification for a specific and narrow skill in a given area. The National Afterschool Association has partnered with Digital Promise to offer STEM Facilitation Micro-Credentials to afterschool and summer providers of any experience or education level.
There are 10 STEM Facilitation Micro-Credentials from NAA.
The 10 STEM Micro-Credentials correspond with the Dimensions of Success (DoS) Framework. To earn a STEM Micro-Credential, you will need to submit either:
A Dimensions of Success (DoS) Observation Assessment form, completed by a Certified DoS Observer
A video of a STEM activity that demonstrates use of the skills required for the Micro-Credential
Promoting STEM Quality
High quality STEM Learning activities ensure all students are getting the most they can out of their out-of-school time STEM opportunities. We can improve STEM Quality by;
Providing all youth with equal access to STEM activities,
Ensuring that program staff are trained and competent in STEM facilitation strategies,
Providing activities and curricula are hands-on, minds-on, and relevant to youth,
Using quality improvement tools to assess program quality and plan ways to improve.
Dimensions of Success (DoS)
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Dimensions of Success, or DoS, is a framework used by out-of-school time practitioners, funders, researchers, and other key stakeholders to track the quality of STEM learning opportunities and to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses.
There are 12 Dimensions of Success (see figure) that highlight 12 essential areas for facilitating a high-quality informal STEM learning activity.
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To use the Dimensions of Success Assessment tool, you must be a certified DoS Observer.
Have a certified DoS Observer join you at your program for a STEM Activity Observation and Coaching Session. Contact us to request a DoS Observation at your program
Become a Certified DoS Observer yourself!
STEM Family Engagement
Engineering family events provide invaluable opportunities for connection and growth, both for children and their families. By incorporating these events, you can:
Strengthen family bonds by offering children and parents a chance to collaborate, solve problems, and learn together.
Foster community learning, bringing families together to share knowledge, experiences, and a common goal while promoting teamwork.
Help children see themselves as future engineers, building confidence in their ability to think critically and creatively, and inspiring them to explore STEM fields.
Encourage lifelong learning by introducing engineering concepts in an accessible and engaging way, planting seeds for future exploration in education and careers.
Download the booklet PDF here: Google Drive
What is in This Booklet?
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Effective planning and organization are essential for a successful event.
This section outlines key steps to help you manage every aspect of your event—from goal setting and venue selection to defining staff roles. It ensures a smooth, enjoyable experience for all, while also supporting families in exploring the engineering mindset. -
Openers serve as brain warm-ups before the main family challenge begins.
Choose the activities that will help families get engaged, think creatively, and ease into the challenge ahead. These openers are designed to spark curiosity and prepare participants for the exciting challenge to come. -
This is the main event for families to tackle together, using their engineering minds.
In this section, families will engage in hands-on challenges that not only test their creativity and problem-solving skills but also introduce them to key concepts in engineering. It’s a fun, collaborative experience designed to inspire learning and teamwork. -
Explore the diverse fields within engineering and the mindset skills that shape successful engineers.
In this section, you’ll discover various engineering disciplines and learn about the skills engineers use to bring their ideas to life.
