This document discusses engaging youth in STEM through afterschool programs. It imagines a place where youth can learn and have fun solving real-world problems in teams. Effective afterschool STEM activities gain new knowledge, apply existing knowledge creatively, and work towards goals in a group. Such programs can promote science learning, youth development, and career opportunities to help underrepresented groups. Hands-on, project-based learning outside the classroom can spark interest in science and help youth discover their potential.

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Carol Tang, Ph.D.
Stephen D. Bechtel Jr Foundation
Engaging
Youth
Through
STEM

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Imagine a place where…
Free and reduced lunches are provided,
snacks are distributed,
physical activity is encouraged onsite.

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Imagine a place where…
Individuality, creativity, leadership,
critical thinking, social skills, and ability
to learn from mistakes are as valuable
as book smarts.

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Imagine a place where…
Participants choose their own projects,
their projects are relevant to their
communities,
and they work together on teams to solve
problems they care about.

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Imagine a place where…
Participants expect to have fun…
and if they don’t, they vote with their feet.

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8. +BGCA High-Yield Activities
Gain new knowledge or skills; or reinforce
something they’ve learned in school.
Experience new ways to apply existing knowledge.
Engage in creative expression.
Test their own solutions to real-world issues.
Work in groups to achieve a goal.

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Photos from Google.com & Balazs H.

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STEM
Youth
Programming

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STEM BGCA
Career development/Economic justice

16. + STEM in America

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Question—
Q: Do girls report that their parents would like
them to be actresses or engineers?
A: Twice as many girls say their parents
encourage them to be actresses over those
that say engineers

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0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Women
Latino/Hispanic
African American
STEM jobs
Workforce
Under-represented in STEM

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True or False?
Highly accomplished scientists and
engineers (including Nobel Prize
winners) often cite experiences
outside of the classroom as being
influential.
TRUE!

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True or False
Boys take more high school
math and science classes and
have higher math and science
GPA’s than girls.
FALSE!

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True or False
Grades in science and math classes are
the best way to predict who will become
a scientist.
FALSE! Interest in science in 8th grade
is a better predictor.
Tai et al. 2006

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Afterschool STEM can
level the playing field

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High Quality
Science Learning
High Quality
Youth Development

29. + Science Learning Youth Development
Curiosity Exploration
Motivation Shows initiative
Responsibility Self-determination
Persistence Persistence
Science Capable Mastery
Identity Sees ability to succeed
Appreciation Relevance
Interest Engagement
Science Learning Youth Development
Curiosity
Motivation
Responsibility
Persistence
Science Capable
Identity
Appreciation
Interest

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Photos from UC Berkeley and MIT News Office, by Patrick Gillooly

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High Quality
Science Learning
High Quality
Youth Development

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36. + YouTube Channel

37. +Adult mentors and role models

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http://pearweb.org/atis

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Learning that is active
Learning that is collaborative
Learning that is meaningful
Learning that supports mastery
Learning that expands horizons

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Magic Trick

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Was this a great learning activity?
good
somewhat okay
not good

43. + This is STEM!
This is STEAM!
This is
SHTEAM!

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Was this a great learning activity?
good
somewhat okay
not good

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How would you design a better
STEM afterschool activity?

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One-sided object

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Scientific Thinking and Process Skills
Observing
Communicating
Comparing/measuring
Ordering
Categorizing
Relating
Inferring
Applying http://www1.cyfernet.org/prog/schl/science/
4h590.html
Science Guidelines for Nonformal
Education
Carlson and Maxa 1997 4H

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BGCA High-Yield Activities
Gain new knowledge or skills; or reinforce
something they’ve learned in school.
Experience new ways to apply existing
knowledge.
Engage in creative expression.
Test their own solutions to real-world issues.
Work in groups to achieve a goal.

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STEM BGCA
Career development/Economic justice

57. Growing healthy
young people
through science
experiences

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Resources
 AfterschoolScience.org
 @SciAfterSchool
 @CarolTang1
 LinkedIn
 Facebook
 www.Slideshare.net/ScienceAfterSchool/p
resentations