The document discusses the future of afterschool STEM programs and their importance. It envisions afterschool programs that provide meals and physical activity, encourage creativity and problem-solving, and make science fun. Research shows that hands-on, project-based, collaborative learning outside of school helps students in ways that in-school learning cannot. The afterschool STEM movement aims to increase access to high-quality science activities and leverage new insights from brain science to improve these programs over time.

1. Think FAST:
The Future of Afterschool STEM
Carol Tang, Ph.D.
Director
Coalition for Science After School

2. Coalition for Science After
School
• To increase quality and
quantity of science for all youth
in afterschool, summer, and
out-of-school settings
• To bridge the afterschool,
STEM education and scientific
communities

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

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

6. 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.

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

9. 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.

12. Photos from Google.com & Balazs H.

13. Science Afterschool
Career development/Economic justice

15. THINK
Future
Afterschool
STEM

16. (1)
The science
afterschool
movement will
impact
children’s lives.

20. (2)
Schools are
changing
dramatically.

21. Edudemic.com; Mozilla

23. (3)
Creativity and
innovation
will become more
valued.

24. The Maker
Movement

25. “Make” and Afterschool STEM
• Hands-on learning
• Project-based learning
• Non-academic
• Self-directed
• Learning from mentors

26. (4)
Brain research will
continue to validate
the afterschool
approach and
inform our practice.

27. +
Learning that is active
Learning that is collaborative
Learning that is meaningful
Learning that supports mastery
Learning that expands horizons

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

30. Join the conversation!
Afterschoolscience.org

31. Resources
• AfterschoolScience.org
• @SciAfterSchool
• @CarolTang1
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Slides at
www.Slideshare.net/ScienceAfter
School/presentations