Key Resources
The Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Afterschool Alliance partner to connect science centers, museums and other informal learning organizations with afterschool professionals offering STEM programming. ASTC members can join the afterschool community of practice.
If you are looking for information on partnerships between institutions of higher education and informal science institutions, visit the SENCER-ISE (Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities-Informal Science Education) website. The project includes ten cross-sector partnerships.
The Chicago Pre-College Science and Engineering Program provides hands-on science and engineering activities for children and their parents in Chicago. Focused on families from underserved communities, Chi S&E’s model is unique in that: 1) programming begins with young elementary students and builds as they grow older; and 2) parents/caregivers of young children participate in the programming with their children; 3) […]
Find out if there is a STEM bus or mobile lab in your community by clicking on the member page of the Mobile Laboratory Coalition (MLC) website. MLC is a network of mobile science education programs sharing curricula and ideas to inspire appreciation and knowledge of science and scientific inquiry.
This resource guide offers strategies to build STEM infrastructure in afterschool working in partnership with schools.
These documents from the Indiana Department of Education illustrate varying levels of STEM initiative implementation across K-12, with action items and corresponding metrics. Areas detailed include infrastructure, instruction, curriculum and expanded learning.
California’s plan for implementing NGSS is a great example of how an ecosystem approach can inform K-12 priorities on a statewide level. Two out of the eight CA strategies focus on partnerships.
This brief details research into gaps in public understanding of STEM education, with advice about how to “redirect” public awareness and knowledge. Essential for STEM communicators.
These downloadable assessment and planning tools—geared towards OST practitioners—were developed by the California AfterSchool Network and the California STEM Learning Network but are applicable to programs and partnerships in any state. Especially useful are the clear definitions of quality for OST and OST STEM, and the detailed descriptions of what strong partnerships among schools, OST programs, and other stakeholders look like in practice. Supported by the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, the Noyce Foundation and the Samueli Foundation.
The Rural Youth Development site includes tools, curricula and resources for planning, implementing and evaluating community projects with young people.