Back-to-School Means Back to STEM in Afterschool for Millions of Kids
Study Assessing STEM Learning Opportunities in Afterschool and Summer Programs Nationally – and in All 50 States – to Be Released Wednesday
Are STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning opportunities in afterschool increasing? How many students across the country and in each state are getting opportunities to learn STEM in their afterschool programs? Are afterschool programs providing STEM engagement for students from populations underrepresented in STEM fields, including people of color and girls? Which STEM disciplines are offered most by afterschool programs? Which children are missing out?
A new study, to be released Wednesday, answers these and other questions. STEM Learning in Afterschool on the Rise, But Barriers and Inequities Exist is based on responses from more than 31,000 U.S. families to a household survey, as well as surveys of parents and providers that shed light on the impact of the pandemic. Conducted by Edge Research for the Afterschool Alliance, it finds that afterschool programs are helping to address both the shortage of U.S. workers who are well-trained in STEM fields and the underrepresentation of people of color and women in STEM professions. But it also identifies gaps in the student populations these programs are reaching with STEM.
STEM Learning in Afterschool on the Rise, But Barriers and Inequities Exist will be released at a virtual briefing on Wednesday, August 18 at 1 pm EDT featuring:
· Jodi Grant, Executive Director, Afterschool Alliance
· Gemma Lenowitz, Program Officer, Overdeck Family Foundation
· Zelda Quiller Waymer, President & CEO, South Carolina Afterschool Alliance
· Shannon Christian, Executive Director, Worland Youth Learning Center, Wyoming
· Nikole Collins-Puri, CEO, Techbridge Girls
Register for the briefing here.
The national report and data for each state and the District of Columbia will be available Wednesday at 1 pm at www.afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM. Media may request an embargoed copy from Lisa Lederer on Tuesday, August 17. STEM Learning in Afterschool is funded by Overdeck Family Foundation.
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