- Science After School: How to Design and Run Great Program Activities (TASC)
- STEM Lab Report
- Assessment Tools in Informal Science (ATIS)
- Science in After School: A Blueprint for Action
- Frontiers in Urban Science Education Resource Guide: Strategies to advance informal science education in after-school
What is the JumpStarting STEM Initiative?
Why STEM?
“In a world ever more driven by technology, the state's ability to interest and educate students in fields related to math and science is becoming crucial. As a result, "STEM"—which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—is an increasingly important acronym. From the White House to Sacramento, and from the boardroom to the classroom, "STEM" is on everyone's lips.” –-EdSource, 2011--
Background Information
The California AfterSchool Network (CAN) has worked tirelessly with more than 17 Afterschool programs throughout the state of California in eleven different regions targeting more than 250 sites to bring quality Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curricula paired with training and ongoing staff development in order to increase high quality STEM learning opportunities for youth in after school programs.
The California Afterschool Network with support and partnership from the California Department of Education’s After School Programs Office, the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation, the Noyce Foundation, and the Samueli Foundation have launched efforts to increase opportunities for high quality STEM learning opportunities for youth in California’s Out-of-School-Time programs.
The JumpStarting STEM Team will work with After school programs to obtain quality curriculum and provide the necessary training to ensure that each student will receive 30-60 hours of STEM learning opportunities to enhance their interest and knowledge of STEM subjects. We will also provide programs with on-going support through continued conversations utilizing virtual learning communities, and site visits to help establish successful implementation in after school programs.
What we hope to accomplish
Our goal is to work with all levels of leadership as well as support staff to create and implement a strategic plan to increase high quality out-of-school time STEM experiences for California K-8 youth that are:
- Student centered
- Inquiry based
- Project based
- Complementary to academic curriculum
- Engaging nurturing student interest and curiosity
- Integrating diverse subject matter
- Equitable: access to all students
