STEM

STEM along with critical thinking skills, collaboration, and teamwork are skills that are vital to our state’s and our nation’s workforce and economic development. Out of school time (OST) programs support classroom learning by providing an informal setting for additional, hands on, engaging and innovative activities where students are able to explore, learn, make and question.

Principles of Quality STEM Activities

are for all students
are intentional and standards-based (SC STEM Standards)
are active, interesting, and relevant to students
reflect current research and practices
are age-level appropriate
integrate skills from different subjects
incorporate staff training in science teaching
are based on ongoing assessment of student needs and progress

Featured Opportunities🚀

The Future is Bright: Get Ready for DNA Day 2026

Afterschool programs: With DNA Day on April 25, April is the perfect time to spark students’ curiosity about genomics and health and life science careers. STEM Next has curated free, ready-to-use resources to help educators and program leaders engage youth in career-connected DNA learning. Explore the resources and join the free prep webinar on April 16 to learn how to bring DNA Day to your program: stemnext.org/dna-learning

STEM Learning Journeys for Afterschool Programs — Free educator resources + a stipend opportunity

Looking for an easy way to bring engaging, hands-on STEM learning to your afterschool program? Afterschool educators can now access free STEM Learning Journeys designed specifically for out-of-school-time settings — plus an opportunity to earn a stipend of up to $1,500.

Developed by STEM Next in partnership with Verizon, these bundles of lessons and activities help afterschool educators engage youth in hands-on STEM learning with topics including AI, sustainability, space, and engineering.

Programs that complete the Nature & Sustainability Learning Journey can qualify for a stipend based on youth participation.

Learn more and get started

Challenge Based Learning Activity Bundle

Looking for a new way to bring-real world problem solving into your afterschool program?

The Challenge Based Learning Activity Bundle from STEM Next is designed to help afterschool and summer educators guide youth through hands-on challenges that connect learning to real community and global issues. This quick-start resource includes three ready-to-use lessons designed for grades 5-8.

Check out the CBL Activity Bundle

Artemis II Launch

NASA’s Artemis II mission marks the first crewed flight of the Artemis campaign and a major step toward returning humans to the Moon and preparing for future missions to Mars.

Afterschool program can help youth take part in this historic moment through hands-on Artemis II activities. From observing the Moon and exploring lunar geology to learning how rockets launch, these activities are designed for multiple grade levels and connect the science of space exploration to real careers at NASA and beyond.

Explore activities and career profiles to bring Artemis II to life for your program in this round-up of resources from STEM Next Opportunity Fund: https://stemnext.org/celebrate-the-artemis-ii-launch-in-afterschool/

Share Your Voice: New Survey on K-12 Educators’ Use of AI

How are educators using AI in learning environments today?

K-12 educators across classrooms and afterschool or summer learning settings are invited to take a short survey to help shape the future of AI literacy in STEM.

This national effort, led by the @ngcproject in partnership with @IngeniaLearning and @STEMNextOpportunityFund, aims to identify gaps, challenges, and promising practices in how AI is being introduced to young people.

The survey takes about 15 minutes, and your input will help inform future resources and support for educators nationwide. Take the survey

Professional Development Opportunities🚀

Unlocking the Double Helix: A Blueprint for DNA Day Success

Afterschool and summer programs can make DNA Day an exciting hands-on learning experience for youth. Join this free educator webinar on April 16 to explore ready-to-use DNA activities, free resources, and simple facilitation tips that help bring genomics learning to life across grade levels and learning settings. No advanced science background required. Whether you’re celebrating DNA Day for the first time or looking to deepen your activities, this session will help you plan a successful experience for your students. Thursday, April 16 4-5 PM. Register Here

Career-Connected Learning Framework

Afterschool and summer programs give youth the freedom to explore, experiment, and connect learning to real life. To help programs turn that spark of curiosity into career readiness, STEM Next created the Career-Connected Learning Framework. This resource assists afterschool program providers in integrating career awareness, exploration, and preparation into hands-on, age-appropriate STEM activities grounded in real-world relevance. Explore the framework and access recordings that break down key strategies for implementing career-connected learning program. Learn More

Young People Co-creating STEM Engagement Projects

During this online workshop, the National Informal STEM Education Network explores the intersection of co-creation, positive youth development, and future thinking. They heard from partners who have developed and implemented a variety of programs, exhibits, and games that have empowered youth to help shape the future for their communities. They discussed strategies for working with young people, how to create a sense of ownership, belonging, STEM identity, and more. View the recording, slide deck, and accompanying materials here.

Activities for Youth🚀

Deepen DNA Learning with Genomics Learning Journeys

Through STEM Next’s Genomics Learning Journeys, educators can inspire youth with interactive lessons that reveal the incredible world of DNA. These ready-to-use lesson bundles help young people explore how genomics is driving breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture, and beyond as they connect classroom learning to real-world careers. With engaging videos, hands-on activities, and step-by-step guides tailored for out-of-school settings, these journeys make complex science fun, relatable, and full of opportunity for youth of all backgrounds and experience level. Start the Journey here

Building with Biology: See DNA

This is a hands-on activity in which visitors learn about the fundamental component of biology and synthetic engineering: DNA. In the activity, educators will extract visible DNA from wheat germ and create necklaces to display their own wheat germ DNA samples. Check out the lesson plan, downloadable materials, and training video here.

Exploring Earth: Paper Mountains

“Exploring Earth: Paper Mountains” lets participants explore how the shape of the land and the pull of gravity influence how water moves across Earth. By making unique mountain models from crumpled paper and watching how water moves across, participants can act as Earth scientists, using their observations to make predictions about the future of our planet. Check out the lesson plan, downloadable materials, and training video here.

Exploring Earth: Rising Sea

“Exploring Earth: Rising Sea” is a hands-on activity demonstrates how to use topographic mapping techniques to track-sea-level changes. The activity is connected to current NASA research. Together, participants and facilitators can discuss the effects of rising sea levels on coastal communities and the natural environment. Check out the lesson plan, downloadable materials, and training video here.

Other Resources🚀

Research-Based Practices & Career Awareness and Exploration

STEM Next aims to raise awareness of research-based practices proven to increase the quality of STEM learning experiences for youth, and is committed to strengthening career awareness and exploration in out-of-school time so youth are prepared for whatever come NEXT.

Earth Day Event Toolkit

Knowledge is key to making an impact. Check out the volunteer toolkits below to learn how anyone can help solve some of the world’s most pressing issues. v”We need to build a global citizenry fluent in the concept of climate change and inspired by environmental education to act in defense of the planet. “v– EARTHDAY.ORG President Kathleen Rogers. Download toolkits here.

NASA Earth Day Toolkit

NASA’s fleet of satellites see the whole Earth, every day.

This year, you can celebrate Earth Day with NASA wherever you are! Host your own Earth Day event–supported by NASA science–with activities, demonstrations, handouts, posters, videos, and more. Whether you’re planning a formal presentation or are hosting a stand-alone exhibit, we have you covered. Take a look at the toolkit here.

NASA Earth Day Posters

This is a collection of illustrated posters with NASA’s annual Earth Day celebration. High-resolution, printable PDF files are available for download by clicking on each image. Download the posters here.

Key Statistics

STEM jobs are expected to grow by nearly 11% from 2021 to 2031.
The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) and Academic Magnet High School are ranked as top institutions.
South Carolina is a national leader, with 92% of high schools offering computer science courses.
93% of technical college graduates are employed in their field or continuing education, supporting industries like IT and healthcare.