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🚀

NOW OPEN: 2027 Flight Crew Applications

Applications are OPEN for the 2027 STEM Next Flight Crew!

STEM Next is looking for youth ages 13–18 who have participated in afterschool, summer or other out-of-school STEM programs and are ready to share their STEM stories.

Selected teens will represent their states as part of a national cohort while building leadership and communication skills and championing the value of afterschool and summer STEM.

Encourage a young person in South Carolina to apply by Oct. 29: https://bit.ly/4xPaYvz

AI Innovation Prize Challenge From STEM Next + Panasonic Foundation

The AI Innovation Challenge from @STEMNext and @Panasonic Foundation is designed specifically for afterschool and other out-of-school-time programs serving high schoolers.

Youth lead the innovation. Educators guide the process. Winning programs can earn up to $5,000 in prize funding. Submissions are due by Nov. 19, 2026. Sign up: https://bit.ly/4i3Dchn

Launching Futures: A New Toolkit from STEM Next

Help young people discover the exciting careers shaping the future of space exploration.

The free Launching Futures Toolkit, created by STEM Next and powered by RTX, makes it easy to bring aerospace career exploration into your afterschool or summer program with hands-on activities, career profiles, educator trainings, and resources from partners including NASA and the Smithsonian.

Explore the toolkit:https://bit.ly/46dqmpD

TECH Quest Activities: Using Tech for Good

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

The TECH Quest activities from STEM Next are designed to help afterschool and summer educators guide youth through hands-on challenges that connect tech learning to real community and global issues. Explore three ready-to-use lessons designed for grades 5-8: https://bit.ly/3SYNDsD

Professional Development Opportunities🚀

Math is Everywhere: Numeracy in Nature

Nature is full of opportunities to explore math in meaningful ways.

Join the free ACRES virtual workshop, Math is Everywhere: Numeracy in Nature, on Monday, September 14, at 12:30 PM ET. Discover hands-on activities, explore math in the natural world, and gain access to resources you can use right away.

From EiE to YES: The Evolution of Engineering Education

Engineering education continues to evolve, and so do the resources that support today’s learners.

Join this free webinar to explore the evolution of Engineering is Elementary into Youth Engineering Solutions and discover how hands-on engineering experiences continue to build collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Building AI Literacy for Inclusion in STEM: Recommendations in Action in OST Settings

Join the National Girls Collaborative Project and STEM Next Opportunity Fund on September 29 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT for a free webinar focused on putting AI literacy into practice in afterschool and summer learning.

Hear real-world examples and actionable strategies to help educators build the confidence, tools, and guidance they need to support young people in using AI safely, ethically, and effectively.

Activities for Youth🚀

TECH Quest Activities: Using Tech for Good

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

Career Exploration for Kids & Teens

The earlier young people can explore different careers, the easier it becomes to connect their interests and strengths to future possibilities.

These career exploration activities for elementary, middle, and high school students help youth discover new pathways, build confidence, and begin thinking about future goals through engaging, age-appropriate experiences.

Explore resources: https://bit.ly/4oxPGPF

10 Easy STEM Career Classroom Activities

From Vivify STEM, check out these 10 activities with strategies to bring STEM careers to life in afterschool and summer learning programs. All activities connect to real work careers and connect STEM directly to youth interests.

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 comes NEXT.

Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum

Possible Futures — Career Exploration Curriculum: Open source curriculum that complements and enriches both school and afterschool settings 1) expanding career awareness through authentic experiential learning opportunities; 2) encouraging students to explore their diverse interests, talents, and options; 3) enlivening STEM subjects by bringing in real-world and career contexts; 4) empowering students to develop vital employability skills; and 5) engaging students in making informed choices.

Below are some adaptations of the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum specifically for afterschool and summer programs:

Career Foundations Adaptation: A collection of 14 lessons, a streamlined combination of the Lenses on the Future and Skills for Success units of the Possible Futures curriculum.
College and Career Readiness Toolkit: Maryland Out of School Time (MOST) embedded the Career Foundations Unit of Possible Futures into this toolkit that serves as a guide for OST providers.
Career Literacy: Three units that combine the units Skills for Success and Lenses on the Future (from Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum). The units also provide a model for aligning Possible Futures with state Career Literacy Standards and the development of required individual student postsecondary plans.
Growing Myself: Twelve lessons that combine the Self unit from Lenses on the Future and the Growth Mindset unit from Skills for Success from the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum.
Communicating & Collaborating: Twelve lessons that combine lessons from the Communication and Collaboration units from the Skills for Success module from the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum
Career Exploration Activities: Designed specifically for Out-of-School Time (OST) providers looking for engaging, hands-on, and collaborative activities:
- Health Sciences (6 activities + career posters)
- Information Technology (4 activities)
- Lenses on the Future – Self (7 activities)