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

Professional Development Opportunities🚀

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 new 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 in your program: https://bit.ly/cclframework

Activities for Youth🚀

Genomics Learning Journeys for Afterschool

National DNA Day on April 25 commemorates the successful completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 and the discovery of DNA’s double helix in 1953. The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) began celebrating DNA Day annually on April 25th after the 108th Congress passed concurrent resolutions designating it as DNA Day. The goal of National DNA Day is to offer students, teachers and the public an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the latest advances in genomic research and explore how those advances impact their lives. Educators can access free, virtual bundles of activities below, developed specifically for afterschool by STEM Next Opportunity Fund in partnership with global genomics leader Illumina. Get your youth started on their DNA learning journey today!

Get started with the Genomics Learning Journeys here. Educators have access to the following activity bundles:

DNA: The Building Blocks — Learners get a crash course on the foundation of genomics and learn of the different careers that exist in the industry.
DNA & Diseases — Learners consider the role genomics plays in the way we address viruses, bacteria and other diseases, and also learn of the different careers that exist in the life sciences industry.
DNA & The Role of BioTech — Learners see how genomics can be applied to develop tools to improve our quality of life, and also learn of the different careers that exist in the burgeoning biotech industry.

Life and Health Sciences Engineering Antivirals

New free resources for middle school youth to learn how antivirals work through hands-on engineering.

In the Life and Health Sciences Engineering Antivirals activities, youth design and test a model antiviral to see how it can stop a virus from infecting a cell. They build simple virus models, test their ideas, and improve their designs as the virus changes. This unit includes nine activities with materials available in English and Spanish. https://bit.ly/3YwscOJ

Career Exploration: Engineering Antivirals Health Career Exploration

Youth explore six careers (biomedical engineer, health data analyst, health journalist, medical logistics director, nurse, and researcher) connected to the health theme of the engineering challenge: biomedical engineer, health data analyst, health journalist, medical logistics director, nurse, and researcher. They learn about these roles through a career quiz, short videos, A Day in the Life stories, and curated internet resources that show how diverse professionals help keep people healthy. Resources here.

This Exploration is a part of Engineering Antivirals, grades 6–8
One 45-minute activity with extension ideas
Materials needed: at least one device with internet per group

More Genetics Learning Resources

A compilation of resources about genetics including DNA, genes, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology. These resources may be useful for incorporating into annual events such as DNA Day and events focused on human health, genetics, and biology. Resources here.

Building with Biology Kit — Engaging activities and professional development resources to create conversations about the emerging field of synthetic biology and societal implications.
Building with Biology: Super Organisms — In this activity focused on synthetic biology, learners use the engineering design process to design a single-celled organism to clean up an oil spill to learn more about synthetic biology.

Exploring Size — “Exploring Size – StretchAbility” is a hands and feet-on game that explores the different sizes of things in the world. Visitors learn that a nanometer is a billionth of a meter.

National AI Literacy Day on March 27: Hour of AI Resources for Programs

Help your afterschool program bring AI learning to more youth with Code.org’s Hour of AI resources. These simple, high-quality activities introduce youth to what AI is, how it works, and how to use it responsibly. The activities work in any setting, including low-tech programs and mixed-age groups.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3X8g5GX

Test-Drive These Exciting STEM Careers

Want to help youth explore future STEM careers through afterschool?

This resource from Science Buddies pairs 10 popular science and engineering careers with fun, hands-on activities that let kids “test-drive” different fields. Youth can see what tasks and experiments real scientists and engineers do while discovering which career paths interest them most.

Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3VIBSEg

Science Buddies…Science Careers

OST providers, did you know Science Buddies connects youth to STEM careers with more than 1,200 projects and 179 activities? Explore videos of the week, new ways to teach the Scientific Method and Engineering Design Process, plus the latest science news.

Check it out: sciencebuddies.org

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 committed to strengthening career awareness and exploration in out-of-school time so youth are prepared for whatever comes NEXT.

Five Ways for Families to Connect Youth to Careers

Research shows that parents are one of the biggest influences on youth interest and persistence in STEM. Yet, with few exceptions, when it comes to leveraging family engagement for youth success in STEM and career exploration, there is a disconnect between research and practice.

Explore three new resources designed to help families support career-connected learning at home. Organized into guides for elementary, middle, and high school grade levels, each resource offers age-appropriate guidance that helps adults encourage young people to think about, talk about and begin exploring their future career paths.

How Math Prepares Kids for STEM Careers: The Ultimate Parent’s Guide

Are you wondering how to set your child up for success in tomorrow’s job market? The answer lies in understanding how mathematics serves as the golden key that unlocks incredible STEM careers for kids. Every parent dreams of seeing their child thrive in a rewarding career, and the path often begins with building strong mathematical foundations today.

Math isn’t just about numbers and equations—it’s the secret language that powers every career in STEM for kids. From designing video games to discovering new medicines, mathematics forms the backbone of innovation. When children master mathematical concepts early, they’re essentially preparing themselves for some of the most exciting and well-paying STEM careers for kids available in the future.

Ready to discover how your child can leverage math skills to access amazing careers in STEM for kids? Let’s explore this fascinating journey together and see how you can support your child’s mathematical adventure toward amazing STEM careers for kids. Link here

15 Uses of Mathematics in Our Daily Life

Did you know math is everywhere? From cooking to sports and games to working out? It is important to highlight and share how math plays a role in youths’ lives even in the unlikeliest of places. This article helps educators explore the 15 uses of mathematics in our daily life, where numbers prove their significance. Discover how math influences various aspects of our routines and decisions for enhanced functionality and efficiency. Link: 15 Uses of Mathematics in Our Daily Life

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.