After School Science

Introduction

Nations all over the world are recognizing the importance of preparing their students to be literate and proficient in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields so their citizens can navigate the modern world and participate productively in the workforce. For students in kindergarten through high school, the formal school day and classroom teachers are at the forefront of the effort not only to increase the number of children and youth who have access to STEM learning opportunities but to do so in an equitable manner that will reach and equip a diverse group representative of the nation’s population. But because children spend less than 20 % of their waking hours in school, out of school-time experiences such as afterschool programs – and the institutions and people who provide them – need to be essential partners in this effort. Both the additional time offered by afterschool programs and the opportunity are needed to diversify the ways that students...