A HUB
for STEM in
Afterschool

Resources to help communicators and advocates build
public support for afterschool and summer STEM learning.

Policy

Strong advocates are well informed about important policy conversations, understand how specific policies impact their missions, and have expertise and ideas for how policy can be best implemented. Whether you are looking to impact policy on the local, state, or federal level, the Afterschool STEM Hub aims to be a resource to help navigate that terrain.

Guideposts

Policies that are closely aligned to our current best understanding of how people come to care about and pursue STEM learning will make the deepest and most sustainable impact. As you develop new policies or take a critical eye to existing legislation, use these research-based recommendations as a guidepost.
verified More on policy guideposts

Talking Points

To build support for afterschool and summer STEM, you’ve got to answer the public’s big questions about social issues: Why does it matter? How does it work? If it’s not working, why not? And what can we do about it?
lightbulb Why does it matter?
Science, technology, engineering, and math — the subjects collectively known as STEM — power our economy and advance our society. Today’s students are our future leaders and we need to ensure that they have the skills required to tackle the problems of tomorrow.
update How does it work?
Learning STEM subjects is like learning a new language: to become fluent, children need hands-on opportunities to practice what they learn. Afterschool and summer programs offer more time for youth to be immersed in STEM and teach them skills they will use their whole lives.
groups Why isn't it working?
We aren’t taking an immersion approach. Further, STEM learning opportunities are like charging stations, and all children need access so they can plug in and power up their STEM skills. Some communities don’t have these resources — there’s a lack of fairness between places.
verified What can we do?
Afterschool and summer programs spark learning and ignite interest by letting youth experiment with STEM ideas in real-world situations. By implementing [insert your policy solution] or supporting [insert your program initiative], we can ensure that all children, no matter where they live, can access afterschool and summer STEM.
location_city More talking points

Toolkit

Are you ready to put the talking points and framing strategies into action? Our practical guides and resources are organized by common tasks relevant to staff in multiple departments. Dig in!
Rework social media

Go beyond clicks, views, and shares: spread the right messages.
Share visuals

Get ready-to-go videos and infographics for presentations, social media, and more.
Tell your program's story

Find guidelines for writing about how learning happens.
Talk to policymakers

Get prepared to communicate with elected officials and their staff.