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This research brief from ExpandedED Schools reports on the promising findings of their STEM Educators Academy, where classroom teachers and afterschool educators came together to learn at leading science institutions and then returned to their campuses to teach STEM-related projects that would spark interest and curiosity in math and science. The key findings offer both challenges and recommendations for those working to immerse youth in enriching STEM education. These include the need to provide additional support to help teachers and community educators incorporate opportunities for reflection and relevance in STEM learning and support in using planning time effectively.

PBS Education has developed an educational guide for the 2016 elections, with tools, resources, and creative strategies to help students understand the political process in this election year. This interactive tool can turn the news of the political race for president into learning opportunities.

The Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with Dollar General Literacy Foundation, presents this issue brief examining the vital role afterschool programs play in building students’ literacy skills, with an emphasis on the need for year-round support. The brief provides detailed descriptions of award-winning and exemplary afterschool and summer learning programs offering fun and engaging ways to get students excited about literacy. This resource offers inspiring examples for literacy programming and projects, as well as research-grounded information to use in garnering program support.

The National AfterSchool Association’s most recent staff development resource features an article by Anna Padget Crocker of the Franklin Institute Science Museum. The eight tips are designed to help staff view STEM as an essential component of afterschool programs without feeling intimidated or overwhelmed. The resource includes a discussion guide and application activities for staff development.

Want to help afterschool STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) blast off in your community? This two-part webinar series is grounded in the FrameWorks Institute’s recently completed study of effective messaging about afterschool and STEM. Learn how research-based communications strategies boost public support for afterschool STEM programs and how to avoid common communications traps that can weaken messages’ effectiveness. View the recordings for part 1 and part 2 of the webinar and find tools and resources on the Afterschool Alliance website.

STEM activities, including arts and crafts, abound on this popular and dedicated STEM Pinterest board. A bonus if you visit soon-it’s loaded with Star Wars STEM projects!

Science NetLinks, a project of the Directorate for Education and Human Resources Programs of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, has several free afterschool science lessons on its website. Hands-on lessons include creating a geyser, constructing models to learn about balance, using marbles and coins to understand the concept of chance, and other fun activities. Each lesson includes a facilitator page, as well as online and printable pages for kids.

This research brief from the RAND Corporation describes the near-term effects of voluntary summer learning programs provided by five urban school districts to large numbers of struggling low-income elementary students in Summer 2013. Early results of the assessment show that students who attended the 5-week programs entered school in the fall with stronger mathematics skills than those who did not. Additionally, five factors had a statistically significant association with mathematics or reading outcomes: consistent attendance, more hours of instruction, teachers with grade-level experience, orderliness of summer sites, and instructional quality.

Afterschool civic engagement programs offer learning experiences that benefit students, the afterschool program, and society as a whole. This article from the National AfterSchool Association outlines steps your team can take to implement a civic engagement program in your afterschool program.

The You for Youth website has new videos for afterschool programs that want to implement or improve STEM programming. Topics include aligning with the school day, strengthening partnerships, program implementation, and high-quality STEM practices and tips from the field. The videos profile different afterschool programs and include insights from afterschool practitioners.