All Informal Education resources

Journal Article

Bridging the Divide Between Classrooms and Corporations

Two years ago, Minnesota STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) leaders from across the corporate, education, and government sectors came together to discuss our individual and organizational experiences related to the gender gap in the ...

By Amanda Svedarsky, and Jennifer Granner

Informal Education Careers STEM

Journal Article

Integrating STEM Into Afterschool

In 2013 The Franklin Institute, a leading science museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received a grant from the National Science Foundation (#1138911) to reach under-resourced urban communities by strengthening the capacity of afterschool centers...

By Suzanne Blanc, Tara Cox, Dale McCreedy, and Alexis Lee Clark

Informal Education STEM

Journal Article

Maryland’s STEMbassadors

The Maryland Out of School Time (MOST) Network has worked since 2013 to build systems that strengthen out-of-school time (OST) STEM education. With support from STEMNext (formerly the Noyce Foundation), the C.S. Mott Foundation, and ...

By Ellie Mitchell, Paul Mincarelli, and Elyse Preston

Informal Education STEM

Journal Article

Understanding Nature Through Active Listening

Sounds are all around us and are useful sources of information for scientists. Unfortunately, we are living in an earbud society in which many youth and adults have “turned off their ears” and go through their daily lives not noticing the wonde...

By Bryan Pijanowski, and Maryam Ghadiri

Informal Education

Journal Article

A Cancer Education Curriculum for Underserved Elementary School Children

Learn how Los Angeles educators implemented a new curriculum to teach underserved elementary students about basic cancer concepts.    ...

By Dieuwertje J. Kast, Anupam Singh, and W. Martin Kast

Informal Education Biology Life Science

Journal Article

Multimedia Connected STEM Learning With Middle School Students

Find out how Denver middle school students practiced digital storytelling as they delved deeply into STEM topics that interested them.  ...

By Janelle M. Johnson, Jayme Margolin-Sneider, and Monica Moreno-Martinez

Middle School Informal Education Interdisciplinary STEM Technology

Journal Article

Interested in Connecting In-School and Out-of-School STEM Learning?

Use the National AfterSchool Association’s resources to learn about best practices for implementing out-of-school STEM learning.    ...

By Heidi Ham

Informal Education

Journal Article

Celebrate Urban Backyards

Find out how the Detroit Zoological Society partnered with local organizations to create Celebrate Urban Backyards, which engages afterschool educators and students in hands-on, inquiry-based programs and activities focused on their urban environme...

By Claire Lannoye-Hall and Zahraa Aljebori

Informal Education Citizen Science Environmental Science

Journal Article

Emerging Connections

Learn about an effective and affordable three-focus approach that brings together academia, the community, and the real world in a way that makes afterschool STEM enrichment available to a wide audience.    ...

By Edward Njoo, Surabhi Narain, Lakshmidevi Pabbisetty, and Mahesh Agrawal

Informal Education Interdisciplinary STEM

Journal Article

Engineering Design Challenge

Minnesota 4-H seeks to improve the quantity and quality of out-of-school STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) experiences for middle school–age youth. In 2013 the Minnesota STEM team, a statewide team of 4-H staff charged with provid...

By Mark Haugen, Margo Bowerman, R. Michael Compton, Anne Stevenson, and Patrick Jirik

Informal Education Engineering

NSTA Press Book

Swing Set Makeover, Grade 3: STEM Road Map for Elementary School

What if you could challenge your third graders to design a swing set that’s safe but still lots of fun? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can!Swing Set Makeover outlines a journey that will steer your students toward auth...

Elementary Informal Education Engineering Mathematics Physical Science STEM Assessment Curriculum Multilingual Learners Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans NGSS Pedagogy Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning Equity Inclusion Interdisciplinary Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Teacher Preparation

Journal Article

Inspiring STEM Interest Using Foldscope

The Gaining Options to College Collaborative (GO College) is a successful college mentoring program within the Erie, Pennsylvania, school district. It provides free, on-site, extracurricular resources for local high schools. Faculty members from Ga...

By Anne Schmitz, Nicholas Conklin, Quyen Aoh, and Barbara Priestap

Informal Education