JoinAll Informal Education resources
Journal Article
In 2010 the American Association of University Women (AAUW) published Why So Few?, a research report that synthesized information on the dearth of women in STEM-related fields, and provided concrete recommendations for supporting and retaining fema...
By Vickei Hrdina, Sue Bluestein, Erin Harwood, Pamela M. M. Jull, and Alexander G. Dimitrov
Journal Article
Promoting STEM Interest and Identity Through the 4-H STEM Ambassadors Program
The Rutgers University 4-H STEM Ambassadors program is a collaborative partnership between New Jersey public schools in urban communities in Paterson, Newark, Union, New Brunswick, Atlantic City, and Trenton and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension pr...
By Janice McDonnell, Marissa Staffenova, Chad Ripberger, David Shernoff, Marycarmen Kunicki, Denise Bressler, and Christine Bean
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
Journal Article
STEM Careers for the 21st Century
Welcome to the ninth issue of Connected Science Learning! Having spent most of my career building connections and supporting collaboration in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education, I am quite excited about my new role as CSL f...
By Beth Murphy
Interactive E-book Kids
Kat is a student paleontologist who uses a video chat app to communicate with readers during her expedition to visit a paleontological site in the desert of Egypt. She wants to figure out how a fossil fish came to exist at this site. Readers help Kat...
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
Journal Article
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
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
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
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
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
Journal Article
Take a Fresh Look at Connected Science Learning
Editor Dennis Schatz welcomes you to the latest issue of Connected Science Learning, focused on STEM Learning Through Afterschool Experiences, and introduces the journal’s incoming Field Editor, Beth Murphy. ...
By Dennis Schatz
Journal Article
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
Journal Article
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
Journal Article
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