Educational opportunities in science and math shouldn’t stop when the school bell rings. Balancing formal and informal instruction in STEM can be an effective way to introduce and engage student interest in the subjects. Many experts note participation in afterschool activities help students learn the oft-desired soft skills, such as teamwork and communication, and the enjoyment and social setting is apt to prompt a youngster’s passion for STEM more quickly—and sustain it. Such extracurricular activities can take many forms—research projects, visits to local factories, mentors, contests, and clubs—and are provided by schools, parent volunteers, college students, community groups, businesses, universities, and organizations. This panel will identify STEM afterschool programs with proven track records of motivating and inspiring youngsters’ interests in STEM, explain possible connections that instructors can make with in-class lessons, and address topics such as how to fund such efforts to spreading the word among parents and students.
