Science, Technology, Math, & Engineering

Massachusetts afterschool and summer programs are a key component of supporting the building of STEM identities for children and youth, especially for girls and non-binary youth and children of color who are underrepresented in high-paying STEAM careers. By including hands-on activities that support a creative engineering mindset, incorporating role models into programs, engaging parents and families around STEM careers, and centering equity in all aspects, STEAM programs can help prepare the next generation of innovators.

MAP is partnering with the Million Girls Moonshot to connect afterschool and summer programs with resources to improve STEAM programming and increase access across the country.

Click here to learn more!

STEM Volunteers

Less than 50% of high school girls know a woman in a STEM career. Let’s change that - recruit STEM professionals to support the youth you serve today! 

The Moonshot helps to connect STEM experts with OST programs! Share your program’s volunteer opportunities for STEM experts to work with your youth today! Register here to find role models and mentors in STEM.

STEM SPOTLIGHT

Flying Cloud Institute

Check out our PSA on the importance of STEM learning in afterschool, featuring the Flying Cloud Institute’s Makerspace and Girls Science Club programs.

Support your program through

Professional Development and Special Opportunities

Are you interested in supporting your program’s STEAM programs through professional development opportunities? MAP’s partners through the MGM initiative offer FREE opportunities on planning a comprehensive afterschool program curriculum, elevating youth voice and choice in your program, and hiring summer interns. Check out their latest offerings below!

  • The Institute for Resilience in Youth (ISRY) is leading an opportunity for Out-of-school time (OST) programs providing STEM to K-12 youth in Winter/Spring 2024 to study how to effectively partner with parents and caregivers. Selected programs will receive professional development, learning community support and a $2,500 stipend for their contributions.

    Programs are encouraged to APPLY HERE by January 10, 2024: https://redcap.partners.org/redcap/surveys/?s=KFED8RKR8PMDYKDL. Contact Dr. Patty Allen, ISRY’s Director of Research with questions at pallen@mclean.harvard.edu.

  • January 10, 12:00 - 1:30pm EST / 9:00 - 10:30am PST

    Well-prepared CS learning experiences are relevant, engaging, and appropriate for youth. Knowing how to effectively prepare for computer science learning will support inclusiveness and safety, and help you maximize youth engagement. This workshop focuses on selecting and planning CS experiences for all your program participants. REGISTER HERE: https://unl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkcuCsrDIoHNJb7cN2hHdtG2e5AQANK3q7#/registration

  • Tuesdays: 1/16, 1/30, and 2/13/2024 6:00 - 8:00 pm EST / 3:00 - 5:00 pm PST

    Questions begin a path toward discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice. This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. REGISTER HERE: https://acrescoaching.org/modules/asking-purposeful-questions/ Code: AC325PQ (Coach Emma C)

  • (For OST professionals who have completed Asking Purposeful Questions)

    Wednesdays: 1/17, 1/31, 2/14/2024 11am - 1pm EST / 8am - 10am PST

    How often do youth in your program get to choose what they’re investigating or designing, the materials they might use and/or how they engage with the work? In this module, participants try out strategies for elevating youth voice and choice and apply the ideas as they redesign a STEM activity to incorporate a greater variety of youth input. *The expectation is that you will be live at all three sessions and an active member of this coaching cohort. Recordings are not available if you are unable to attend. REGISTER HERE: https://acrescoaching.org/modules/elevating-youth-voice-and-choice/ Code: AC346VC (Coach Becky T)

Check out our STEM Opportunity Library- a list of afterschool, summer programs, internship and job opportunities for youth in Massachusetts! By increasing awareness of existing programs, we hope to increase access to STEM programming and encourage students to explore opportunities for STEM careers.

This library is intended to be living document. If you know of a program or opportunity that isn’t listed, please contact chloe@massafterschool.org so we can add it to the list!

Free Curriculum and Classroom Activities

  • Supported by the Mott Foundation, Mizzen is available at no cost to afterschool professionals! Encourage partners to download the Mizzen By Mott app to access STEM activities at your finger-touch! You’ll find it in Mizzen here.

    Featured Activities & Playlists

    Mizzen Playlist: STEM Activities for K-5th Grade in Small Groups - This playlist is a great mix of engineering and science activities that are easy and fun for small groups of students.

    Mizzen Playlist: Science Notebooks for 3rd - 12th Grade - Keeping a notebook can help your students think and act like scientists and engineers. Sample these easy-to-implement strategies and lessons to bring science notebooking into your program.

    Mizzen Module: S.INQ Up Earth and Space for 6-8th Grade - Earth and Space is an inquiry and exploration-based curriculum that uses hands-on activities focused on the relationships between the earth, the so

  • First Woman Camp Experience: Hands-on activities that accompany NASA’s “First Woman” graphic novel series

    James Webb Space Telescope STEM Toolkit: Virtual and classroom resources related to the James Webb Space Telescope.

    Sun STEM Toolkit: Virtual and classroom resources related to the sun.

    Sustainable Aviation STEM Toolkit: Virtual and classroom resources related to aviation.

    NASA Coloring Pages: Color and learn about some faraway worlds with these coloring pages.

    NASA for Students Grades K-4: Fun activities centered around all things NASA. Games, puzzles, color, and more.

    Space Place Art Challenge: Space Place monthly art missions. Draw, color or paint the subject of the month.

  • Camp Goldie Blox offers free resources and online videos for STEAM programming! https://goldieblox.com/pages/steam-at-home