STEM Ready America is a compendium from 40 authors presenting bold and persuasive evidence—as well as real-world examples of effective practices, programs, and partnerships—on how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) knowledge and skills are preparing young people to be successful in school today and the workforce tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s coders, economists, nurses, and engineers are right now learning essential skills including critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and teamwork. From Executive Editor Ron Ottinger of STEM Next, this essential compendium portrays the state of the field of STEM learning and how afterschool and summer learning programs—with their flexible learning environments—are ideally positioned to both prepare and inspire young people.
Individually each article here tells a powerful story of how afterschool STEM programs work in a unique context. From Oregon to Nebraska to New York City, the authors share the research, partnerships and practices behind their work and offer recommendations for policies and resources. Together the articles form a compendium to be published in book form in June 2017. Leaders and advocates who care about youth, STEM and afterschool are encouraged to use these articles to help make the case for more quality programs and support systems.
Developed by STEM Next with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, STEM Ready America builds on the award-winning 2013 publication Expanding Minds and Opportunities: Leveraging the Power of Afterschool and Summer Learning for Student Success edited by Terry K. Peterson, Ph.D., which made the definitive case for the power and effectiveness of afterschool programs and summer learning.
The Evidence for STEM
The purpose of this set of articles is to establish the solid research base for documenting the accomplishments of STEM in afterschool and summer programs. Collectively they introduce the nature of the research, the kinds of outcomes that we have come to expect from afterschool and summer programs, and policy implications of the major findings. Read More
Strengthening Partnerships
This section highlights state efforts to build systems of partnerships to expand and improve STEM afterschool and summer learning. Articles show both commonalities and differences in state level strategies and resources. The articles describe partnership efforts in Oregon, Indiana, Nebraska, New York State, and across cites. Read More
Ensuring Equity and Access to Quality STEM
This set of articles highlight organizations and partnerships that have developed innovative, scalable approaches to expanding access to STEM learning. Afterschool and summer programs have the potential to level the playing field by preventing summer learning loss and supporting students’ engagement in STEM. Read More
Explore the Research
With an innovative research design, a team from the PEAR Institute at Harvard University and McLean Hospital and IMMAP: Institute for Measurement, Methodology, Analysis & Policy at Texas Tech University surveyed nearly 1,600 youth and their program leaders in 160 programs across 11 states. They collected and analyzed data from observations of programs, student self assessment and teacher/facilitator questionnaires to create a fascinating new look into STEM in afterschool.