A quality program designs and implements a flexible, well-rounded daily schedule that supports the physical, social, and cognitive development of all youth by providing programming and activities that are well organized, developmentally appropriate, and offer opportunities to gain new knowledge and skill.
Featured Resource
Giving Youth Control
How do you know when to step in and when to observe and let youth control the learning experience? Click2Science provides learning modules, training and coaching resources, and activities to help staff answer this question in various settings.
Curriculum
The Connectory (STEM Resources and Partnerships)
Engineering is Elementary (STEM Resources)
Experiential Learning Toolbox – UC Davis
Global Learning Quick Sheets, Handouts, and Toolkits – Asia Society
Global Oneness Project (Lesson Plans)
NASA Wavelength (Lesson Plans)
Youth Leadership in Action Curriculum – J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
howtosmile (free STEM materials and resources)
Expanding Horizons: Building Global Literacy in Afterschool Program – Asia Learning Society
Youth Involvement in Prevention Programming – Advocates for Youth
Youth Leadership: Recommendations for Sustainability – Advocates for Youth
Ten Activities to Improve Students’ Self-Concepts – Education World
Teen Advisory Guidebook – David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality
Engaging Youth: A How-To Guide for Creating Opportunities for Young People to Participate, Lead and Succeed – Sierra Health Foundation
Afterschool Materials Guide – Yvonne & Schuyler Moore Child Development Research Center of the University of South Carolina
Make a World of Difference: 50 Asset-Building Activities to Help Teens Explore Diversity (Book) – Dawn Oparah
Assessing Self-Regulation: A Guide for Out-of-School Time Program Practitioners – Child Trends
Teaching Tolerance (Resources & Curriculum) – Southern Poverty Law Center
Adobe Youth Voices Career Toolkit – Adobe Youth Voices
Cooperative Learning Guidebook – David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality
Essential Self Management Skills: Summary of Research – Child Trends
Youth Development Guide: Engaging Young People in After-school Programming – Community Network for Youth Development
Beyond the Classroom: Creating Pathways to College and Careers for Latino Youth – National Council of La Raza
Youtube STEM Resources – National Afterschool Association
Level the Field in Computer Science with Girls Who Code – Afterschool Alliance
Raising a Generation of Innovators: The How and Why of Promoting Creativity in Children – Afterschool Alliance
Research & Best Practices
The Effect of Afterschool Program Participation on English Language Acquisition – Afterschool Matters
English Learners and Out-of-School Time Programs – Afterschool Matters
Foundations for Young Adult Success: A Developmental Framework – The University of Chicago
Leave Them Wanting More!: Engaging Youth in Afterschool – The Harvard Family Research Project
Afterschool Programs That Follow Evidence-Based Practices to Promote Social and Emotional Development are Effective (Article) – The Expanded Learning and Afterschool Project
Leave Them Wanting More!: Engaging Youth in Afterschool (Publication) – Harvard Family Research Project
Ready for Work? How Afterschool Programs Can Support Employability Through Social and Emotional Learning – American Institutes of Research
Foundations for Young Adult Success: A Developmental Framework (Recorded Webinar) – Afterschool Alliance
Core Principles for Engaging Young People in Community Change – The Forum for Youth Investment
Digging into Research: Interest and Identity in STEM (Recorded Webinar) – Afterschool Alliance
Digging into Research: Gender Equity in STEM (Recorded Webinar) – Afterschool Alliance
Youth-Adult Partnership Rubric – Michigan State University: University Outreach and Engagement
Identifying and Supporting Productive STEM Programs in Out-of-School Time Settings (Publication) – National Research Council
Children of Latino Immigrants and Out-of-School Time Programs – Child Trends
Incorporating Technology into Out-of-School Time Programs: Benefits, Challenges, and Strategies – Child Trends
Professional Development
Click2Science (Learning Modules)
- Embracing Active STEM Learning
- Encouraging Collaborative STEM Work
- Selecting STEM Activities
- Giving Youth Control
- Reflecting and Processing STEM Experiences
- Modeling Science and Engineering Processes
- Making Connections to STEM Careers
- Developing a Science and Engineering Identity
STEM After School: How to Design and Run Great Programs and Activities – The After-School Corporation (TASC)
How Cross-Sector Collaboration are Advancing STEM Learning – Expanded Schools
Afterschool Training Toolkit – National Center for Quality Afterschool