STEM Learning Pathways & Career Awareness

Research also tells us that continuous engagement and exposure rather than limited one-time opportunities are needed to nurture the interest and motivation necessary for children to pursue STEM pathways long term. The Moonshot aims to understand and support transitions and handoffs that remove barriers for youth by connecting STEM learning across ages and settings, ensuring youth interest and motivation persists, especially for underrepresented groups like girls, youth of color, and youth from low-income families.

Sep 2024

• Maryland Out of School Time College and Career Readiness Toolkit: This is a comprehensive guide to help middle and high school out-of-school-time programs get laser focused on building 21st century skills and supporting young people as they navigate through the complex world of planning for their advanced education and careers. We will be adding free and low cost professional development resources including videos, online courses and opportunities for live virtual training. Want to help MOST spread the word? Use the Social Media Sharing Resources to spread the word.
  • College and Career Readiness Middle School Playlist: This playlist is designed for middle school audiences focused on the College & Career Readiness Toolkit developed by the Maryland Out of School Time Network. This playlist distills the CCR Toolkit information into an actionable sequence for out-of-school time practitioners to implement with youth in their program. The Playlist consists of eight (8) 60-90 minute sessions aimed at middle school youth and one (1) session of pre-work for practitioners and organizational leaders only. Check out the accompanying CCR Middle School Playlist Youth Workbook. 
• The Impact of In- and Out-of-School Learning Experiences in the Development of Students’ STEM Self-Efficacies and Career Intentions: Highlights in-school and out-of-school experiences impact on STEM education . Includes ideas on how the experience is enhanced. 
• STEM Career Awareness: This paper lists (and expands on) four major and effective strategies to support youth STEM career awareness. 

Aug 2024

• Statistical Science: In this activity kids learn about probability to determine the frequency of different colored M&M’s in a package of M&M candies. M&Ms normally come in six different colors: red, green, yellow, blue, orange, and brown. 
• Turn Milk into Plastic: Is it possible to make plastic out of milk? In the early 1900s until about 1945, milk was commonly used to make many different things from plastic. Milk plastic (usually called casein plastic) can be made easily.  In this activity youth make their own casein plastic out of hot milk and vinegar.
• Cyberchase_Biancas-Body-Math: In this Cyberchase activity, learners use math to explore how parts of the body are proportional. Learners make a measuring device out of string and then use it to measure the length of their forearms, the circumference of their fist, the circumference of their forehead, and the distance from their head to their toes.
• Cool It!: In this fun hands-on activity, learners use simple materials to investigate evaporation. How can the evaporation of water on a hot day be used to cool an object? Find out the experimental way! The activity is based on an episode of Cyberchase called “Digit’s B-Day Surprise” and was developed to capture kids’ interest in math 
• Reverse Engineering: Ball Bounce Experiment: In this activity, learners investigate the properties of different types of balls. Learners conduct experiments on four different balls to see which can bounce the highest and which continues bouncing for the longest period of time. Use this activity to talk about how each ball’s properties are appropriate for their respective sport. This activity also coincides well with math graphing practice.

July 2024

• Maryland Out of School Time College and Career Readiness Toolkit: This is a comprehensive guide to help middle and high school out-of-school-time programs get laser focused on building 21st century skills and supporting young people as they navigate through the complex world of planning for their advanced education and careers. We will be adding free and low cost professional development resources including videos, online courses and opportunities for live virtual training. Want to help MOST spread the word? Use the Social Media Sharing Resources to spread the word.
  • College and Career Readiness Middle School Playlist: This playlist is designed for middle school audiences focused on the College & Career Readiness Toolkit developed by the Maryland Out of School Time Network. This playlist distills the CCR Toolkit information into an actionable sequence for out-of-school time practitioners to implement with youth in their program. The Playlist consists of eight (8) 60-90 minute sessions aimed at middle school youth and one (1) session of pre-work for practitioners and organizational leaders only. Check out the accompanying CCR Middle School Playlist Youth Workbook. 
• Building the STEM Workforce: Quickstart Toolkit: This Quickstart Toolkit outlines strategies for short-term changes that can help libraries accelerate their progress as STEM equity leaders — no matter how far they’ve already progressed in that journey.
• The Strategic Imperative of STEM Education in Workforce Development: In the ever-evolving landscape of workforce development, professionals are faced with the critical task of preparing individuals for success in an increasingly complex and competitive job market. This article explores the profound impact of STEM education on workforce development and provides real-world examples that underscore its transformative potential.

June 2024

Research tells us that continuous engagement and exposure rather than limited one-time opportunities are needed to nurture the interest and motivation necessary for children to pursue STEM pathways long term. The Moonshot aims to understand and support transitions and handoffs that remove barriers for youth by connecting STEM learning across ages and settings, ensuring youth interest and motivation persists.

• Possible Futures — Career Exploration Curriculum: Open source curriculum that complements and enriches both school and afterschool settings 1) expanding career awareness through authentic experiential learning opportunities; 2) encouraging students to explore their diverse interests, talents, and options; 3) enlivening STEM subjects by bringing in real-world and career contexts; 4) empowering students to develop vital employability skills; and 5) engaging students in making informed choices.

Below are some adaptations of the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum specifically for afterschool and summer programs:

• Communicating & Collaborating: Twelve lessons that combine lessons from the Communication and Collaboration units from the Skills for Success module from the Possible Futures Career Exploration Curriculum
• Career Exploration Activities: Designed specifically for Out-of-School Time (OST) providers looking for engaging hands-on and collaborative activities:
  • Health Sciences (6 activities + career posters)
  • Information Technology (4 activities)
  • Lenses on the Future – Self (7 activities)