The Mississippi Statewide Afterschool Network (MSAN) is committed to fostering a love for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in all young people across our state. STEM disciplines are at the forefront of innovation, driving breakthroughs that shape our world and prepare students for successful careers. We’re excited to share some fantastic new resources and opportunities to enhance STEM learning in your afterschool programs!
Featured STEM Resources & Opportunities
1. Discover the World of DNA with Genomics Learning Journeys! STEM Next, in partnership with Illumina, has launched Genomics Learning Journeys – an engaging new resource designed to immerse youth in the captivating world of DNA science. These free, hands-on activity bundles are specifically created for afterschool and summer programs. They help young people develop STEM skills, explore real-world applications of genomics, and discover meaningful career pathways. The journeys include tiered activities for different age groups, step-by-step guides, and videos connecting learners with genomics professionals.
- Learn More: https://stemnext.org/genomics-learning-journeys
- Share Your DNA Day Stories! If you used STEM Next’s resources for DNA Day, they want your feedback to highlight your impact. Share your experiences in a quick questionnaire or send photos to communications@stemnext.org.
2. Bring Teen Science Cafés to Your Community! Want to inspire teens to explore STEM in a fun, social, and youth-led way? Apply now to become a Teen Science Café Fellow! This unique fellowship offers adult facilitators the training, support, and resources needed to launch their own Teen Science Café – monthly events where teens connect with STEM experts over snacks and real conversations about science. Selected participants may also receive $2,500 in startup funding!
- Info Sessions: Join upcoming info sessions on June 18 or July 15.
- Apply for Fellowship: https://bit.ly/3Fs7OZ6
3. Make Afterschool Math Fun with Free Curriculum! Looking for ways to make math more engaging for youth in grades 3-8? The Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum is an exciting, free resource that helps youth develop a math identity and connects math to their lived experiences. Each lesson also has explicit connections to careers.
- Access Curriculum: Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum (Link not directly provided in source for this part, assuming it’s part of the same platform as career modules).
4. Explore STEM Learning Journeys Powered by Verizon™ and STEM Next! In partnership with Verizon, STEM Next has curated bundles of lessons and activities from Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, creating STEM Learning Journeys to help you implement exciting STEM lessons in your afterschool programs. These journeys are packed with activities, lessons, and facilitation guides to make STEM accessible, engaging, and impactful.
- Start Your Journey: Verizon STEM Learning Journeys (Link not directly provided in source for this part, assuming it’s part of the same platform as mentioned STEM Next materials).
5. Free, High-Quality PK-8 Curricula from Museum of Science, Boston! The Museum of Science, Boston’s Youth Engineering Solutions (YES) offers a collection of PK-8 engineering and STEM curricula designed to engage students in authentic, hands-on challenges. These materials promote equity-oriented learning, encouraging all students to see themselves as engineers and problem solvers.
- Download Free Curricula: https://yes.mos.org/curricula/yes-curricula/
6. Free Activities & Interactives for Families from EiE Families! EiE Families, also from the Museum of Science, Boston, has released new activities and interactive introductions to at-home engineering and computer science. These free online resources introduce families to the engineering design process and important computer science ideas, available in both English and Spanish.
- Access Resources: https://families.eie.org/activities/at-home
Strengthening Career Awareness and Exploration
MSAN believes in strengthening career awareness and exploration in out-of-school time to prepare youth for whatever comes next. Inspiring students to pursue careers in STEM fields is essential in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
- 10 Ways to Get Youth Excited about STEM Careers: A site listing 10 activities to engage youth in thinking about STEM careers.
- YES (Youth Engineering Solutions) Careers: Download free “Careers for Engineers” posters to help youth discover career paths in engineering and other STEM fields.
- Connecting Learning Activities to STEM Careers: From Click2Science, this guide includes everything needed for professional development or hands-on activities, with links to video modules.
- Career Navigation Modules for Middle and High School Students: “Ready, Set, Go: Career Navigation” modules are free and downloadable, designed for educators and youth advocates to facilitate learning about career training as postsecondary options.