Exploring the Afterschool STEM Educator Landscape: New Report from the Afterschool Alliance

As the role of STEM  in society and the workforce continues to grow, afterschool programs play a critical role in expanding young people’s access to hands-on STEM learning. They augment what is learned during the school day, with inspiring educators serving as key brokers of experiences that can make or break young people’s relationships with STEM. Yet many programs face ongoing challenges in recruiting, developing, and retaining qualified educators.

To better understand these needs, the Afterschool STEM Hub, an initiative of the Afterschool Alliance, spent the past two years engaging with program providers, educators, professional development leaders, and youth. Their input revealed that educators need more than just program materials—they also need stronger support systems to deliver high-quality learning experiences. The Afterschool STEM Hub has compiled their findings into a new report, Exploring the Afterschool STEM Educator Landscape: Challenges, Needs, and Opportunities, which provides an overview of the challenges, reveals innovative solutions that are already being tested in the field, and offers recommendations for policymakers, afterschool leaders, and funders.

With the right incentives, policies, and professional supports, we can ensure that all youth have access to high-quality, engaging STEM opportunities.

Read the full report at 3to6.co/STEMeducators. You can also check out the Executive Summary here for an overview of key insights.

Please email stemhub@afterschoolalliance.org with any questions about the report.