5 Steps to Plan Career-Connected Afterschool STEM Activities

STEM Next’s Career-Connected Learning Framework is a tool designed specifically for out-of-school-time providers to help programs embed career awareness, exploration, and preparation into their activities in ways that are practical, age-appropriate, and grounded in both research and real-world relevance.

To make STEM more accessible for afterschool educators, we’ve outlined a checklist with five easy steps for designing STEM activities for young people in your programs.

STEP 1: MAKE IT MATTER

The opening of an out-of-school time activity, sometimes referred to as a hook, is an engaging introduction designed to capture the attention and curiosity of youth, motivating them to engage and learn. The opening of an activity has the potential to connect the new material to youths’ existing knowledge or lived experience. Use the opening to introduce a real-world phenomenon, story, or challenge, a video or visual, or a question relevant to the topic or theme of the activity. 

STEP 2: MAKE IT HAPPEN

Sometimes referred to as exploration, this part of an activity is a natural next step from MAKE IT MATTER. Exploration allows youth to explore new concepts, ideas, materials, and practice the skills and mindsets of professionals in STEM. This step can take various forms, such as posing a problem for youth to investigate, encouraging them to make predictions and record data, or leading them through the engineering design process. Use the exploration to provide youth opportunities to build durable skills (e.g., collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity) and a growth mindset.

STEP 3: MAKE IT CLICK

Throughout the activity, but especially after MAKE IT HAPPEN, encourage youth to explain their process and thinking and to connect their learning to STEM concepts. Incorporate purposeful questions, sometimes referred to as higher order thinking questions, and facilitate discussions with varying formats: whole group discussion, turn and talk to a partner, small group discussion, a gallery walk, etc. Use this step to provide youth another opportunity to reflect and build durable skills (e.g., communication and critical thinking).

STEP 4: MAKE IT CONNECT TO CAREER

Explicitly connect the topic or theme of the activity to a career or career pathway in a way that resonates with youth. Make the connection by incorporating STEM professionals as role models, showing career videos, inviting guest speakers, taking workplace tours, or participating in career fairs. Use this step to connect classroom learning to the real world and increase relevance.

STEP 5: MAKE IT CONTINUE 

Leave youth with specific ways to continue their learning outside of the classroom and to involve their families and communities. Extend learning by providing activities youth can do with family or friends, asking youth to research careers or interview a local professional, or providing opportunities to visit a nearby college or workplace.