This article was originally published as a LinkedIn article by STEM Next Executive Director Ron Ottinger.
Each afternoon, across cities and small towns alike, afterschool and summer programs give young people a chance to discover what excites them. For many, these moments are where curiosity sparks, confidence grows, and new career possibilities come into view.
For 25 years, 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) have made these opportunities possible for millions of kids. As the only dedicated federal funding stream for afterschool and summer programs, 21st CCLC supports more than a million students annually across all 50 states. In these programs, youth expand on what they learn in school and build the real-world skills and career awareness they need to explore essential fields like science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
President Trump has proposed zeroing out 21st CCLC funding, effectively dismantling the backbone of our nation’s afterschool and summer learning infrastructure. America can’t afford to lose these learning spaces beyond the classroom—not when the majority of today’s youth are expected to face careers in sectors like artificial intelligence and space exploration that don’t even exist yet. Afterschool programs are where young people build the curiosity, creativity, and collaboration skills they’ll need to thrive in a future shaped by technologies we can’t yet fully imagine. Now more than ever, we need the programs that give young people a strong start and keep our economy moving forward.
At STEM Next Opportunity Fund, we work to expand high-quality STEM learning outside of the classroom. We’ve seen what happens when kids are given the space and support to explore their curiosity through engaging activities like coding games or building rockets. Without the pressures of tests or grades, they’re free to tinker, take risks, and try again when things don’t work the first time.
These experiences build their confidence and durable career skills like creative problem-solving, teamwork and persistence. And before they realize it, kids are viewing themselves as scientists, engineers and computer whizzes. They begin to see futures in engineering, cybersecurity, biotechnology and other fields driving our economy forward.
The research backs this up. In a multi-state study of youth participating in out-of-school STEM programs, 80 percent said they gained deeper knowledge of STEM careers, 78 percent reported a more positive attitude toward STEM, and 73 percent felt a stronger sense of belonging in STEM.
That feeling of belonging matters. When kids connect what they’re learning to their own lives—and collaborate with friends to solve real-world problems—they’re more likely to stay engaged, go deeper, and see themselves as capable, curious, and creative thinkers. Afterschool STEM programs are uniquely positioned to make these connections.
As of last year, nearly every 21st CCLC program (94 percent) reported providing STEM learning experiences. And the youth they serve consistently report gains in teamwork, critical thinking, and communication — competencies employers rank as most essential in a world with rapidly advancing technologies. This is exactly what the 21st CCLC program was created to do, and it demonstrates the return on decades of bipartisan federal investment.
Young people and their families across America want more of these opportunities in their communities, not fewer. But for every student in an afterschool program today, three more are waiting for a spot. And providers are already operating under strain. According to recent data, more than half of 21st CCLC programs have waitlists, and 90 percent express concern about long-term sustainability.
Meanwhile, nearly 90 percent of parents surveyed said they support public funding for afterschool programs, an all-time high.
These programs don’t just support students — they also make it possible for millions of parents to work, knowing their children are in safe, enriching environments after school and during the summer. If federal funding is eliminated, many of these programs will be forced to close their doors, leaving communities without one of their most effective tools to support working parents today and help the next generation succeed in the workforce of tomorrow.
We’ve come too far to turn back now. STEM learning is more integrated into afterschool and summer programs than ever before. There’s a growing body of evidence proving these programs work. And there is widespread public support for expanding access to them. But progress isn’t permanent. We must continue to invest in the future we want to build. Learn more about this proposal at afterschoolworksforamerica.org.