The Institute for a STEM Ready America
Driving innovation in the field of afterschool and summer STEM to revolutionize how we prepare youth for the future of work
The future of work is changing — fast.
STEM jobs are growing at twice the rate of non-STEM jobs, with 65% of today’s youth expected to face careers that don’t yet exist. And yet only a small fraction of young people across America have access to the hands-on STEM experiences outside of school that are proven to help them explore and prepare for the careers of tomorrow.
The Institute for a STEM Ready America acts now to address this urgent gap, rapidly scaling what works in afterschool and summer programs to excite 20 million more youth with STEM by 2030.
The Institute:
- Leverages the critical role afterschool and summer programs already play in exciting youth with hands-on STEM.
- Guides how out-of-school STEM programs infuse career exploration and navigation into youth experiences.
- Aligns what kids learn today with the opportunities of tomorrow — from biotechnology and agricultural innovation to artificial intelligence and space exploration.
- Convenes community organizations, educators, industry experts, employers, and policymakers so that career-connected experiences outside of school are widely available and relevant to youth in every community nationwide.
Centers of Excellence
Through these Centers of Excellence, the Institute ensures that what kids learn and explore in STEM programs today aligns with the careers of tomorrow. Each focuses on a high-opportunity STEM field, forging dynamic partnerships between industry and afterschool and summer programs.
Next-level technology
Inspires youth to explore AI, advanced manufacturing, and the cutting-edge tech shaping our digital world.
Life and health sciences
Engages youth in life sciences, innovation in human health and biotech.
Earth and space learning
Connects youth to big ideas in aerospace, geoscience, and the future of space exploration.
Key Strategies
To keep pace with rapid advances in STEM, we’re supporting the out-of-school-time field with bold, future-focused strategies. The Institute for a STEM Ready America helps youth discover their passions, develop critical skills, and see themselves in the careers shaping our world.
Transforming Career-Connected Learning
Our Career-Connected Learning Framework guides how programs can enhance their curriculum to help youth explore, navigate and prepare for future careers in STEM. It includes actionable strategies to leverage career mentors, advance durable skills and meaningfully engage families.
Driving Innovation Through Field Challenges
The Institute accelerates innovation with time-bound challenge grants that invite afterschool leaders to pilot and scale fresh ideas. By combining funding, training and curated content, these grants help programs bring cutting-edge STEM experiences to youth.
Raising Awareness & Elevating Youth Voices
We amplify youth voices in STEM by sharing their stories and experiences through our Flight Crew program. National campaigns showcase to young people and decision-makers alike that STEM is everywhere and for everyone.