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Youth Centric Strategies

Two young girls play hopscotch on a sidewalk decorated with colorful chalk drawings. One girl jumps while the other waits her turn. Green bushes line the right side of the scene.

The Youth-Centric Strategies build on the specific strengths, needs, and challenges of the youth that each afterschool program serves, and focus on helping all youth feel they belong in STEM.

Peer Support

Peer support focuses on helping youth form connections with each other and creating a supportive environment. For girls and youth who have been historically excluded from STEM, having peers who are interested in STEM can be especially beneficial. And for all youth, feeling welcome and comfortable in a STEM space can positively impact how they feel about STEM.

Peer Support Tactics – How to Create a Supportive Environment:

  • Provide a supportive environment for all youth.
  • Encourage positive peer connections 
  • Help all youth feel they are part of a STEM community

Tips & Resources:

  • Use icebreakers to help youth get to know each other and feel comfortable. Try these engineering-focused icebreakers from EngineerGirl.
  • Provide opportunities for structured group work, encouraging collaboration and development of peer connections. See SciGirls Method for Effective Group Work for guidance.
  • Set norms and expectations from the start, providing the opportunity for youth to voice what they need to feel safe and comfortable in the program space.
  • Check any messaging from staff or youth related to STEM and what/who is valued. Work to dispel stereotypes about who belongs in STEM.
  • Create a welcoming space. See these tips from SciGirls.

Positive Youth Development

Positive youth development (PYD) is important in any afterschool program and is a vital component when working to increase access in STEM. Being youth-centered and focusing on PYD can help all youth feel welcome and more likely to engage in STEM opportunities, especially girls and youth who have been historically excluded from STEM. 

Positive Youth Development Tactics:

  • Support all youth to make personal connections to and a greater sense of belonging in STEM. 
  • Help all youth develop self-efficacy and confidence in STEM. 
  • Elevate all youth voice and choice.

Tips & Resources:

Tips & Resources: