How can you engage, amaze and expand STEM learning for your afterschool students? Introducing Siemens STEM Day, a free, standards-aligned online STEM program created in partnership with Discovery Education and Siemens Foundation.

STEM education was created so students would be prepared for the 21st-centuryworkforce—and even for jobs that don't yet exist.

This fall marks the first time that cohorts of afterschool leaders will learn how to coach their own staff in seeing, recording and practicing vital skills needed for effective STEM facilitation.

Over the past decade, afterschool programs have established themselves as a vibrant and important setting to engage young people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Over the past 10 years, developments in technology and how we interact with information have been racing forward at a staggering pace. We are living in the future—and these changes have impacted young people and their education.

In recent years, there has been momentum to include the arts in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning.

Imagine the potential of empowering the 10.2 million children in afterschool programs with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills, while providing them with opportunities to eat healthy and stay active.

Working in the private and public sectors, I have been involved in science education for over 20 years. From parents and principals, to CEOs and administrators, I am passionate and accustomed to fighting for STEM. Today, I need to speak about something more fundamental.

Did you know that The National Afterschool Association is a great resource for STEM professional development? In a recent survey of the afterschool community, 98% of respondents listed NAA as a place to get valuable resources and information to improve STEM offerings and teaching practices.

WHAT IS ENGINEERING?
Scientists study what already exists. They examine the world around them to understand how it works.