Do you know someone whose service, research, and action in the areas of STEM influence and have an impact on large numbers of youth and families?

 Nominate those individuals who are doing great things for NAA's Most Influential in STEM today! Nominations close January 23, 2015.

Applications are now being accepted for the STEMworks database of effective STEM learning programs. Any STEM programs that serve preK-12 students and teachers—in or out of school—can and are encouraged to apply. Applications are due Friday, September 12, 2014.

Over the past three years, the National Science Foundation has sponsored a series of STEM Smart Workshops, which have showcased promising practices and resources in support of effective K-12 STEM Education in schools and programs.

As we welcome a new year, I want to take a moment to share ten trends I see on the horizon for the afterschool field:

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies have become a standard part of many afterschool and summer programs' comprehensive programming. While providers and practitioners have long valued the hands-on, inquiry-driven programs, directly seeing the effect afterschool STEM programs have on students means funders, policymakers, and other stakeholders often want data that substantiates such claims and demonstrates positive changes in a variety of outcomes.

 Robotics is a fast-growing program for youth, adding an attractive hands-on component to STEM education. However, many afterschool sites struggle with finding the resources they need to begin and sustain their youth robotics activities.

As we welcome a new year, I want to take a moment to share ten trends I see on the horizon for the afterschool field:

Afterschool programs around the nation have enthusiastically embraced science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Some major afterschool providers, like 4-H and Girls Inc., have long made STEM a priority and in recent years.