A Vermont nonprofit that supports afterschool and summer enrichment classes in science, technology, engineering and math education (STEM) has been awarded a $120,000 grant from the Noyce Foundation to increase the reach of the program around the state and to provide professional development and improve the overall quality of the courses.
“We want kids to say, ‘I do science! I like science! I want to do it more!’” said Tracy Truzansky, coordinator of Vermont’s Afterschool STEM program.
Vermont Afterschool supports quality afterschool programming as well as summer enrichment learning opportunities. The group has been working to expand access to afterschool and summer programs that promote STEM, according to Holly Morehouse, executive director at Vermont Afterschool.
“Our ultimate goal is for every child and youth in Vermont to have opportunities to engage deeply in and benefit from high-quality STEM learning experiences,” she said. “Exposure to STEM and related careers is a pathway to success that Vermont Afterschool is eager to continue building through our statewide network of partners and providers.”
STEM is a way of introducing and educating students informally to the science and technology skills needed for 21st century jobs. Girls and minorities have been a target audience for STEM programs as they have been less likely to study or work in STEM-related fields.
A recent study by the Afterschool Alliance found that students who took part in STEM afterschool programs were more likely to graduate from college and pursue a career in a STEM field.
“Afterschool and summer STEM programs give children and youth opportunities to develop some of the capabilities that we know are so essential, such as the ability to reason from evidence, the ability to problem-solve, and the ability to persist and stick with a project long enough to fine tune it or make it better,” Vermont Secretary of Education Rebecca Holcombe said in a news release.
The Noyce Foundation grant will be used by Vermont Afterschool to improve and expand the training of staff working in the afterschool and summer programs. It will also be used to provide technical assistance and coaching and mentoring for groups expanding STEM offerings in an effort to increase the number of programs and hours offered. Finally, the group hopes to discover the best ways to assess STEM programs for quality and student learning.
“Through this grant, Vermont Afterschool will collaborate with libraries, museums, nature centers, 4-H and other STEM entities to ensure a sustainable and accessible STEM experience for kids beyond the bell,” Truzansky said.
