STEM Active Learning After School Programs

@jmartinhiner @KeystoneAEA #KeystoneAEA #aea1sci

STEM Active Learning After School is an initiative of the Iowa Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with the STEM Active Learning Community Partners, through a grant from the Noyce Foundation. Their slogan “Doing- Learning- Becoming” fits with their goal of ensuring STEM offerings in afterschool programs are environments that are conducive to learning, curiosity, and experimentation. In doing so, children are given opportunities to further develop STEM content knowledge and practices and provide chances to reflect on that learning. This environment also promotes strong relationships, connects learning to the broader world, and prioritizes voice and choice.

To measure the success of an afterschool program, the Iowa Afterschool Alliance utilizes the Dimensions of Success (DoS), a self-assessment observation tool that pinpoints twelve indicators of STEM program quality in out-of-school time. The areas listed above are all components of the assessment: Features of the Learning Environment, Activity Engagement, STEM Knowledge and Practices, and Youth Development in STEM.

To best support after-school programs, the DoS Planning Tool is available for free from the PEAR Institute (https://www.thepearinstitute.org/dos-planning-tool) which breaks down each of the categories into actionable criteria to organize and plan student experiences.

As a member of the Statewide Science Leadership Team, Jason Martin-Hiner and I were able to experience how the criteria play out when enacted through an experience. In this case, we looked at fruit and vegetables and made predictions for each one as to whether it would sink or float in the water. Of course, the explanation and conversation were important!

From there, we conducted tests and compared our results with our predictions. I have to say, a few were stumpers, I mean really, what is up with that sweet potato? Did it float or sink? Explain buoyancy there my friends! And, if you are super curious, experiment with an orange.  As you can see, this activity definitely connects to the “hands on, minds on” goal for any STEM activity. I love connection of the DoS criteria in supporting 4 C’s we often talk about in lesson design— collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity! Now, what would be a great next step with this activity, after predicting, testing, and comparing results? How could students generate ideas of why it’s important to understand buoyancy. 

Would you like to learn more about the Active Learning Community Partners and Iowa Afterschool Alliance? Contact Gracie Brandsgard at gbrandsgard@sppg.com or for general questions, talk with your Keystone science consultant Jason Martin-Hiner (jmartin-hiner@aea1.k12.ia.us) or Keystone STEAM consultant, Bev Berns (bberns@aea1.k12.ia.us)