Welcome to this month’s Simply STEM activity! Today, we are recreating a small desert! With just 3 ingredients, we will learn how to recreate the gritty texture of sand at home! This is a quick and easy lesson to introduce your students to different biomes and ecosystems! Time: 25 minutes ...

The submission deadline is September 22, 2023 (more…)

Welcome to this month’s Simply STEM activity! Today, we are recreating a volcano eruption! This activity will allow your students to see how different chemicals react when they are mixed together. Before you start the activity, ask them to make predictions about what will happen when the vinegar mixes with...

Now accepting applications for presenters! We invite you to apply to present at our 2023 Annual After School Conference.  We are looking for workshops that will support staff in their efforts to provide amazing learning opportunities and supportive spaces for children in creative and innovative ways.  Submission deadline: August 18, 2023. Learn...

Welcome to this month’s Simply STEM activity! Today, we are making a bird’s nest! Your students will be challenged to design a nest that can hold weight without breaking. They will test their engineering skills while also practicing patience. While the task may seem simple, your students will have to...

If you missed our annual meeting on June 16th, here is a recap of our year. We thank you for your continuous support and hope that we at The Network also supported your programs throughout the year.

Welcome to this month’s Simply STEM activity! Today, we are making a mini terrarium garden! A terrarium is a small enclosed space filled with plants. They are usually in small glass containers and are designed to look like a small version of a garden. This activity is perfect for students...

The Connecticut State Department of Education is about to release its Request for Proposals for the After-School Grant Program for Grades K-12 for the two-year period ending June 30, 2025. New Round of After School Funding - RFP is LIVE! Applications for these grants use the state's eGMS (electronic grants...

Afterschool Alliance has conducted a series of surveys since COVID began to ensure that afterschool and summer learning programs build on the innovations and lessons of the pandemic. This ninth and final survey remains important for funders, policy makers, education leaders, and the overall public to understand the supports afterschool...

Welcome to this month’s Simply STEM activity! Today, we are making our own cell phone stands! Your students will have to figure out how to design a cell phone stand that is stable and will be able to hold the weight of their cell phone. They can come up with...

Every year on April 25 since 2003, scientists, biologists, and genetics enthusiasts come together to observe National DNA Day, celebrating the discovery and research into DNA and the scientific advancements that helped make progress possible. National DNA Day encourages people to learn more about the science that makes them genetically...

Welcome to this month’s Simply STEM activity! Today, we are making a catapult made out of popsicle sticks! We will discover how to engineer a stable catapult in order to launch small objects. I made my catapult St. Patrick’s Day themed, but you can use any colors and launching material...

On March 22, 2023, Governor Lamont announced plans to launch Intensive Mathematics Tutoring Program for Students in Grades 6-9 to address learning loss from pandemic. The Connecticut High-Dosage Tutoring Program is a new statewide program for students in grades 6 to 9 that will provide intensive tutoring in mathematics to accelerate learning...

Welcome to this month’s Simply STEM activity! Today, we are making our own lava lamp! In this activity, we will learn about how oil and water interact. We will also see how Alka Seltzer tablets react with the oil and water. I made my lava lamp Valentine’s Day themed, but...

Welcome to this month’s Simply STEM activity! Today, we are creating a maze! In this activity, we will learn about how to create a maze out of straws to be able to get a marble to the other side of a paper plate. Name: Paper Plate MazeTime: 10 minutes Description:...

Start Your 2023 Journey with the Power of Us Workforce Survey—Contribute to the First of Its Kind National Survey about the Youth Fields Workforce!  January marks both a new year and a new opportunity to take the Power of Us Workforce Survey! Staff and volunteers—including afterschool leaders, mentors, coaches, librarians,...

NAA's Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders identifies young leaders and recognizes and cultivates the talent of afterschool champions who have the potential to influence the field of afterschool for years to come. The selected emerging leader honorees will have demonstrated contributions that have started to influence beyond individual programs to organizations...

We are still looking for applicants if you are interested and did not meet the first application round.  If you are looking for an opportunity to explore and build comfort with sharing STEM learning as a regular part of your program? Are you a frontline educator and want to learn...

Application deadline extended - November 27, 2023 The Flight Crew is a group of youth advocates promoting the value of out-of-school STEM learning and equity in STEM for young people across the nation. The 2023 Flight Crew will participate in eight months of youth development and public speaking training to...

November is a busy month! November 8th is National STEM Day - let’s make it a blast! (more…)