Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS)

CYESS was busy in 2024, but so were our incredible partners! The California Academy of Sciences developed Youth Action for the Planet (YAP), a youth-led program that puts student voices front and center in the conversation around climate action and conservation. The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) introduced a free curriculum for out-of-school time practitioners to facilitate youth-led exploration, research, and advocacy around ocean sustainability. And so much more! Check out the full suite of blogs from our #CYESS partners: https://lnkd.in/e8hdeN8G

At #3 in our 2024 countdown, we have our #CYESS Survey Dashboard. This dashboard offers a look into the current landscape of afterschool STEM programs offering community engagement and youth empowerment opportunities—and the strategies they're implementing! Check out the dashboard or find out how you can contribute to the data! https://lnkd.in/exsyDiBK

In 2024, we released our Resource Database—that deserves a spot at #4 in our countdown! Our searchable database offers curriculum, professional development, and research at the intersection of STEM, Civic Engagement, and youth empowerment, designed for out-of-school time programs at all stages of their youth voice journey. Browse the database or bookmark for later: https://lnkd.in/eahRBxDt

It's been a busy year for us. Join us in counting down to the new year with the top five moments at the Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS). 💪 At #5, we have the development of our Theory of Change! We're working to convene STEM-based civic engagement program practitioners, including young leaders, to leverage their expertise in engaging youth with STEM in afterschool settings to be civically engaged. See how we're keeping ourselves accountable.

The U.S. Department of Education invites young people ages 13+ and the schools that serve them to co-design innovative approaches and strategies for addressing healthy social media use, digital citizenship education, and responsible technology policies! Read more about Digital Well-Being Challenge and how you can apply today. Challenge closes January 9: https://lnkd.in/eGatpKEd

We are so excited to share with you the final Afterschool STEM Quarterly Research Review newsletter of 2024! We are closing the year out with feelings of hope and inspiration as we share research demonstrating the impact youth are having in their communities through engagement in afterschool STEM. Check it out! https://lnkd.in/g2CEqDjx

Celebrate #CSEDWeek with computer science-focused activities for afterschool. See how you can integrate technology into the classroom or promote computer science through hands-on learning! Resources available from #CYESS partner #MillionGirlsMoonshot: https://lnkd.in/ec6ZYcKA

What are the top goals for out-of-school time programs working at the intersection of STEM, teen leadership, and community engagement? Our report finds that the highest-ranked goal was to excite and inspire teens about STEM, build confidence, and prepare teens for the workforce! ⚛️ What is your program's goal for your young people? Let us know below! Access the full report here: https://lnkd.in/g8YMwefQ

It's #CSEDWeek! Young people in afterschool are learning the computer science skills they need to make their communities better, safer, healthier, and more sustainable—like the youth participating in Technovation Girls! During the course of the program, girls ages 8-18 build a mobile app or AI-powered tool to help address an issue they care about, outline a business plan, create a prototype, and enter their product into a global competition! https://lnkd.in/ef_ThTJ5

If you're an afterschool STEM provider, this is your sign to check out our Resource Database! See how to avoid tokenism when engaging young people, build effective youth-adult partnerships, promote authentic dialogue, and more! https://lnkd.in/eahRBxDt