Afterschool Learning

Once thought of as just an extra, afterschool today has evolved into a part of the school day that is prized for its potential. Afterschool programs can provide young people the opportunity to explore materials and ideas in a fun and flexible environment, with fewer boundaries and time constraints. EDC’s work in afterschool fosters youth-centered, experiential activities; complements in-school learning; and leads to community engagement and career exploration.

• Learn more about EDC’s afterschool work

Afterschool Time

EDC convened a group of experts in the afterschool field to discuss a range of topics related to afterschool, including staffing and professional development, research and evaluation, the role of afterschool programs, and directions for the future.

• Read an issue of EDC’s research journal Mosaic devoted to afterschool
  

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

The Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Resource Center is designed to increase opportunities for students and teachers to apply information technologies to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The center assists projects around the country by engaging in research, providing technical support, and disseminating project models, instructional materials, and best practices.

• Visit the ITEST Web site
• Read a feature article about the ITEST Resource Center

Engineering Activities

Design It! presents activities in design engineering for students ages 7-12. Children can experiment with problem solving, physical sciences, collaboration, and a range of practical construction materials as they build and refine working models of small machines and toys.

• Learn more about this program

Explore It! is an out-of-school curriculum in which children explore familiar phenomena in an extended manner using simple materials to foster science learning. These investigations provide an experiential foundation for the development of concepts aligned with the national standards addressed in formal school curricula.

• Learn more about this program

Read an interview with EDC’s Bernie Zubrowski, who has spent more than 30 years designing hands-on science and engineering programs and museum exhibits. Zubrowski is the project director for Explore It! and Design It!

• Read the Spotlight on Staff

Technology-Enriched Learning

EDC’s YouthLearn Initiative provides a range of resources for youth development professionals and educators on how to use technology and media to create exciting learning environments—both after school and in school. YouthLearn provides a comprehensive Web site, an online community, an electronic newsletter, and an extensive manual, The YouthLearn Guide: A Creative Approach to Working With Youth and Technology.

• Visit the afterschool section of the YouthLearn Web site

Technology for Teenagers

EDC developed a toolkit designed to help locate and evaluate software that is both appropriate for high school students and suited to community technology centers settings. It provides a process for assessing both the needs of learners and instructors and the educational value of different software programs.

• Download a copy of Selecting Educational Software for Teenagers in After-School Settings (PDF, 820 KB)

Science Club for Girls

EDC published a report, Science Clubs for Girls: A Guide to Starting Your Own, which describes how to build, maintain, and finance an afterschool science club. Science clubs aim to counter the disparities and inequities between men and women in science and math performance, career options, and career choices.

• Read a feature article about and download a copy of the report