Skill Development Strategies

The Skill Development Strategies relate to the curriculum and STEM content implemented in afterschool programs. These strategies enable all youth to develop STEM and 21st century skills and focus on helping all youth feel they are capable and can be successful in STEM.

Connected Pathways

This strategy focuses on facilitating connected pathways for youth in STEM. Connected pathways refers to connecting the various STEM experiences and opportunities youth engage in, some of which may lead to STEM careers. Exposing youth to a variety of STEM careers and forming partnerships with other STEM-focused programs can increase youth’s likelihood of pursuing additional STEM opportunities, studies and careers.

Connected Pathways Tactics:

  • Provide opportunities to learn about and explore a variety of STEM careers 

  • Curate partnerships with other STEM programs to encourage further participation

  • Provide exposure to relatable STEM role models who have experienced diverse career pathways

Tips & Resources

  • Provide role model experiences (in-person, virtual, via media). Search the FabFems online directory of women STEM role models and use the IF/THEN Collection to find pictures, posters, videos and activities of women STEM role models.

  • Engage your youth in exploring STEM careers and career journeys of women STEM professionals in the IF/THEN Collection with the STEM Journeys activity: https://ifthen.widen.net/s/f7mvd5nc9b

  • Explore EngineerGirl, an engineering-focused career exploration site for girls that includes descriptions of engineer careers, role model profiles, and guidance for how to pursue a career in engineering.

  • Explore Career Girls, a comprehensive career exploration site for girls to learn about and consider a variety of careers, including STEM careers.

  • Meet and learn from inspiring Latinas working in technology fields at Technolochicas.

  • Watch and share these inspiring STEM role model videos from SciGirls to learn more about diverse STEM professionals and careers.

Curriculum

This strategy focuses on the curricula being used in afterschool programs to develop STEM skills and knowledge. The STEM curricula should be high-quality and provide the opportunity for all youth to engage in authentic STEM practices. The curricula needs to be relevant to all learners and incorporate best practices for engaging girls and underrepresented youth in STEM.

Curriculum Tactics:

  • Foster engineering mindset practices (applying math and computer science) 

  • Create a learning environment that offers voice and choice to engage all youth in STEM

  • Provide opportunities for all youth to do authentic practices that STEM professionals do.

Tips & Resources

Professional Development

This strategy emphasizes the importance of providing equity and inclusion-focused professional development to afterschool educators/professionals. Afterschool educators/professionals benefit from relevant, high-quality training and support to build their capacity to provide equitable STEM learning experiences for all youth. This type of professional development can take many forms but needs to come from a trusted source.

Professional Development Tactics:

  • Provide opportunities for educators to reflect on their own lived experience 

  • Provide training for educators to make STEM personally relevant to all youth 

  • Engage educators in MGM professional development offerings (role models, engineering mindset, growth mindset, etc.)

Tips & Resources

21st Century Skills

In addition to STEM knowledge and skills, it is also important to help youth develop 21st Century Skills, including (but not limited to) collaboration, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. These are key skills for youth as they continue their educational (and future career) trajectory and help to encourage equity and inclusion in an afterschool environment.

21st Century Skills Tactics:

  • Provide opportunities to collaborate and develop collaboration skills 

  • Ask open-ended questions to help youth critically think and deepen their understanding 

  • Facilitate development of a growth mindset

Tips & Resources