Researchers considering submitting an ITEST proposal - letter of intent due March 11 - may be interested in the Afterschool Research Agenda produced at this convening, hosted in July 2010 by the ITEST LRC, the National Girls Collaborative Project, and MPR Associates. Convening attendees worked together before, during and after the event to craft a field-informed research agenda to identify gaps and clarify central questions regarding STEM workforce development in the afterschool environment.

Topics for discussion at the gathering included the assessment of program models and core elements, professional development of staff, engaging under-represented groups, partnerships with industry and academia, and scaling and sustainability strategies. The convening and related project dissemination activities are intended to:

• Advance research on replication & scalability of STEM workforce development in afterschool
• Facilitate knowledge sharing & collaboration amongst participants
• Stimulate discussion & plans around future ITEST study proposals on afterschool issues

Funded by the National Science Foundation, this three-day event was held June 9-11, 2010 in St. Paul at Science Museum of Minnesota. The agenda was developed by a planning committee of leading researchers on STEM learning, national experts on afterschool, and PIs of ITEST projects. Selected attendees included researchers in STEM workforce development and informal learning, the afterschool field, the ITEST community, STEM industry, and philanthropy.

White papers based on key challenges in the STEM afterschool field were presented at the gathering and will be published in the near future. A full report of results from the gathering and collected materials will be shared via the LRC website. Please continue to check this space for further details. If you have any questions, contact Tony Streit, EDC Senior Project Director and ITEST Afterschool Convening PI.

For more on the project, visit the ITEST Afterschool Convening website.

Related Links

Selected Research and Resources on STEM & Afterschool
Leading Afterschool Players and Calendar of Events Information Sheet [PDF]