DID YOU KNOW that November 8 is National STEM Day? This is a great opportunity to do activities or host a special event that highlights Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math at your Club!
We know that STEM careers are growing at double the rate of non-STEM careers, and that they pay nearly 30 percent more. We also know that women and minorities are woefully underrepresented in STEM fields. Boys & Girls Clubs can be a place that sparks a passion for STEM in our members, and helps them achieve their educational and career goals.
November 8 is National STEM Day here in the U.S., which means that now is the time to start making a plan! Whether you host a celebration throughout the Club or just plan an activity in your area, there are lots of ways to have fun with STEM. Even now when I go back to my Club and talk to my members, the projects they most remember are the STEM projects.
One incredible resource for STEM lesson plans is the National Afterschool Association’s STEM Gems site. There, they post complete PDF lesson plans that are designed to use easy to obtain materials and for afterschool professionals who may not be experts in STEM. I used them multiple times with multiple age groups. The most recent STEM Gem explores tree biology to ask why leaves change color in the autumn. Check out the intro video:
You can find all of the STEM Gem activities here.
Additionally, if you are a BGC staff member with a login to bgca.net, we have a TON of other Club-specific resources for you! Check out BGCA’s STEM page for everything, including:
- Our BRAND NEW STEM Activation Guide which will help your Club assess your STEM readiness and build a robust strategy
- The DIY STEM curriculum with activity ideas in content areas like Food Chemistry, Aeronautics, and the Science of Sports.
- You can also learn more about our newly redesigned My.Future digital learning platform. (Stay tuned to the Club Experience Blog for more!)
I know there are SO. MANY. CLUBS. that have done incredible STEM programming, and I want to feature you on the Club Experience Blog! You can comment below or email me at ClubXBlog@bgca.org so that your ideas can be shared with the Movement.
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