• After School
After School Matters: History, Benefits & STEM Programs
What if the most impactful STEM learning happened not during school, but after the final bell rings? Read this article to find out more!
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Written by
Edison Chen
Overview
Afterschool programs have become a vital extension of the school day, offering students opportunities to explore, create, and grow in ways traditional classrooms often can’t. With time and space to engage in project-based learning, students build both academic skills and personal confidence. This is especially true in STEM-focused afterschool initiatives, where hands-on learning fuels interest in science and engineering fields. According to Afterschool Alliance, participation in these programs leads to a 73% increase in interest in STEM careers⁸, highlighting their power to influence future pathways.
Origin of Afterschool Programs
Afterschool programs in the United States trace their roots back to the late 19th century. During the 1880s, the rise of industrialization led to urban migration, and many children were left unsupervised after school hours. To address this, settlement houses and community centers began offering structured activities to keep youth engaged in safe environments¹.
In the early 20th century, organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and 4-H were established, focusing on character development, education, and vocational skills². These programs aimed to provide constructive outlets for youth, especially those from underserved communities.
The 1990s saw a significant federal investment in afterschool initiatives with the introduction of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program in 1994. This program provided funding to create community learning centers offering academic enrichment during non-school hours, particularly for students attending high-poverty and low-performing schools³.
Today, afterschool programs have evolved to encompass a wide range of activities, including STEM education, arts, sports, and social-emotional learning, supporting the holistic development of children and adolescents.
Benefits of STEM Camps
Enhanced Academic Performance
Participation in afterschool programs has been linked to improved academic outcomes. A study by the U.S. Department of Education found that students attending 21st CCLC programs showed significant gains in reading and math achievement⁴.
Improved Social and Emotional Skills
Afterschool programs provide opportunities for students to develop essential life skills. Research shows these environments support positive relationships, enhance communication, and build a strong sense of belonging⁵.
Safe and Supportive Environment
These programs offer structured, supervised settings during critical hours, reducing the likelihood of youth engaging in risky behaviors. The National Conference of State Legislatures notes that afterschool participation is associated with reduced juvenile crime rates⁶.
Exposure to Career Pathways
Afterschool initiatives frequently introduce students to future careers through mentorship, project-based learning, and enrichment. Programs that focus on STEM are especially effective in boosting student interest in these fields⁷.
How Lectec can Enhance STEM Afterschool
Lectec’s electric vehicle kits are designed specifically for hands-on, student-led STEM learning, making them ideal for afterschool programs. Through engaging projects, students build and test real electric skateboards while applying core concepts from physics, engineering, and mathematics. The impact is tangible: Lectec’s program participants report a 20% increase in interest in STEM careers and a 27% boost in confidence using tools. The flexible format also fits easily into weekly afterschool sessions or intensive STEM camps, supported by a learning management system with interactive videos, structured lessons, and gamified content.
In Mineola, Lectec partnered with the Synergy program, a once credit-recovery-focused initiative serving students at risk of not graduating. Through this collaboration, Lectec helped transform the program into a student-driven learning environment centered on career exploration, hands-on projects, and personalized education. As students assembled and tested electric skateboards, they didn’t just learn mechanical principles, they gained real-world insights, problem-solving experience, and increased motivation. As Alyson Klein from Education Week highlighted, Mineola became a place where students had more control over how they learn, with STEM experiences like Lectec’s playing a crucial role.
At the City College of New York (CCNY) STEM Institute, Lectec led high school students through an immersive afterschool course titled "Engineering: Building an Electric Skateboard." In this project-based environment, students explored electrical systems, drive mechanics, and real-world physics by building a functioning electric skateboard from the ground up. Beyond the technical skills, students developed collaboration, perseverance, and pride in seeing their designs come to life. The program provided not only exposure to STEM fields but also a strong foundation for future study and career exploration, empowering students to see themselves as capable engineers.
Ready to Ride Into the Future?
If you're ready to spark creativity, curiosity, and real-world skills in your students, Lectec is your go-to toolkit. Our electric vehicle kits turn young minds into builders, thinkers, and problem-solvers. Each activity brings STEM concepts to life through engaging, hands-on experiences.
👉 Ready to level up your afterschool program? Visit Lectec.com to explore kits, resources, and book a demo today.
Resources
Afterschool Alliance. A History of Afterschool. https://www.afterschoolalliance.org/afterschoolsnack/A-history-of-afterschool_07-02-2019.cfm
Wikipedia. 4-H. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4-H
Wikipedia. 21st Century Community Learning Centers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_Century_Community_Learning_Centers
Time. After-School Programs and Academic Achievement. https://time.com/4704661/trump-budget-after-school-programs/
School's Out Washington. Afterschool Programs & Social Support. https://schoolsoutwashington.org/washington-parents-say-afterschool-programs-provide-the-social-developmental-mental-health-supports-many-students-need-now/
NCSL. Supporting Student Success Through Afterschool Programs. https://www.ncsl.org/education/supporting-student-success-through-afterschool-programs
NIH. Afterschool Programs & Career Exposure. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4597889/
Afterschool Alliance. STEM Interest Increase from Afterschool. https://www.afterschoolalliance.org/documents/STEM-Factsheet-2021.pdf