Each week students come together after school to explore the outdoors, learn about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) while building resiliency in Sierra Nevada Journeys’ STEM Explorers program.
STEM Explorers is intentionally designed to help children build academic success, become comfortable in nature, and grow their social and emotional development through facilitated leadership and collaboration-based lessons.
“We expand on what students are learning in science class and supplement it with similar hands-on activities during our afterschool programming. We help students grow their confidence and get them excited about science; they can see themselves going into STEM careers in the future,” said Audrey Bergmann, Afterschool Program Coordinator with Sierra Nevada Journeys.
A recent study by RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research organization, recognized how programs provided outside of school hours help students improve their competency of STEM concepts and social-emotional learning (SEL). Students learn to manage their emotions and build positive, trusting relationships with their teachers and fellow students – all attributed to the benefits of SEL.1
In fall 2021, Sierra Nevada Journeys launched STEM Explorers by partnering with the Washoe County School District and the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadow (BGCTM). The program is made possible by BGCTM’s 21st Century Grant, which supports academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children. Three school sites were selected as the program’s home base: Dilworth Middle School; Sparks High School; and Hug High School. Sierra Nevada Journeys uses nature and the environment as our classroom. In addition to on-campus activities, a variety of nature areas, regional parks, learning centers and museums across the region are used to take the learning outdoors and provide hands-on experiences.
“We’ve taken students to Rosewood Nature Study area to learn about native and invasive species; students also participated in removing invasive plants. Next week we’re going to the University of Nevada Mackay School of Science and Engineering for tours of their labs,” Bergmann said.
“Recently, I learned many of our middle school aged STEM Explorers have never had the opportunity to visit The Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum. You tend to think of The Discovery for young children, but we applied the STEM theories as we interacted with the exhibits. They had a blast,” added Bergmann.
The curriculum flexes throughout the year based on student interests. For example, at STEM Explorers last year, students said they’d love to learn about photography. We now offer lessons examining light, cameras, and lenses – concluding with a cow eye dissection. By allowing students’ inquiry to guide lessons, Sierra Nevada Journeys’ instructors nurture passion, develop curiosity, and reinforce the importance of asking questions.
As recognized by the Afterschool Alliance in 2021 2, participants in sustained, afterschool STEM programs are more likely to become interested in STEM, grow understanding and proficiency, and see themselves involved in STEM enterprises.
Furthermore, STEM Explorers builds on these concepts through intentional SEL. Students participate in activities that increase resiliency and belonging among peers and aids in self-awareness, mutual respect, collaboration, and mental well-being. According to an end-of-the year survey administered to students in STEM Explorers, the majority developed different ways to solve problems and “made friends who care about them.”
STEM Explorers serves a dual purpose of increasing proficiency in STEM subjects, driving an increased participation in the state’s booming STEM industries, while also supporting students’ emotional well-being and promoting connection to their peers. Sierra Nevada Journeys sees first-hand, and hears from teachers, that there is an acute need to incorporate activities that increase connectedness and belonging among students as they deal with the mental impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sources:
1 Katie Tosh, Heather L. Schwartz and Catherine H. Augustine, “Strengthening Students’ Social and Emotional Skills Lessons from Six Case Studies of Schools and Out-of-School-Time Program Partners.” https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Documents/strengthening-students-social-and-emotional-skills-vol2-pt1.pdf
2 “The America After 3PM special report, STEM Learning in Afterschool on the Rise, But Barriers and Inequities Exist,” Afterschool Alliance, p.4; http://afterschoolalliance.org/documents/AA3PM/AA3PM-STEM-Report-2021.pdf
About Sierra Nevada Journeys
Sierra Nevada Journeys is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that delivers innovative outdoor, science-based education programs for youth to develop critical thinking skills and to inspire natural resource stewardship. Through multiple points of contact, our classroom and virtual-based programs, overnight science camps, professional development for teachers, and parent engagement opportunities surround students with resources they need to succeed. All programs are designed to foster higher cognition and build long-term student achievement. Of the 24,000 children that annually participate in our programs, 74 percent come from communities that face financial barriers and 70 percent are BIPOC, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Also, 13 percent of the individuals who attend our programs, are living with a disability.