The STEM Program pairs graduate students with younger students. Source: RDECOM

After school mentoring programs are a great solution for keeping adolescents out of trouble and on the path to graduation. Understanding this, the New York Academy of Sciences has created the After School STEM Mentoring Program, which matches grade school students in after school programs in the New York City and Newark areas with graduate student students in the Academy’s Science Alliance.

Currently, the After School STEM Mentoring Program has sites in New York City and Newark. The Department of Youth and Community Development partners with the New York City chapter and is a founding member of the program. Mentors connected with the after school mentoring program in Newark partner with Citizen Schools, which offer middle school after school programs to lower income families in the community.

The New York Academy of Sciences staff trains its graduate students in STEM-related curricula to become instructors and mentors in these after school programs, focusing on helping youth to develop foundational science education and creating excitement around the subject. One of the goals of this program is to help turn-around the lagging science achievement of students in these communities and inspire high-need students with energy, enthusiasm, and excitement about science. The Academy is dedicated to providing solid mentors and positive role models to students with an interest in the STEM fields.

To learn more about after school mentoring programs in your community, please contact us at the Over My Shoulder Foundation.