out-of-school time and afterschool Archives

From systems leadership to learning ecosystems stewardship_feature: group of kids watch an educator giving a presentation outside

From systems leadership to ecosystems stewardship: A next step for OST intermediaries?

The benefits of comprehensive learning ecosystems are vast, but a vital part of maintaining and stewarding them will fall on OST programs/intermediaries.

On learning and meaning making _feature: group of youth working at table together

328

From the Field

On learning and meaning making

Katherine Plog-Martinez speaks with Kim Sabo Flores about how meaning making—reflecting on and making sense of experiences—is crucial to youth development.

Giving Tulsa students a clear path from curiosity to career_feature, afterschool STEM: group of youths in rocket and drone club along with mentor/teacher

488

From the Field

Giving Tulsa students a clear path from curiosity to career

Afterschool STEM programs spark interest and help students build skills and confidence while increasing awareness of STEM careers.

On readiness to change, youth development_feature: three youths at youth organization even happily discussing something

910

Opinion

On readiness to change

Katherine Plog Martinez speaks with Arielle Lentz about the importance of youth organizations' readiness to implement science-based youth development.

College students can help close the gap between demand and availability for afterschool programs_feature: young woman with group of excited young children around model volcano in afterschool program

1.3K

Opinion

College students can help close the gap between demand and availability for afterschool programs

These collaborations benefit the institutions and partner organizations, the college students serving in these afterschool program roles and local youth.

learning ecosystems: Young boy sits with head in hands at white desk

2.8K

Opinion

Why unconstrained kids need unconstrained ecosystems

Understanding developmental pathways of constrained and unconstrained skills helps realize the importance of learning ecosystems.

Unmet demand for afterschool programs is painfully high_3 in 4 youth missing out_feature: group of youths running outside

2.2K

From the Field

Unmet demand for afterschool programs is painfully high: 3 in 4 youth missing out

Middle- and lower-income families struggle to access afterschool programs because of cost, availability and accessibility.

Is the youth development field confident enough about its contributions to learning to disrupt K-12 education_feature: group of youths learning from man in greenhouse

2.0K

Opinion

Is the youth development field confident enough about its contributions to learning to disrupt K-12 education?

We must recognize the youth development and OST fields as complementary systems that are too important to ignore and essential.

Philadelphia OST arts education program grants: group of youths with drums playing energetically

758

Grants

Philadelphia area OST community-based arts education program grants

GRANT FOCUS: Arts Education, Out-of-School Time, OST, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Amount: Up to $450,000 | Deadline: Oct. 23, 2025

From turnover to graduation_Rethinking out-of-school time staff retention: education/youth professional working with students outdoors

1.5K

Opinion

From turnover to graduation: Rethinking staff retention

Out-of-school time (OST) program staff have long been seen as transient, fueling high turnover rates which are detrimental to youth development outcomes.

what is the next step_career pathways, postsecondary transition: group of youths being helped at table by woman

1.9K

From the Field

Navigating to next: Making complex pathways clearer with people-powered supports

In a complex economic landscape and postsecondary ecosystem, youth need navigators and postsecondary transition coaches.

Afterschool STEM education: young black boy working on laptop connected to robotic wheel device

3.6K

From the Field

Afterschool STEM: Turning curiosity into careers and citizenship

A growing body of evidence shows that high-quality afterschool STEM programs excite and engage youth.

Expanding horizons, essential developmental relationships _evidence of afterschool impacts_feature: group of students and afterschool workers at a table outdoors doing work

2.4K

From the Field

Expanding horizons, essential relationships: The evidence of afterschool impacts

We learn and grow through relationships — and when these are paired with high quality learning and leadership opportunities, real transformation happens.