Recent Programme for for International Student Assessment (PISA) shows that United States students’ scores in math and science are less than desirable. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), cited that US students placed below average in math and about average in science among 34 countries. In general, US scored 21st in science and 26th in math, which included about 510,000 students throughout the world who took this exam.

In the same breath, according to the Webster’s Dictionary editor, “The word science had the biggest spike in 2013, 176% increase in look-ups, to be exact.” With this in mind, how can expanded learning programs support not only the understanding of the term science and STEM, but also help to support an overall science and STEM literate citizenry?

As part of the Power of Discovery: STEM2, an initiative facilitated by the California Afterschool Network in partnership with the California STEM Learning Network, a virtual resource has been created to support quality STEM learning.  Access assessment and planning tools, curriculum and activities, professional development and funding opportunities and more at powerofdiscovery.org.  In addition to virtual resources, the Power of Discovery: STEM2 has established Regional Innovation Support Providers  to bring high-quality STEM learning opportunities to youth in expanded learning programs throughout California. Learn more about this growing effort here, and find out why STEM is important to a wide variety of stakeholders.