A new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Collaborative is forming to further STEM learning in rural and underserved schools in the region.

Participants have included representatives from Central Valley Afterschool Foundation, Fresno County Office of Education, Educational Resource Consultants, California Teaching Fellows Foundation, California State University Fresno, and the Center for Advanced Research and Technology.

While still in the early stages of development, the group has been discussing ways to mobilize fun, hands-on learning opportunities for youth afterschool in such areas as robotics, agricultural education and water conservation.

Integrated STEM, where STEM learning is integrated into other classes--math learning in cooking classes or artistic science representation in arts classes, for example--is another opportunity to creatively infuse STEM into existing programs.

Afterschool programs are a complement to regular school day classes. Afterschool offers a unique opportunity for STEM learning due to its flexible, non-graded, experiential environment. Studies have shown that when students who did not previously like STEM, thought they were not good at it or thought it was boring, participated in playful, inventive STEM activities afterschool they developed new interests and skills.

We have the opportunity to teach underserved youth in the Central Valley that science, technology, engineering and math not only can be fun--it is truly relevant to their lives!

Join our e-mail list to receive future updates about afterschool STEM learning in the Central Valley.

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Thank you to the 150 business, education and community leaders who participated in "Building Youth, Building Community" STEM Luncheon for Business & Community Leaders. We gathered to be inspired about STEM learning by Dr. Rabi Mehta from NASA's Ames Research Center. We left with new interest, new business-afterschool partnerships, and the impetus to launch the Central Valley Afterschool STEM Collaborative.

Without the support of the following major business sponsors and foundations this program would not have been possible: Walter & Wilhelm Law Firm, Wathen-Castanos Hybrid Homes, Lyons Magnus & Wawona Packing Company, Lance-Kashian, and The Bertha and John Garabedian Charitable Foundation.

Outstanding Companies and Organizations Represented

• ABC30 TV
• ACEL Charter School
• Advantek Benefits Administrators
• A-J Industrial
• American Institute of Architects San Joaquin
• BennettFrost Personnel Services
• Bonadelle Homes
• California State University, Fresno Engineering Dept.
• California Mathematics Council
• California Teaching Fellows Foundation
• Center for Advanced Research and Technology
• Center for Multicultural Cooperation
• Central California Children's Institute
• Central California Builder's Exchange
• Central Unified School District
• Central Valley Afterschool Foundation
• City of Fresno Police Department
• City of Madera
• Clovis Unified School District
• Community Food Bank
• Community Regional Medical Center
• Comcast
• Cool Hand Luke's Restaurant
• Canstruction Competition Team and Mentor Representatives
• Decade Software
• Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning
• Educational Resource Consultants
• Encourage Tomorrow
• Fresno Business Council
• Fresno County Office of Education
• Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital
• Fresno Unified School District
• Fresno County Public Library
• Fresno First Bank
• ITT - Technical Institute
• Lance-Kashian & Co.
• Lennar Homes
• Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Lyons Magnus & Wawona Packing Co.
• Madera Unified School District
• Office of Congressman George Radanovich
• Reading and Beyond
• Reedley Junior College
• San Joaquin Valley College
• Sante Health System
• Solunet
• Sanger Unified School District
• Technicon
• Telepacific
• Trinity Lutheran Church
• The Bertha and John Garabedian Charitable Foundation
• Union Bank of California
• Valley Prep Academy Charter School
• Walmart
• Walter and Wilhelm Law Firm
• Wathen-Castanos Hybrid Homes
• West Hills Community College