Tinkering in Afterschool: Evidence-Based Practices

Findings and practices for an equity-oriented, STEM-rich afterschool program.

Findings and practices for an equity-oriented, STEM-rich afterschool program

In the afterschool setting, where there is time for sustained engagement during longer periods of time, tinkering can make STEM more accessible and equitable, especially when it follows these criteria:

builds generous learning environments that emphasize shared activity, process, and iteration
cultivates play and creativity
widens definitions of intelligence and science
treats learning as a purposeful and social endeavor

Explore the resources and findings developed during the California Teaching Afterschool Network, and research and practice partnership designed to surface the unique benefits of STEM-rich learning in out-of-school settings.

A group of students working together in a classroom setting, engaged in a collaborative activity or discussion.

Afterschool Tinkering

We collaborate with several after school programs to share tinkering projects with teachers and kids.

Videos

California Tinkering Afterschool Network

Learning and Equity- Exploratorium Tinkering Afterschool Program

Learning and Equity: Tinkering and Afterschool Program

What Makes a Strong Partnership- Exploratorium Tinkering Afterschool Program

What makes a strong partnership?

Enviornmental Science Workshop: Watsonville

Watsonville Elementary Science Workshop

Research

California Tinkering Afterschool Network

CTAN Featured in ASTC Dimensions

This article describing an overview of our project’s research findings originally appeared in Dimensions magazine (July/August 2016). It is reposted with permission from ASTC.

CTAN Final Report

Making as a Strategy for Afterschool STEM Learning: Report from the California Tinkering Afterschool Network Research-Practice Partnership (2016)

Assisting children learning to work with new tools

Professional Development Needs and Strategies Report

How can professional learning for out-of-school staff be organized to promote equity in STEM learning? (2015)

Two people, a man and a woman, sitting on the floor together while engaging with a young child.

Building Equity One-pager

Guide for Creating Equitable Partnerships (2015)

The California Tinkering Afterschool Network was a research and practice partnership supported by the National Science Foundation and the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.