Out-of-school time (OST) learning can take many forms - from teacher-led programs designed to improve academic performance to multipurpose enrichment activities like clubs and sports. What all OST education efforts share is the wide range of benefits to learners who engage with academic and social activities when school is not in session. 

Happy MASS STEM Week! Today, Monday October 17th marks the beginning of the annual MASS STEM Week, a coordinated effort to boost the interest, awareness, and ability for all learners to envision themselves in STEM education and future careers. This year’s theme is “See Yourself in STEM,” with a particular focus on the power of mentoring.

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, you and your learners can build cross-curricular connections with relevant cultural stories, like Tehya's Pollution Solution Storybook.

Monday, September 19th marks the beginning of National Coding Week, promoting tech skills and tech education in the workplace and schools. National Coding Week was founded in 2014 by former headteacher Richard Rolfe and tech entrepreneur Jordan Love with the intent of encouraging all people to learn new digital skills. During the observed week, STEM educators and computer science professionals focus on promoting coding and digital literacy to everybody in a fun and engaging way. This year’s theme spotlights how learning new digital skills can help solve problems for ourselves, others and society.

As educators, we want to teach our lessons in the most effective way to ensure our learners retain and understand what they’re learning. But we also want to make sure students are engaged and interested in their work, because we know everyone has their own specific needs when it comes to their personal learning style.