Projects

Looking for inspiration? We publish blogs highlighting programs working at the intersection of youth leadership, community engagement, and STEM learning. Many of these programs are run by our CYESS partners but we welcome blogs from anyone who is engaged in this work. Please contact us via email if you would like to discuss submitting a blog about your work to us.

Program Blogs

Want to do this work but don't know where to start? There are a plethora of resources that can support you to incorporate youth voice and community engagement in your STEM programming or vice versa! We have collected and curated curricula, toolkits, frameworks and more to help you out. Check out the database and email us if you have a resource you would like us to consider including.

CYESS Resource Collection

Everyone needs funding for their programs! The Afterschool Alliance's Funding Database helps you search for funding by state, grade level, and also filter by funding type (private or government). We have added tags to search by program area such as civic engagement and community service in addition to STEM and workforce development. Application deadlines, eligibility requirements, and a brief description of the opportunities are available at a glance, and one click will get you to the details of the funding announcement. Take a look!

Afterschool Funding Database

How are afterschool and OST programs approaching the intersection of youth leadership and community engagement with STEM in their initiatives? We conducted a study to find out! Our report describes our findings from our survey and interviews along with recommendations for what we need to amplify and scale such approaches. We have also developed a database that lets you search by program type so you can dig in more - check out the dashboard! Think your program should be included and add to our knowledge base? Add your information by clicking on the survey below!

Exec Summary Full Report Dashboard Add your information

We are serious about understanding the change we want to bring about and holding ourselves accountable. CYESS partnered with Public Profit to develop a robust Theory of Change and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for our work. Check it out!

Theory of Change

CYESS Youth Consultants are a group of young people aged 13-22 passionate about making change in their communities! As young leaders affiliated with CYESS partners and related organizations, Youth Consultants are self-identified experts on a variety of topics, and are eager to provide their input and expertise to policy, industry, and program professionals.

If you are an adult who wants to tap the expertise of these young people, Contact us! The CYESS Youth Consultants can speak on panels, provide feedback on an array of projects, proposals, or legislation, and participate in communications campaigns and outreach as appropriate.

If you are a young person aged 13-22 who wants to join our cohort of youth consultants, you can sign up by joining our google classroom! You will join a group of youth who share your desire to make change and access national, state, and local opportunities we share with the cohort. You can also take advantage of training modules we have developed to help you be a good advocate.

Join the CYESS Youth Consultant pool

Being able to tell a compelling story about your program is crucial as you seek partners, participants, or funding. You need both well-crafted messages and research or data that can help you make the case for your work. Our carousel below on CYESS illustrates how we discuss the importance of afterschool programs in supporting youth civic engagement.

If you incorporate science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) in your programming, our Afterschool STEM Hub has both research and an advocacy toolkit that gives you the data, tools, and materials to help you spark support for more STEM programming in your community. Explore the research and dig into effective talking points and messaging tips; download videos, graphics, photos, and ppt slides; and check out some sample elevator pitches and newspaper editorials!

Read the research Prepare for conversations Engage your audience Take action