Ron Ottinger, the Director of STEM Next and the former Executive Director of the Noyce Foundation, which oversaw much of the investment in afterschool STEM over the past decade, launched a compendium, STEM Ready America, featuring articles on afterschool STEM from 40 authors. The articles are grouped into three main themes: Evidence for STEM (in afterschool); Partnerships for STEM Learning; and Ensuring Access to Quality STEM.

There are many compelling papers in this compendium that lay out strategies for increasing access to high-quality afterschool STEM programs.

While not possible to capture every innovative STEM learning story across the country, these articles seek to capture the breadth and depth of the work happening in states and communities and provide powerful testimonials that help make the case for more quality afterschool STEM programs.