STEM education access grows in afterschool programs despite rural and income disparities

A new study by the Afterschool Alliance reveals a significant increase in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) opportunities within afterschool programs. Currently, 92% of parents report that their child’s afterschool program offers STEM learning, a substantial rise from 69% in 2014.

Despite this growth, significant disparities persist based on socioeconomic status and geography. Students in rural communities and low-income families have less access to these opportunities compared to their urban and higher-income counterparts. For instance, while 96% of urban parents report STEM availability in afterschool programs, that figure drops to 88% for rural families. Furthermore, rural parents report significantly less exposure to computer science and technology education.

Experts note that while many effective teaching strategies and curricula exist—supported by organizations like the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education—the challenge remains in scaling these innovations to achieve systemic transformation and meet the demands of the future workforce.