The Importance of After-School Programming for STEM Education and Planting Seeds for Future Careers

Today, the need for strong foundations in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills has never been greater. As industries increasingly rely on these disciplines, there is a growing emphasis on the role of after-school programs in cultivating the next generation of innovators. Devina Bhojwani, president and co-owner of the innovative education-based franchise IDEA Lab Kids, underscores the importance of these programs in shaping young minds and preparing them for future careers.

“Students spend almost 261 days of their year in an after-school program, and we wanted it to be meaningful,” Bhojwani said. “We wanted it not just to be babysitting, where they wait around and do their homework. Integrating STEM into these programs allows students to engage in hands-on projects.”

After-school programs, Bhojwani says, are not merely an extension of the school day but a vital space for enrichment. Schools are recognizing this more and more, with districts placing an increased focus on after-school enrichment. These programs are becoming a core component of education, especially as students and educators alike seek engaging content beyond the traditional classroom setting.

As the job market continues to expand in STEM and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) fields, exposing students to these areas at a young age provides them with a significant advantage. 

“Utilizing the time that these students have after school to expose them to STEM is a great advantage,” Bhojwani said.

One of the unique aspects of IDEA Lab Kids is the broad range of activities offered, allowing students to explore various interests. This exposure is crucial in helping students discover what they love — and what they don’t. 

“With our projects, students get to do activities in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, and they get to try out different things, like a cooking class or a hands-on science experiment,” Bhojwani said. “Introducing kids as young as four and five to these hands-on activities helps them get exposed to careers that will be relevant to them in the future.”

The after-school projects at IDEA Lab Kids meet the Next Generation Science Standards, with a proper balance of core ideas, practices and crosscutting to teach scientific principles effectively.

“One of our school districts taught a lesson on different layers of soil during the day,” Bhojwani said, illustrating the impact of IDEA Lab Kids’ approach. “Then, in the after-school program, students did a project with edible soil cups, using chocolate pudding, graham crackers and gummy worms. The paraprofessional teaching the after-school session noticed that students were not only having fun but also deepening their understanding of the lesson they had learned earlier in the day.”

This hands-on approach reinforces the day's learning and ensures that education extends beyond the classroom. Bhojwani believes that after school programs like those offered by IDEA Lab Kids play an essential role in STEM education. By providing students with opportunities to explore and engage with STEM fields early on, these programs plant the seeds for future careers, ensuring that the next generation is well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The franchise fee of $35,500 provides an assigned territory for establishing a location and for offering IDEA Lab On-the-GoSM. The startup costs for an IDEA Lab Kids franchise can range from $163,000 to $465,000. To learn more about franchising with IDEA Lab Kids, visit https://1851franchise.com/lyricoslearning/info.