Afterschool STEM Participation Has Grown Since 2014

A new report shows that 92 percent of parents now report their children have access to STEM activities in afterschool.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Secondary Education

Screen-print poster illustration of a modular robotics component and glass beaker, evoking hands-on STEM education and scientific discovery. — Participation in afterschool STEM programs has reached 6.4 million students nationwide, with 92 percent of parents reporting access to activities as of 2024. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Afterschool Alliance published a study titled Afterschool STEM Takes Off, revealing that student engagement with STEM in afterschool programs has risen to 6.4 million nationwide. Parental reports of their children having access to such programming increased from 69 percent in 2014 to 92 percent today.

Why it matters

Programs aim to foster essential STEM literacy as a foundational skill for modern life and prepare students for the future workforce. By providing hands-on experience during out-of-school hours, these initiatives allow children to explore interests and solve real-world problems.

Nationwide, 54 percent of families report their children participate in STEM activities at least two or three times per week. While 88 percent of rural families report access to these programs, urban participation reaches 96 percent.

The players

Afterschool Alliance

This is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and expanding support for quality afterschool programs across the United States.

The details

The report highlights that STEM offerings in afterschool programs have seen growth in every U.S. state over the last decade. Despite this widespread availability, the alliance notes that 22.6 million students have parents who want these programs but currently lack local access.

In 2014, parental reporting of STEM engagement was 69 percent.
By 2020, parental reporting of STEM engagement had risen to 73 percent.
Between 2014 and 2025, STEM offerings increased in every state.
The Afterschool Alliance published the report in September 2026.

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Culture Shift

The expansion of STEM in afterschool programs mirrors a broader cultural shift toward prioritizing technical literacy from an early age. This movement reflects a societal transition where digital and scientific fluency are increasingly viewed as essential prerequisites for long-term career success.

Parents can expect increased availability of STEM-focused enrichment, though rural families may still face a gap in local program accessibility. Families interested in these services can use the current enrollment data to advocate for better funding and targeted investment in their local school districts.

The takeaway

STEM literacy is now a standard component of afterschool care for the vast majority of American students. Families should explore local district offerings to determine if their child's specific program includes the technical and engineering components recommended for future workforce readiness.