Intro to STEM Mentoring RI Afterschool and Summer Programs
The overall goal of Mystic Aquarium's STEM Mentoring RI Initiative is to positively impact the social-emotional development and academic achievement of youth, grades K-12th. STEM Mentoring RI afterschool and summer programs consist of fun, hands-on activities, group projects, and multimedia connections that engage mentors and mentees in a variety of STEM topics, with a particular focus on conservation. All STEM Mentoring RI project activities have been carefully crafted to support STEM, environmental stewardship, literacy and numeracy educational goals in alignment with the Rhode Island Department of Education K-12 educational framework. Through weekly group mentoring sessions and additional STEM enrichment activities, youth are exposed to inspiring scientists, engineers, and conservationists, who represent a variety of careers and education pathways. By providing consistent, high-quality, STEM-focused mentoring experiences, STEM Mentoring RI encourages a reduction in high-risk behaviors, improvement of academic success indicators, and an overall increase in knowledge of and interest in STEM topics and careers for participating youth and mentors.