The Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program
Inspire the Next Generation of Scientists
The New York Academy of Sciences’ Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program (ASMP) recruits undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs and STEM professionals to mentor elementary and middle school students with the goal of inspiring a lifelong interest in STEM. In partnership with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), participants are placed at one of our many afterschool sites around New York City and commit to teaching 1 session a week, over a 10-12 week period. Participating Mentors receive training in STEM curriculum (we offer courses ranging from genetics to space science) and youth development, and work with a site staff partner to implement weekly sessions.
COVID-19 Update
The safety of our participants and the communities we work with is incredibly important to us, and we will be closely following NYC and DOE guidelines regarding in-person sessions in the coming months.
As such, we are currently working with our partner sites to conduct virtual sessions of ASMP where possible. Recruitment of new program mentors is anticipated to resume for the Fall 2020 session. Please check back for more updates.
Click here to learn more about the Academy's response to COVID-19.
Our Impact
Since our launch in 2010, we have placed over 1,000 scientists into afterschool programs all over the NYC area and impacted 13,000+ students! Check out the map below to see some of our most recent Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program sites.
Be Notified When Fall 2020 Recruitment Begins
Program Sponsors
ASMP is possible because of generous support from our program sponsors:
Contact us if your organization is interested in supporting programs like this!
Why should you become an ASMP mentor?
Young people who have the opportunity to meet real scientists and engineers — and who are exposed to science through active inquiry-based learning — are more likely to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Yet many of our children have never met or interacted with a “real” scientist, particularly in our most underserved neighborhoods. By serving as a positive role model of a real-world scientist or engineer, you can inspire curiosity and excitement about STEM topics, and positively influence the career aspirations of students in NYC.
Need more incentive? Accepted participants also receive a stipend and a yearlong Membership to the New York Academy of Sciences!
Frequently Asked Questions
Be Notified When Fall 2020 Recruitment Begins
Family Science Nights
Interested in volunteering but short on time? Contact us to volunteer at one of our Family Science Nights!
Research shows that interactions with STEM professionals can transform kids’ views of science, and positively impact their career aspirations. But most students in the New York area rarely have the opportunity to meet and interact with real scientists. That’s why the Academy created an outreach effort called Family Science Night, which recruits Academy Members, grad students, postdocs, and STEM professionals to spend an evening working with elementary and middle school students and their families by leading interactive, hands-on activities. These events help parents feel more comfortable with STEM content and, more importantly, allow the students to become the experts and to think of themselves as scientists.
Upcoming Family Science Nights
**Due to the current global outbreak of COVID-19, our Family Science Nights are currently postponed until further notice.
Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering when sessions restart.
Frequently Asked Questions
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