CYESS May resource round up: New data on summer, environmental action civics, and building the field

A compilation of upcoming opportunities, resources, and events relevant to out-of-school time practitioners in STEM, civics, and teen leadership for the month ahead.

This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance’s Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs highlights examples of programs working at the intersection of STEM and civic engagement. We are excited to showcase the systemic change young people can make in their communities when their afterschool programs support them to layer action onto their STEM learning. If you would like to know more or submit a blog about your youth action program, please contact us.

Where has CYESS been?

• A New Era of Youth Service Summit: This month, Anita represented the Afterschool Alliance and CYESS as one of 40 national leaders convened by Youth Service America (YSA) for “A New Era of Youth Service Summit” in partnership with the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) and Points of Light. Sponsored by The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread, the group worked on a strategy to double youth participation in volunteering & service, voting & civic engagement, youth voice & leadership, and joining & philanthropy over the next 10 years. It will launch this summer with the goal of building the next 250 years of American democracy and active citizenship. Learn more.

New resources

• America After 3PM: The Summer Struggle for Everyday Families — New National Data: On May 19, the Afterschool Alliance released brand new national and state data on summer program participation, unmet demand, and parent perspectives — drawn from our hallmark America After 3PM nationwide household survey, conducted roughly every five years. Executive Director Jodi Grant shared top takeaways and engaged in conversation with Gigi Antoni (The Wallace Foundation), Lindsey R. Blevins (Tuscaloosa City Schools), Carlos M. Gonzalez Jr. (Roma Independent School District), and Sheriff Travis Patten (Adams County Sheriff’s Office). Watch the recording for what the latest figures reveal, what this means for families and communities today, and policy recommendations moving forward.
   
• Environmental Action Civics Week 2026 — Recordings Now Available: Earth Force and a network of change-making partners hosted the 3rd Annual Environmental Action Civics Week from May 11–15. Throughout the week, live conversations highlighted the people, training, evidence, and partnerships advancing the field of Environmental Action Civics — and accelerating the integration of youth-led learning into schools and communities nationwide. Visit the EAC Week site to access recordings from the week’s sessions.
   
• “Make Games, Save the Planet” — New Blog from Arizona State University’s Center for Innovation in Informal STEM Learning: We are excited to welcome Arizona State University’s Center for Innovation in Informal STEM Learning to the CYESS Community of Practice! Their new blog shares how 12 teens spent three years co-creating a video game about water scarcity and sharing it with Arizona communities. What stands out: the blog is written by the teen creators themselves, sharing what made the program work from their perspective. Their insights on youth-centered design — from the importance of choice to why you need to teach collaboration before leadership — are essential reading for anyone in this field. This is youth voice, STEM learning, and civic engagement working together beautifully.
   
• STEM Advocacy Platform — New from the Afterschool STEM Hub: Join the Afterschool STEM Hub’s new STEM Advocacy Platform, where, in addition to resources, you can connect with a peer community to engage, learn from, and collaborate with in shared advocacy.
   
• The Power of Young People — Hurricane Ian and Peer-Centered Recovery from NYLC: In this episode of The Power of Young People, Sam, Jolie, and Julianna from Kids4Kids Relief share their experiences navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Ian and leading peer-centered recovery efforts in their community. Together, they reflect on the emotional impact disasters have on young people, the importance of restoring normalcy, and why peer support can play such a powerful role in healing and resilience. As climate-related disasters continue to affect communities across the globe, this episode is a reminder that young people are already stepping up with empathy, innovation, and action. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you stream podcasts!
   
• CivicScape from trubel&co — Data Civics for Educators: Calling educators curious about place-based, data-driven learning. Data civics helps students use real community data to investigate the world they actually live in — air quality, housing, health outcomes, coastal conditions. CivicScape makes that possible for any teacher, any subject, any grade. Gio, its built-in AI curriculum builder, generates standards-aligned, map-based activities tailored to your location and course — no data experience required. trubel&co is inviting educators to join their trusted testers program: early access to Gio, a vetted map and dataset library, standards-aligned activities across subjects, and an educator community with async coaching support. If you’ve been thinking about bringing data literacy or civic inquiry into your practice, apply at trubel.co/curricula and #sparkgoodtrubel.

Conferences & events

• Teen-Led Unconference on Climate and the SDGs [June 7 | 1:00–5:00 PM | Hybrid: Arlington, VA Central Library or Online]: Join the Global Co Lab Network for a hybrid unconference bringing together teen and adult stakeholders to discuss local and global solutions for climate change and intersecting SDG issues. The day will feature participant-led conversations, networking opportunities, and career exploration. Teens anywhere can register for free.
   
• #SLC26 at the 2026 Points of Light Conference [June 22–25, 2026 | Washington, D.C.]: Join NYLC at the Points of Light Conference for #SLC26, where educators, youth leaders, and changemakers come together to explore how service-learning drives meaningful impact. Through interactive workshops, inspiring sessions, and opportunities to connect with a nationwide network of peers, attendees will gain practical strategies to elevate youth voice, strengthen communities, and lead lasting change. Whether you’re new to service-learning or looking to deepen your work, this experience will leave you energized and ready to take action. Register now! Rates increase after May 31.

Opportunities for youth

• Carnegie Youth Fellowship [Applications Close May 31, 2026]: A paid, national civic leadership experience for high school students ready to strengthen civic learning and engagement in their communities. The Carnegie Youth Fellowship brings together high school students from across the country to explore civic issues, exchange perspectives, and lead meaningful change. Fellows collaborate, conduct research, and amplify youth voice in shaping the future of civic learning and engagement. Applications for the 2026–27 cohort are open now!

Professional development

• Earth Force Train-the-Trainer Course in Environmental Applied Civics [June | No Cost | Stipends Available]: This June, with EPA funding, Earth Force is offering a no-cost Train-the-Trainer course in Environmental Applied Civics. Rather than a standalone program, Earth Force’s framework for youth-led action is designed to be integrated into existing initiatives to deepen student leadership and civic outcomes. This training is designed for organizations that provide professional development, rather than individual classroom teachers. Stipends are available! Email kdorfman@earthforce.org with questions, or see details and sign up.
   
• Smithsonian National Education Summit [July 14–16 | Virtual & In-Person, Washington, D.C. | Free]: The Smithsonian is hosting its sixth annual National Education Summit, bringing together leading education experts to explore instructional strategies and resources that empower educators and their learners. As our nation marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this year’s theme — Together We Thrive: Towards a More Perfect Union — invites us to reflect on our shared story and imagine the future we want to build.

Ready to connect with others doing this work? Our Community of Practice brings together educators, practitioners, and partners advancing youth empowerment in STEM and society. Reach out at cyess@afterschoolalliance.org to get involved. Stay updated by following us on LinkedIn and subscribing to our newsletter. You can also read the Monthly Round Up on the Afterschool Snack.