April CYESS roundup: Youth Voice Week recap, messaging for environmental literacy, and a survey to the field on AI

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?

• Youth Voice Week 2026 [April 13–17]: Thank you to everyone who made Youth Voice Week 2026 a huge success. Afterschool programs across the nation joined the Afterschool Alliance and CYESS to amplify the bold ideas and youth-led advocacy of students. From raising awareness around childhood hunger to advocating for the afterschool programs that support them, young people showed the real-world change they’re making, how their programs have empowered them as leaders, and why including young people in conversations that affect our future is critical. Their voices were heard in schools, in the offices of elected officials, and across social media — reaching over 700,000 people online. 

New Resources

• Welcome Arizona State University’s Center for Innovation in Informal STEM Learning to the CYESS Community of Practice! Check out their new blog, “Make Games, Save the Planet,” where 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.

• Message Framing for Environmental Literacy — New Tool from the Afterschool STEM Hub: In recognition of Earth Day, the Afterschool STEM Hub has released a new tool — Message Framing for Environmental Literacy — developed in partnership with afterschool programs engaged in environmental programming. The tool is designed to help programs communicate their work in ways that resonate with a wide range of audiences. Share it with policymakers, funders, and communities to show how afterschool programs are empowering the next generation to identify and solve the environmental challenges they care about most.

• Community Connection and Collective Environmental Action — New Research from CYESS Advisory Board Member Lauren Gibson: CYESS Advisory Board member Lauren Gibson has published new research in The Journal of Environmental Education exploring what drives high school students to take collective environmental action. The findings show that students are more likely to engage in large-scale action when they trust their community, feel connected to its members, and believe they have power within it. The takeaway for our field: if we want to empower young people to create meaningful change, we need to go beyond building individual knowledge and connect them with their communities — with elected officials, caring adults, and local organizations. Read the full article!

AI

• Building AI Literacy for Inclusion in STEM Survey: Are you a K-12 educator working in formal, informal, afterschool, or out-of-school time settings? If so, please consider taking this survey examining how educators across the country are currently using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their learning settings. By sharing your insights, you will help build a clearer picture of the AI landscape in education and support the development of future resources.

Conferences & Events

• Environmental Action Civics Week 2026 [May 11–15]: Join Earth Force and a network of change-making partners for the 3rd Annual Environmental Action Civics Week! Throughout the week, tune in for live conversations highlighting 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.

• 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. See the flyer for more information.

• #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

• Summer 2026 Youth as Solutions® Peacemaking Cohort: Applications are now open! In partnership with 9/11 Day and AmeriCorps, this program invites young people and educators to honor the 25th anniversary of September 11th through meaningful service and community engagement. Participants will design and lead service-learning projects addressing hunger, while building interfaith partnerships and strengthening youth-adult collaboration. From spring training to fall reflection, this experience equips teams with the tools, support, and structure needed to create sustainable, community-driven impact. Apply now!

• 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

• RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals 2026 — Volunteer Judges Needed [Register by May 8]: This June, The Henry Ford is welcoming 500 youth inventors from across the country to meet, showcase their ideas, and compete for up to 80 awards at the RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals 2026. They are currently recruiting online and in-person judges. Online Judging: A 2-hour commitment that can be done anytime between May 15–22 — score students’ video presentations, provide feedback, and inspire the next generation of inventors and entrepreneurs. Register by May 8. In-Person Judging: Register by May 8, attend a 90-minute training webinar on May 18 or May 19, and judge in person at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, MI on June 4.

• 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.