The Providence After School Alliance (PASA) works with 19 Everyday Explorers (EEs) who facilitate hands-on, inquiry-based Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) learning activities in Providence public middle schools through the AfterZone, PASA’s citywide after-school initiative.

PASA’s EE program benefits from a close relationship with Rhode Island College (RIC) faculty, who help to recruit RIC teachers-in-training. Half of PASA’s EEs are RIC recruits, while the other half are recent graduates excited about giving back to their community. Eager to develop their professional skills, PASA’s Explorers engage in 50+ hours of professional development, as well as experience the opportunity to design and lead their own curriculum for 13-21 youth.

During the first year of EE programming, a citywide survey of EE sites revealed that after spending one year with Explorers, students’ interest and engagement in science significantly increased. In its second year, the Explorers reached 600+ youth across Providence, engaging them in hands-on STEM lessons, including a 10 week, Explorer-designed course about the science behind Harry Potter magic. The Explorers were incorporated into the school day at Roger Williams Middle School, a local, federally designated turnaround school. At Roger Williams, Explorers partner with a Providence public school teacher and a community STEM educator in a blended practice model. Two days each week, Explorers join students on a field experience, such as traveling with youth on Save the Bay boats to survey Narragansett Bay.

2nd year Everyday Explorer Kevin Marin at Roger Williams Middle School:

"During my time in the AfterZone, I can say that I have been impacted by the youth as much as I have tried to impact them. Seeing the interest in the youths’ eyes when they do an experiment, they are interested in, assures me that what we do could potentially impose a greater interest in STEM."

Throughout their year of service, PASA hopes that the Explorers have the chance to grow professionally. They plan 26 weeks of STEM programming and facilitate the lessons with cohorts of 13-21 middle school youth; two Explorers developed their own 10-week curricula which was approved for AfterZone implementation after PASA’s competitive STEM program review process; one cohort of explorers led a workshop entitled "Deepening Inquiry in STEM Lessons" at a statewide conference. They hosted numerous STEM guests—representatives from NOAA, RI’s commissioner of education, the dean of RIC School of Ed., and executive directors from eight after-school organizations around the country.

Michael Campbell, Everyday Explorer at DelSesto Middle School:

"Since starting, I’ve seen so many kids who look up to us, and have seen the differences that we make for them. The fact that they actually like coming to school more and that they feel safe in their community is so rewarding. I love my job, my students, and my community, and I am honored to be a small part in making this world a better, safer place for these middle schoolers with my fellow AmeriCorps team members."