Mobile Making: A hands-on STEM afterschool program led by undergraduate facilitators

For nearly a decade, we have operated a university-based afterschool STEM program in local schools and community centers. Mobile Making is designed around research-based principles for effective afterschool programs and reaches approximately 750 youth each year, the majority of whom are members of underrepresented minority groups. In weekly, 90-minute activities we seek to make STEM relevant for participants, and promote their STEM self-efficacy and interest. A diverse group of CSU San Marcos students ("STEM Ambassadors") lead sessions and serve as near-peer mentors. Ambassadors are important role models and connections to the university for the diverse youth participants, many of whom would be first-generation college students. One of the program design principles is to incorporate university-community partnerships. Collaborative, two-way partnerships help support and sustain engagement, and the involvement of site personnel (K12 teachers, administrators, and afterschool coordinators) is essential to our program. We will share outcomes, lessons learned, and describe how other universities can engage in or initiate similar efforts.