“…For example, after-school programs that build upon the school day improve academic performance, attendance rates, social skills, and STEM interest (Carpenter, 2015;Constan & Spicer, 2015;Lauer et al, 2006;Miller, 2003;Tyler-Wood, Ellison, Lim, & Periathiruvadi, 2012). Learning gains that result from exposure to after-school STEM at the elementary level also promote youth preparedness for the transition to middle school STEM curricula (Moreno, Tharp, Vogt, Newell, & Burnett, 2016). Relatedly, after-school programs at various academic levels show potential long-term effects on perceptions of science careers, STEM technical skills, and understanding of such skills in STEM careers (Duran, Höft, Lawson, Medjahed, & Orady, 2014;Tyler-Wood et al, 2012;).…”