For parents in search of meaningful afterschool programs for their kids, STEM is now a huge deciding factor. New research from the Afterschool Alliance shows that nearly 2 in 3 parents value STEM when choosing an afterschool program, up considerably from over a decade ago. Meanwhile, 77% of parents agree that afterschool programs can help children gain interest and skills related to STEM.
And, KID agrees! We believe that STEM means more than teaching the hard skills that lead to STEM-related jobs. What’s even more important is what kids learn along the way – how to embrace failure as part of the design process, think creatively, solve real-world problems, and collaborate with purpose. These are the skills that will translate into future success.
Afterschool at KID Museum is about creating meaningful experiences for kids outside of the classroom through making, experimenting, and innovating with others, sparking curiosity for STEM-related skills and interests.
For example, in KID’s Innovative Lab Art afterschool program for grades K-1, students learned about electrical engineers and how they use electricity to create systems that help us every day before exploring how circuits work and creating their own drawbots.
As part of the lesson, students were challenged to imagine a way for a drawbot – or a robot that draws patterns – to stand and how electrical engineering could change our future.
Through this maker learning, students not only learn the engineering behind a working machine, but also begin to recognize problems as ones they can solve while connecting them to a purpose they can see and care about.
In another project, students developed perseverance while creating code for their own Bee-Bot robot before designing a costume and programming it to “fly” in their own parade.
As parents prepare for the 2026 back-to-school season, we’re excited to continue empowering students to embrace STEM through our After-School lineup, offered for grades K-8 at our Bethesda, MD location. Registration is now live for Fall After-School sessions!
Check out our 2026 Fall After-School lineup below.
Fall After-School Session 1: Tuesdays, September 8 – October 13, 2026
Grades K-1: Robot Explorers
Students will tackle a new challenge every week with special programming kits.
Grades 2-3: Make It Move
From vehicles to vibrating creatures, students will design and test their own moving creations.
Grades 4-5: Game Makers Lab
Imagination leads the way in the ultimate game-making experience, from custom game boards to original characters.
Grades 6-8: Fab Lab
Maker Educators provide the inspiration, then students are free to design their own projects using various skills
Fall After-School Session 2: Tuesdays, October 27 – December 15, 2026
Grades K-1: Innovative Art Lab
Students will ignite their imagination to create one-of-a-kind artwork while developing important skills.
Grades 2-3: Super KIDs
Students become superheroes as they design their own superhero identities and build the gear to go with them.
Grades 4-5: Engineering Big!
Through a series of larger-than-life problem-solving challenges, students will put their engineering skills to the test.
Grades 6-8: Woodshop
From creating a box with a hinged lid to inventing something of their own design, students will build both playful and practical creations.
Explore all KID After-School sessions and register your child here before September 8!
