Afterschool STEAM Program Expands Opportunities for East Kern Students

Across Eastern Kern County, after-school learning is taking shape in colorful, creative ways, from students sketching owls and imagining new planets to older students programming microbits and exploring the basics of coding and engineering. These opportunities are part of STEAM Expanded Learning for Mojave, a partnership between the Mojave Unified School District and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.

This week, students once again dove into hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and connect classroom learning to real-world topics.

Some students studied animals such as owls, combining art and science as they drew while learning about habitats and behaviors. Others explored travel through literature, following an astronaut’s journey and connecting it to discussions about the recent Artemis II mission around the moon. They then brought their ideas to life by designing astronaut suits or creating their own planets through art.

For older students in the program, the focus is on technology, with opportunities to work with microbits and build early skills in coding, problem-solving, and engineering.

The program’s growth has been just as dynamic as its lessons, beginning as a four-week summer initiative and expanding each term in response to student interest and participation. Following a seven-week fall session, it extended this spring to 15 weeks, with students meeting two hours a day, Monday through Thursday.

“True partnership is developing between the principals and KCSOS,” said Sheri Dees, Content Coordinator for Academic Technology for STEAM and Expanded Learning at KCSOS.

Dees said the program’s growth comes down to a few key factors. Many mentors are from the Mojave community, which helps build trust with students. Local aides at each site already know the students, creating a stable and supportive environment. And word of mouth has also helped the program grow, as students encourage others to join, along with steady support from program leadership.

For mentors like Katie Reddig and Madelyn Ohmit, the program’s impact is deeply personal. Both have worked at Mojave Elementary School since October, and their experiences have inspired them to pursue careers in education.

“I think, honestly, the program, especially being in Mojave, has been a really good thing for the kids,” said Reddig. “Having mentors from the local community, who understand the students and share genuine enthusiasm for seeing them each day, has had a positive impact on both the students and their readiness to learn.”

She added that the relationships built with students are what stand out most.

“I love when they ask about our day or say they missed me. Those little moments really matter,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ohmit said working with students has reshaped her understanding of learning. 

“Students are so amazing and they open my eyes to the learning process,” she said. “It’s so great to be a part of that and the relationships we build with them.”

Those relationships are a key part of the program’s approach. To support both students and staff, the program emphasizes social-emotional development, with Jami Butler, Program Specialist for MTSS within the Department of Social Emotional and Academic Support at KCSOS, leading trauma-informed training for mentors to better understand and respond to students’ needs.

As the program continues to strengthen that foundation, it is also expanding its reach into the larger community. Local industry leaders have expressed interest in supporting STEAM education and developing future workforce pathways within the community, creating potential opportunities for continued growth.

“It’s exciting to see that growth,” said Dees. “Not only for the academic learning and opportunities for students, but also the local educators in the region.”