Alabama Expanded Learning Alliance

09/22/2026

Help young people discover where an interest in health and life sciences could take them with this new toolkit from STEM Next Opportunity Fund. The Eyes on Health Toolkit gives afterschool educators practical resources to connect youth with careers across the health and life sciences sectors. Explore hands-on activity bundles based on real-world challenges, facilitation guides, and career profiles that highlight different pathways and the skills needed to pursue them.

Explore the toolkit: https://bit.ly/4h4Ndc0

09/16/2026

🚀 Busy afterschool professionals, this resource is for you and you don’t have to use it all at once!

The STEM Next Launching Futures Toolkit offers activities, career-connected learning resources, family engagement ideas, professional learning, and tools to help young people explore STEM and aerospace careers.

Think of it as a resource shelf, not another program to implement. Start small: choose the age group you serve, find an activity that fits what you already do, and explore a career connection that shows where that learning could lead.

✅ Need a hands-on activity? You’ll find one here.
✅ Want to connect it to a real STEM career? Resources are available.
✅ Looking to build communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and other durable skills? You’ll find support for that, too.
✅ Need ideas for engaging families or community partners? Keep exploring.

You don’t have to do everything. Find one useful resource and start there. ❤️🚀🔬

🔗 Explore the Launching Futures Toolkit at the link below:

The Launching Futures Toolkit equips educators with tools to connect young people to careers in the aerospace sector.

09/15/2026

Lights On Afterschool is coming up October 22!

Ready to celebrate the impact of afterschool programs across Alabama? Now is the time to start planning your Lights On Afterschool event.

✨ Get inspired. Visit the Lights On Afterschool website for event ideas, resources and inspiration to make your celebration your own.

📅 Register your event. Whether you’re hosting a big community celebration or a smaller gathering with students and families, every event helps shine a light on the importance of afterschool.

Let’s make October 22 a day to celebrate the programs, educators and young people who make afterschool possible.

Get inspired. Register your event. Celebrate afterschool!
https://afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm

09/11/2026

🎉 WE ARE OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT! 🎉

The 2026 AELA XL Out-of-School Time Conference is at capacity! We are so excited to welcome an incredible group of OST professionals from across Alabama to Gulf Shores this November! 💙

Still want to join us? Get on the WAITING LIST!

👉 Simply use the conference registration link to add your name to the waiting list.

https://forms.alavoices.org/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F53779

If a spot becomes available, we’ll reach out!

Thank you for the overwhelming support of Alabama’s OST community. We can’t wait to see everyone at XL 2026 — Where Alabama OST Leaders Grow! 🌱

09/10/2026

Applications are OPEN for the 2027 STEM Next Flight Crew!

STEM Next is looking for youth ages 13–18 who have participated in afterschool, summer or other out-of-school STEM programs and are ready to share their STEM stories.

Selected teens will represent their states as part of a national cohort while building leadership and communication skills and championing the value of afterschool and summer STEM.

Encourage a young person in your community to apply by Oct. 29: https://bit.ly/4xPaYvz

09/09/2026

Thankful for Senator Arthur Orr and his continued support of Alabama’s children and families!

He understands that investing in out-of-school time (OST) is also an investment in Alabama’s workforce. Quality afterschool programs prepare our children to become tomorrow’s workforce while providing safe, enriching care after 3:00 p.m. so parents can stay on the job.

Supporting OST means supporting children, working families, and Alabama’s economy. Thank you, Senator Orr, for your leadership and commitment to Alabama!

Thank you, Senator Arthur Orr, for taking the time to meet with VOICES for Alabama’s Children and the Alabama Expanded Learning Alliance (AELA). Felicia Simpson and Tracye Strichik appreciated the opportunity to talk about data, out-of-school time (OST), and opportunities to strengthen outcomes for Alabama’s children and families.

09/08/2026

We’re excited to welcome the inaugural cohort of leaders who are ready to grow, connect, and strengthen the future of Alabama’s out-of-school time field.

The Alabama XL Leadership Academy brings together leaders from across the state for a premier professional development experience focused on:

✨ Leadership development and organizational growth
🤝 Mentorship and state & national networking
📚 Leadership institutes and virtual learning
💡 Advocacy, community partnerships, and systems change
🚀 A capstone leadership project

Together, this first cohort will build the knowledge, skills, relationships, and confidence needed to lead high-quality OST programs and create greater opportunities for Alabama’s children, youth, and families.

Stronger Leaders. Stronger Alabama. 💙

Welcome, Cohort 1! We can’t wait to see the impact you make.

09/07/2026

This Labor Day, we recognize the dedication and hard work of the people who make our schools and communities stronger.

From educators and school leaders to support staff and community partners, your commitment makes a difference in the lives of Alabama’s students every day.

Here’s to the people who lead, serve, inspire, and make a difference. Happy Labor Day!

09/01/2026

Meet Alabama’s 2026 STEM Flight Crew!

The Alabama Expanded Learning Alliance (AELA) is thrilled to announce the 12 exceptional young leaders selected for the 2026 STEM Flight Crew!
Through this forward-thinking hybrid program, students will participate in monthly virtual STEM learning sessions, connect with peers and STEM professionals, build leadership and advocacy skills, and engage in person at the 2026 AELA XL Conference in Gulf Shores, November 2–4.

Throughout their journey, Flight Crew members will explore the impact they can have in STEM fields while becoming ambassadors for STEM education and expanded learning opportunities across Alabama.

We’re excited to support these outstanding young scholars as they learn, lead, and take flight. Join us in celebrating Alabama’s 2026 STEM Flight Crew!