Oklahoma Partnership for Expanded Learning

09/04/2026

Registration Link in Comments

09/03/2026

Most Oklahoma parents recognize the value of STEM education in afterschool programming, a recent the Afterschool Alliance survey found. Of the 418 Oklahoma parents with school-aged children polled, 79% agreed that afterschool programs help students gain STEM interests and skills.

👓Read more about the Afterschool STEM Takes Off study, conducted by Edge Research, here: afterschoolalliance.org/afterschoolsnack/America-After-3PM-Afterschool-STEM-Takes-Off_08-26-2026.cfm

09/01/2026

Expansion of after-school program access was top of mind for lawmakers, local Oklahoma City leaders and community partners – including OPEL -- who met in August.

Giving kids a safe place to learn, particularly between the hours of 2 and 6 p.m., has been shown to keep them out of trouble, presenter Les Thomas of The Urban Bridge Impact Center reported.

📝 Currently, four out of five Oklahoma students does not have access to after-school programming. Click here to read what the group wants to do to change that: news9.com/oklahoma-city-groups-team-up-to-expand-after-school-programs

Community organizations are working together to give more Oklahoma students access to safe and supportive programs after the school day ends.

08/31/2026

America After 3PM: Afterschool STEM Takes Off

A recent report from the Afterschool Alliance found five key points to show just how far the STEM in afterschool programs has come – and where attention needs to be focused in the future.

They discovered:
🔬STEM in afterschool is nearly universal
👨‍🔬Parents understand the distinction between STEM subjects
📐Parents in rural areas report gaps in STEM access
📖Teen parents want focus to be on college- and career-prep, and community engagement
⭐Parents want afterschool programs to develop a child's social and durable skills

Read more about the study here: afterschoolalliance.org/afterschoolsnack/America-After-3PM-Afterschool-STEM-Takes-Off_08-26-2026.cfm

08/27/2026

If you're an intermediary organization, program leader, or youth development professional looking for tips, no-cost tools, and real-world examples and resources to help build young people's life skills outside of the typical school day, look no further than the Wallace Foundation.

Their new report is focused on fostering self-awareness, teamwork, perseverance and responsible decision making in youth—all of which have been tied to better in-classroom performance, better health and relationships, and greater overall well-being.

Out-of-school time programs play a key role in helping young people learn and develop these skills.

This report will assist with:
✔️Establishing a life skills framework to guide programming and practice
✔️Connecting providers to evidence-based resources that support effective life skill development
✔️Offering opportunities for professional development to bolster staff members’ abilities and confidence

Learn how you can better assist student learning and growth in OST, here: wallacefoundation.org/report/strengthening-young-peoples-life-skills-practical-guidance-and-resources-intermediaries

08/25/2026

The Oklahoma State Department of Education has awarded more than $3.2 million in new 21st Century Community Learning Center grants, which will deliver high-quality out-of-school programs to students and families statewide.

OSDE supports 50 grantees with over $13 million in federal funding each year. Programs run before and after school, during summer and on holiday breaks, serving more than 16,000 students annually.

Students benefit from support in reading, math and tutoring, plus enrichment activities like robotics, chess, debate, art, music, drama, science, college and career readiness, and health and fitness.

Find the list of new CCLC grantees here: oklahoma.gov/education/divisions/media/newsroom/2026/osde-announces-over--3-2-million-in-21st-century-community-learn.html

08/20/2026

Calling all teens, educators, and STEM champions! 🚀

This summer, Hack Club is teaming up with NASA, AMD, and GitHub for the Stardance Challenge—a free STEM challenge for teens ages 13–18.

Students can build apps, games, hardware, circuits, and more while developing real-world technical skills. No experience is required, making it a great opportunity for both beginners and experienced creators. Plus, participants can earn exciting rewards like 3D printers and Raspberry P*s!

Educators can help students get started by showing the two-minute intro video—and receive a free Artemis II mission patch.

🔗 Learn more and join the challenge: https://stardance.hackclub.com/edu

08/18/2026

OPEL had the opportunity to join Urban Bridge, Les Thomas, Oklahoma Cleats for Kids, and Hunger Free Oklahoma in a conversation with OKC leaders about the importance of afterschool and out-of-school-time programs for Oklahoma youth.

As the school year begins, many students have needs that extend beyond the classroom. Afterschool programs help bridge those gaps by providing support, connection, enrichment, and opportunity.

One of the most meaningful moments was hearing directly from a student about the positive impact Urban Bridge has had on his life. His story was a powerful reminder of why investing in Oklahoma youth matters.

08/17/2026

As artificial intelligence becomes a bigger part of everyday life, helping young people use it safely, ethically, and effectively is more important than ever.

Join the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) for the webinar Building AI Literacy for Inclusion in STEM: National Landscape Study to explore the current state of AI literacy and discover resources that support meaningful AI learning in K–12 STEM environments.

📅 August 19, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM PT / 12:00 PM ET

Don't miss this opportunity to learn how you can prepare the next generation to navigate an AI-powered future with confidence and responsibility.

🔗 Register today: https://ngcproject.regfox.com/ngcpwebinar081926

08/14/2026

Thank You, Youth at Heart!

Thank you to Youth at Heart for welcoming a tour with Bob Sullivan and Sheila Dills. It was inspiring to see firsthand the incredible work happening across your Tulsa-area programs and the meaningful opportunities you are creating for young people.

Would your program like help inviting local leaders to visit and learn more about your work? OPEL can help make those connections.

Email [email protected] for more information.