The SHINE Afterschool program is joining an elite group that is leading the way in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The STEM Funders Network announced on Thursday that the program was one of 10 STEM programs selected for inclusion in the national initiative STEM Learning Ecosystems.SHINE, as well as the Lancaster County STEM Alliance were the only programs named to the initiative from Pennsylvania."SHINE is quickly earning a national reputation for its STEM based after-school curriculum," said state Sen. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne/Carbon. "Joining the STEM Learning Ecosystems Initiative will add value to the quality of education of every SHINE student, and contribute to the growing body of data that demonstrates the importance of investing in STEM based after-school programs.""We have already seen the success stories that SHINE has helped produce here in our region of Pennsylvania, and it is very exciting to be able to share our own experiences with others," Congressman Lou Barletta said. "Working with other leaders in STEM education can only strengthen SHINE and provide even better opportunities and brighter futures for our kids."The STEM Learning Ecosystems Initiative was developed in 2015-16 and currently includes 27 STEM Learning Ecosystems communities across the United States, including one from Pittsburgh and one from Philadelphia, all working toward the betterment of students and to build a strong future workforce.The initiative is built on over a decade of National Academy and related research focused on how to cultivate successful STEM collaborations.The selected sites from across the United States have committed to collaborate and share their work toward this common vision."These communities have the potential of reaching millions of young people both in and out-of-school with innovative STEM learning opportunities," said SFN co-chair Gerald Solomon, executive director, Samueli Foundation."It is an initiative to design the kind of infrastructure that ensures STEM learning is truly 'everywhere' and is a top priority for communities supporting youth to develop the skills and knowledge they need for success in a global workforce," Ron Ottinger, director of STEM Next and SFN co-chair, added.Lehigh Carbon County Community College President Dr. Ann D. Bieber, the college that oversees the Carbon and Schuylkill program, was honored by the announcement."Developing knowledge in STEM is one of our key goals, as we work to give children the skills to succeed in the workplace, which for them may seem so far into the future," she said. "We understand the importance of instilling capabilities in students early, and are honored that the LCCC SHINE program was recognized nationally for this work. SHINE is a great example of the kind of impact we can have when we work together.""LCCC's SHINE program is extremely proud to be part of this grass roots STEM community movement, and we look forward to working with all of our partners to expand opportunities in STEM education to area youth," Rachel Strucko, director of the Carbon and Schuylkill SHINE program, said.Wilkes University, LCCC's counterpart in Luzerne County, which helped expand the program this year, was equally as honored because it helps show that the model is at the cutting edge for students."SHINE's involvement in the STEM Learning Ecosystems Initiative will allow Wilkes University to share its expertise in STEM education in support of this new opportunity for children in our community," said Dr. Patrick F. Leahy, president of Wilkes University."We are thrilled that the Carbon/Schuylkill/Luzerne County Ecosystem and our network of community partners will be the vehicle for exposing thousands of children to STEM education," said Jeanne Miller, interim director, SHINE of Luzerne County.The initiative is focused on bringing all in and out of school learning platforms together, from Pre-K through higher education and the workforce, to ensure that everyone has equal access and opportunity to succeed in the STEM fields.The 10 communities will join the initial cohort of the national STEM Community of Practice, having demonstrated cross-sector collaborations that deliver rigorous, effective pre-K-16 instruction in STEM learning in schools and beyond the classroom - in after-school and summer programs, science centers, libraries, at home and other places both virtual and physical - that spark young people's engagement, develops their knowledge, strengthens their persistence and nurtures their sense of identity and belonging in the STEM disciplines, leading to building a vibrant and competitive STEM workforce.As these STEM Ecosystems evolve, a student will be able to connect what they learn in and out of school with real-world learning opportunities, leading to STEM-related careers and opportunities.The Carbon and Schuylkill SHINE modelprovides academic support for students from seven school districts through a comprehensive 42-week after-school/summer program that includes children from birth to college.SHINE of Luzerne County is a three-year pilot program based on the Carbon/Schuylkill model and is operating in five area school districts.The two SHINE programs currently provide services to more than 1,000 students.