Nature & Sustainability STEM initiative
ACT Now and STEM Next Opportunity Fund invite afterschool and youth-serving programs across Illinois to participate in an exciting statewide STEM learning initiative focused on Nature and Sustainability. Join us in bringing engaging STEM learning experiences to youth people across Illinois while connecting them to environmental sustainability and future STEM opportunities.
Program Description
Participating sites will implement five engaging, hands-on STEM lessons designed for youth in grades 3-8 designed by Verizon Wireless. Lessons explore environmental literacy, sustainability, and real-world STEM concepts while inspiring youth to become problem-solvers and innovators. The initiative aims to reach thousands of Illinois youth through high-quality out-of-school-time STEM experiences.
Program Requirements
How participating programs can successfully complete this Nature & Sustainability STEM Initiative.
Attend a Train-the-Trainer Session:
One instructor/staff member participates in a 90-minute, virtual training.
Implement 5 STEM Lessons:
Facilitate all five Nature & Sustainability STEM lessons with youth in Grades 3-8. Lessons can be integrated into existing afterschool programming.
Complete a Brief Survey:
One post-program survey is required after the lessons are completed by December 15th, 2026.
Share Participation Data
: Report the number of youth who participated in the STEM lessons.
Program Benefits
Ways this program can further advance your organization's STEM priorities and goals.
Stipend gift card
for successful implementation, completion of requirements and number of youth served.
Certificate of Recognition
from STEM Next and ACT Now.
Opportunity for youth to participate in a
Statewide STEM Showcase
.
Access to high-quality STEM
curriculum and training resources
.
Join a
statewide network of programs
advancing STEM learning opportunities for youth.
Main Point of Contact
This will be the individual responsible for ensuring all program requirements are met and will be ACT Now's main point of contact for follow-up and support.
Name
*
First Name
Last Name
Title
*
Phone Number
*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email
*
example@example.com
Please describe your STEM facilitation experience:
*
Very experienced, I have been leading STEM activities for many years.
Fairly experienced and confident in my ability to lead STEM activities successfully.
Somewhat experienced but looking forward to more training and technical support.
I am a novice facilitator and is in need of significant training and technical support.
Additional Staff
Please use this section to share information on any additional staff supporting this program.
Name
First Name
Last Name
Title
Email
example@example.com
Please describe the above staff's STEM facilitation experience:
Very experienced, they have been leading STEM activities for many years.
Fairly experienced and confident in their ability to lead STEM activities successfully.
Somewhat experienced but looking forward to more training and technical support.
They are a novice facilitator and is in need of significant training and technical support.
Organization Information
ACT Now will use this information to assess the reach of this program statewide and to better understand the type of organizations who engaged in this initiative.
Organization Name
*
Organization Address:
*
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
Where is your program primarily located?
*
Does your program have multiple sites/locations?
*
Yes
No
If you have multiple sites participating in this initiative, please list them below:
How frequently does your program offer STEM activities and programming?
*
Once a quarter
Once a month
Once a week
Multiple times a week
Only during special events or family nights
Your Participants
We'd like to learn about the youth you intend to engage in this learning opportunity. When answering these questions, please only consider the youth who will participate in the Nature & Sustainability lessons.
How many students do you anticipate engaging with through this initiative?
*
What grade levels do you anticipate participating in these lessons?
*
1st - 3rd
4th - 5th
6th - 8th
9th - 10th
11th - 12th
Program Commitments
Please use this section to confirm your commitment to program requirements.
Please confirm which Train-the-Trainer session you will attend:
*
Wednesday, September 23rd from 10:00am - 11:30am (For Teen REACH providers)
Thursday, September 24th from 10:00am - 11:30am (For General Membership)
Please provide a brief description on how you intend to imbed the five Nature & Sustainability lessons into your programming by December 15th, 2026:
*
By providing your signature below, you are agreeing to the above requirements and confirming your partnership with ACT Now to engage in this Nature & Sustainability STEM Initiative.
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