Active Learning Unleashed: Hands-On STEAM That Puts Students at the Center

Together, we will unpack what active learning looks like in after-school and summer settings, why it boosts engagement, and how educators can implement it even with limited time and resources.

Participants will learn what makes an effective lesson plan and how clear structure supports smoother teaching and stronger student outcomes. We will introduce the SMART Framework for writing learning objectives and discuss how well-defined goals keep lessons focused, purposeful, and student-centered.

To put these ideas into practice, we will walk through a real HYPOTHEkids K–8 STEAM lesson. Educators will examine the HYPOTHEkids facilitator guide, our version of a complete lesson plan, and see how active-learning strategies are embedded into each step. Participants will then practice using the guide to plan or adapt a lesson, demonstrating how ready-to-use materials can build confidence and make hands-on STEAM instruction accessible to staff with varying levels of experience.

Participants Will Leave With:

• A clear understanding of active learning and how it differs from traditional instruction
• Practical strategies for increasing student participation
• Guidance on using the SMART Framework to write strong learning objectives
• A concrete example of a complete lesson plan through the HYPOTHEkids facilitator guide
• Three ready-to-use HYPOTHEkids lessons which include facilitator guides and a student-facing slideshows they can bring back to their classrooms and implement immediately