The powerful piece by Erika Easy, Angelina Rosario and Jeanlis Rodriguez reminds us of what is possible when young people are offered opportunities for robust engagement with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in a variety of settings. The opportunities being offered at United Charter High Schools for Advanced Math and Science (AMS) are impressive and clearly having an impact — it has enabled these three young people to not only learn and plan their own STEM careers but also bring STEM to other, younger students at their school. They are role models and changemakers.
The interest they found among younger students is not a surprise; children often start out very interested in science and technology but lose interest when adults do not nurture that interest. Too many students — and especially those in underserved communities and girls — are missing out on opportunities to engage and deepen their interest and skills in critical STEM fields like computer science, engineering and physics.
[Related: Expanding horizons, essential relationships — The evidence of afterschool impacts]
STEM occupations are projected to grow by more than 10% by 2032 and 20% of all jobs will require a high level of knowledge in a STEM field. As the urgency increases to have a more STEM-skilled population, our cultural conversations must change to acknowledge this need and welcome everyone to contribute their talents to the STEM workforce.
Courtesy of Anita Krishnamurthi
Anita Krishnamurthi
The recently released “Talent Strategy” from the Trump administration acknowledges the need for a STEM-ready, AI-literate workforce. We need more STEM education and opportunities for our youth and we know that schools can’t do it alone! Young people spend 80% of their waking hours outside of school, so out-of-school-time (OST) and afterschool programs are an important part of the STEM education landscape. And the evidence for the outcomes they produce keeps growing — we can now say with full confidence that high-quality afterschool STEM programs excite and engage youth in these fields. Afterschool programs have already been engaging youth in STEM-focused career readiness programs and can and will step up to support the new Talent Strategy. For example:
The Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania has been hosting a three-week Artificial Intelligence Pathways Institute Activation Camp for the past six years, during which students engage with AI through hands-on activities and compete in AI challenges. The students even earn a stipend for their participation.
The Scientific Adventures for Girls program partners with local schools to offer afterschool STEM experiences which range from technology and aviation science to agricultural and environmental science and also connect the students to STEM role models and near-peer mentors. After participating in the program, 83% of the girls say they want to do more science and 72% say they want to do more engineering, specifically because of their experiences in the afterschool program.
As afterschool programs pay more attention to youth voice and empowering youth to be co-creators in their learning journey, we should all remember that young people choose to pursue subjects and issues that feel relevant and meaningful to them. We believe one of the keys to success in engaging more young people in STEM is to pair it with civic engagement in their communities so they can use STEM knowledge, skills and tools to tackle issues they care about. With so many of the solutions to the biggest problems our society faces (environmental degradation, emerging and evolving diseases, and food and water shortages, to name just a few) rooted in science, we believe STEM education will be most successful when it’s paired with opportunities for leadership and social action. We need to build capacity for young people to engage and lead, and “arm them” with STEM knowledge as they tackle the most pressing issues we face.
[Related: Weissberg and Durlak’s 18-year-old S.A.F.E model is a sure bet for our current workforce challenges]
Instead of investing in innovations like this, it’s troubling that the federal government seems to be abandoning its commitment to STEM education. The proposed consolidation of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants — the only dedicated federal funding stream for afterschool — into a larger pot would mean less money for afterschool STEM programs. This combined with the proposed elimination or consolidation of STEM education funding at science agencies like NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) would lead to fewer opportunities to engage and skill up young people at this time when we need to be increasing our investments.
All of us who want to improve our society in the here and now while also taking steps to build a bright future should be speaking out and pressing for more, not less, government investment in STEM education. And educators and those of us in youth development should be looking to prepare the next generation to be engaged changemakers in our STEM-driven world. Together we can cultivate a new generation of active and empowered citizens who can transform communities throughout the United States and worldwide. These resources can help you do that:
Become knowledgeable about afterschool STEM education policy — register for the STEM Talk webinar series and watch previous episodes.
Find resources to advocate for afterschool STEM.
Contact Congress and take action to protect STEM education funding!
See how to make connections between STEM and communities.
***
Anita Krishnamurthi is the Senior Vice President for STEM & Youth Civic Engagement at the Afterschool Alliance, where she oversees the Alliance’s national STEM initiatives including the Afterschool STEM Hub and the Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS). Anita has a PhD in Astrophysics and moved to a career focused on informal STEM learning as she is deeply committed to promoting enjoyment, access, and engagement with science and supporting all young people on this journey.
afterschool, afterschool STEM, career development, Civic Engagement, Education and Training, education ecosystem, Feature Story, learning ecosystem, OST, out-of-school time and afterschool, STEM, STEM education
Welcome to the fourth annual MLB Pipeline Executive Poll. Starting before the 2023 season, we surveyed front offices across baseball — from general managers to scouting directors, farm directors, analysts and beyond — on a number of questions regarding prospects.
As has been our tradition, we’re beginning with who they think will win Rookie of the Year honors in each league in 2026. They started out on fire in ’23, choosing Gunnar Henderson and Corbin Carroll, both of whom took home that hardware. In 2024, winners Paul Skenes and Jackson Chourio got votes, though the survey leaders were Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the National League and Evan Carter in the American League.
Last year, the industry picked Dylan Crews and Roman Anthony (though most felt Roki Sasaki would be the front-runner in whichever league he signed). Drake Baldwin, the NL winner, didn’t appear on a ballot. In the AL, winner Nick Kurtz did get some attention and Anthony finished third in actual voting at season’s end.
Can front offices hit the nail on the head in ’26? There’s far from a consensus in either league this time around, with more than 40 front office officials weighing in on an array of topics that will be discussed in a week-long series.
Let’s kick things off with the results of the American League Rookie of the Year survey:
Also received votes: Jamie Arnold, LHP, A’s; Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians; Max Clark, OF, Tigers; Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians; Leo De Vries, SS, A’s; Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners; Gage Jump, LHP, Athletics; Carson Williams, SS, Rays
That’s a total of 14 players getting at least one vote. And having two leaders at the top, one pitcher and one hitter, is something that will be mirrored when we get to the NL. It’s interesting, though, that the two tied in the AL are a pitcher who starred in the postseason and a hitter who has yet to play a game above Double-A.
Trey Yesavage (MLB No. 26), taken by the Blue Jays as the No. 20 overall pick in the ’24 Draft, had a meteoric rise through Toronto’s system in ’25, starting the season with Single-A Dunedin and finishing it by appearing in three World Series games as perhaps the most dependable arm on the postseason staff. He’s still only 22 and it will be fascinating to see if he can pick up where he left off and how the league adjusts after getting a longer look at him, especially that devastating splitter.
Kevin McGonigle (MLB No. 2) will be just 21 for most of the ’26 season and has a grand total of 46 games above A ball on his resume. But he also has a career .922 OPS in the Minors, and some voters were no doubt swayed by his Arizona Fall League showing in ’25, when he was named MVP after posting a .362/.500/.710 slash line with five homers and 19 RBIs in 19 games. He’s considered by many to be the best pure hitter in the Minors, with an advanced approach that should enable him to hold his own at the plate. Where he fits in the Tigers’ infield might be one of the more intriguing storylines in Lakeland this spring. He’s primarily been a shortstop (where he’ll see plenty of time in Spring Training), could no doubt handle second base and looked good at third in the AFL.
The other four on our leaderboard all have at least touched the big leagues. Samuel Basallo (MLB No. 7) debuted in August, just days after his 21st birthday, and homered four times in 109 at-bats. The power will play and it’ll be interesting to see how the Orioles get him at-bats behind the plate, at first base and as a DH. Carter Jensen (MLB No. 39) was a September callup for the Royals and after a solid debut (.941 OPS in 60 ABs), he should get a chance to make the Opening Day roster, learning behind Salvador Perez and getting plenty of plate appearances as a DH as well. Payton Tolle (MLB No. 28) and Connelly Early (BOS No. 4) are two Red Sox lefties who showed glimpses of what might be possible with a full season in Boston’s rotation.
In addition to the Red Sox, the Tigers (Max Clark, McGonigle), Guardians (Chase DeLauter, Travis Bazzana) and A’s (Jamie Arnold, Leo De Vries) all had multiple vote-getters. It was the Athletics who finished 1-2 in the AL ROY voting in ’25, with Jacob Wilson (who got multiple survey votes a year ago) right behind Kurtz.
Also received votes: Carson Benge, OF, Mets; Aidan Miller, SS, Phillies; Thomas White, LHP, Marlins
There was a clear top three among the 10 players who received votes in the NL, and like with the AL, it’s led by a hitter who has yet to get a single big league at-bat and a pitcher who made a very strong first impression at the highest level.
Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt (MLB No. 5) had an outstanding first full season of pro ball after being the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, splitting the year between Double-A and Triple-A and posting a combined .306/.421/.510 slash line with 17 homers and 23 steals. Some were surprised he didn’t get a late-season audition in St. Louis, but you have to figure his bat will work its way into that lineup sooner rather than later. He’s played three infield positions, which should help give the big league staff options for him to make the Opening Day roster.
Like Yesavage, Nolan McLean (MLB No. 11) not only made his Major League debut, but did so under a very large spotlight, making eight outstanding starts down the stretch during the Mets’ ill-fated playoff push. With a 2.06 ERA, 10.7 K/9 rate and .200 average-against, McLean was the Mets’ best starter at the end of the season and is the only vote-getter in either ’26 survey to have received actual ROY votes in ’25. He was just two innings shy of surpassing rookie status for the upcoming season.
Behind the two leaders is No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin, and the fact he received such a healthy percentage of votes shows how far and how fast he’s come. The No. 9 overall pick in the ’24 Draft, Griffin went from Single-A Bradenton to Double-A Altoona and hit absolutely everywhere, finishing with a combined .333/.415/.527 line, 21 homers and 65 steals, making him the easy pick for MLB Pipeline’s Hitting Prospect of the Year award. He should get a long look this spring at shortstop and clearly several executives believe he belongs.
Of the remaining four on the leaderboard, Bubba Chandler (MLB No. 14) and Sal Stewart (MLB No. 31) have big league time, while Justin Crawford (MLB No. 54) and Zyhir Hope (MLB No. 20) do not. Chandler should be in the Pirates’ rotation (and is the only player who got votes in last year’s poll to appear this time around), and Stewart in the Reds’ lineup, from Day 1 of the ’26 season. All signs point to Crawford getting every chance to roam the outfield for Philadelphia on Opening Day, while Hope is a bit of a long-shot play.
With Griffin and Chandler, the Pirates are the only team with two players among the leaders, but the Phillies (Aidan Miller, Crawford) and the Mets (Carson Benge, McLean) also had multiple prospects receiving votes.
The subject of what agency will provide youth sports programs in Englewood in the future will be explored at the meeting that will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 16 in the community room on the second floor of the Englewood Civic Center. “The city parks and recreation program will put on the summer baseball program this year but that will be the last youth sports program we will offer,” said Gerald Black, parks and recreation director. In a letter sent to members of youth sports programs and the Englewood school district, Black explained the changes are a result of the need to meet 2014 budget requirements. For years, Englewood Parks and Recreation Department offered an extensive youth sports program that included baseball, basketball and tackle football. A few years ago, the department abolished the tackle-football program, which led to the creation of the Englewood Youth Football Association. The association grew, offering competitive baseball, softball and basketball programs so the name was changed to the Englewood Youth Sports Association. Also, the middle school established separate seventh- and eighth-grade basketball teams for boys and girls. “We don’t really know where we will go from here now that the recreation department is no longer doing youth sports programs,” said Debbie Penn, EYSA board member and community relations representative. “There are options available but we’ll have to see how programs develop.” She said Jan. 16 is a brainstorming session about the future of youth sports programs. Penn said issues include access to facilities at fees that keep youth sports participation costs reasonable for Englewood families. She added that the association is currently operated by a small group of volunteers. “We’ll need some volunteers to help us if we add additional programs or expand our existing programs,” she said. “The current handful of association volunteers can’t efficiently operate expanded programs.”
LIHUE (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Kauai Police Activities League is now accepting applications for the 2026 flag football season.
For years, K‑PAL has connected hundreds of local youth with its athletic programs to further its mission and empower them to live drug-free lives and reach their full potential through positive activities, mentorship, and fun.
The K‑PAL flag football program is open to school-aged youth from kindergarten through high school seniors.
Registration is free and available online through April 1, 2026. Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited. Applications received after the deadline will be placed on a waitlist and are not guaranteed a spot.
Practices will begin on May 1. Games will take place on Saturdays at the auxiliary field next to Vidinha Stadium, starting in June and running through mid-July.
K‑PAL is also seeking volunteer coaches. If you’re passionate about football and want to make a difference in the lives of Kaua‘i’s youth, please visit the K‑PAL website and complete the Volunteer Form.
For more information, call (808) 241-1924 or email KPAL@kauai.gov.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Over 700 bills compiled covering youth sports and physical activity legislation at state and federal levels
11 policy categories tracked, including concussion protocols, mental health training requirements, and abuse prevention standards
Interactive map reveals gaps in coaching qualifications, safety protocols, and recess mandates across states
Free resource developed by University of Washington Center for Leadership in Athletics with four partner organizations
First comprehensive tool to centralize fragmented youth sports legislation into one searchable database
USE THE TOOL HERE: Youth Sports and Physical Activity Legislation Tracker, The Sports Institute, University of Washington, (2025). https://thesportsinstitute.com/youth-sports-and-physical-activity-legislation-tracker/
A Centralized View of Fragmented Policy
The University of Washington Center for Leadership in Athletics released the Youth Sports and Physical Activity Legislation Tracker, a free interactive tool that compiles state and federal laws affecting youth sports programs. The resource was developed in partnership with The Sports Institute at UW Medicine, King County Play Equity Coalition, Susan Crown Exchange, and LiFEsports at The Ohio State University.
The tracker includes over 700 bills and allows users to search by state or topic. It covers legislation on concussion management, cardiac arrest protocols, abuse prevention, coaching qualifications, recess requirements, and physical activity standards in schools.
What the Tracker Covers
The tool organizes legislation into 11 categories. Safety-related topics include concussion protocols, sudden cardiac arrest response standards, general safety requirements, and abuse prevention measures. Training categories address both school sport coaching qualifications and youth sports (non-school) coaching requirements. Additional sections cover mental health training mandates, physical activity minimums in schools, and recess policies.
Each category includes definitions and context. For example, the concussion section tracks which states require return-to-play protocols and assigns responsibility to coaches, schools, or organizations. The mental health category identifies states requiring coaches to complete training on adolescent mental health or suicide prevention.
The abuse prevention section focuses on background checks, mandatory reporting requirements, and codes of conduct. The tracker notes that while most states require background checks for paid school employees, significant gaps remain for volunteer and unpaid coaches.
Addressing Policy Inconsistencies
The tracker highlights variation in requirements across states. Concussion and cardiac arrest protocols differ by jurisdiction. Coaching qualification standards for school sports vary significantly, and requirements for non-school youth sports coaches are even less consistent.
Physical activity and recess policies also show disparities. Not all states mandate minimum recess time for elementary students or require specific amounts of daily physical activity that align with CDC recommendations of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.
Who Benefits From This Resource
The tool serves coaches, program administrators, policymakers, and facility operators who need to understand compliance requirements. Youth sports organizations operating in multiple states can use it to identify different standards across their footprint. School districts can compare their policies to state requirements or peer districts.
Advocacy groups and researchers can use the data to identify gaps in youth athlete protection or inconsistencies in safety standards. The tracker provides a baseline for understanding where policy exists and where it does not.
Building Toward Standardization
The release of this tracker provides the youth sports industry with its first comprehensive view of legislative requirements across jurisdictions. Access to centralized policy data may support efforts to address gaps in coach training, safety protocols, and athlete protection standards.
The tool’s ability to filter by topic or geography allows users to identify specific compliance needs or compare approaches across states. As youth sports organizations face increasing scrutiny around safety and accountability, this resource offers a practical starting point for understanding the regulatory landscape.
YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.
About Youth Sports Business Report
Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.
Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. As the leading authority in youth sports business reporting, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trends, youth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.
Our expert editorial team provides authoritative, in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry verticals including:
Sports sponsorship and institutional capital (Private Equity, Venture Capital)
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Whether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.
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Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?
Introducing Play Up Partners, a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
About Play Up Partners
Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
Why Sponsor Youth Sports?
Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.
What Does Play Up Partners Do?
We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.
Our Approach
Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:
Deliver measurable ROI for brand partners
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We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.
Common Questions About Youth Sports Marketing
Where can I sponsor youth sports?How do I activate in youth sports?What is the ROI of youth sports marketing?How much does youth sports sponsorship cost?
We have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.
Youth sports organizations: Interested in partnership opportunities? Reach out to learn about our accreditation process.
The San Antonio Spurs, in partnership with UT Health San Antonio, the clinical enterprise of The University of Texas at San Antonio, took charge of the physical education classes at Park Village Blended Learning Academy on Dec. 9 as part of a program to give back to the community and talk to kids about how to make healthy choices.
Park Village is a small, Title I elementary school in the Judson Independent School District. As of the 2023-2024 school year, it had 400 students, with around 70% of its students considered at risk of dropping out of school. The event was an opportunity for the students to participate in a day of fun that helped them feel part of their community.
“Having this type of event shows that our community cares,” said Kayone Bedford, principal of Park Village. “Sometimes our kids will say, nobody thinks about us because we’re such a small school or because of what side of town we’re from. But for an organization as large as the Spurs to come out here, that makes our kids feel proud and like they’re part of something bigger.”
The Spurs PE Takeovers are part of the Spurs Sports Academy’s broader community impact programs that also include community-wide events, clinics and camps offered to kids from six years old to 18.
“Our objective is to come and spread joy for these kids and have a good time while teaching basketball skills,” said RJ Sanchez, community sports manager for the Spurs Sports Academy. “Since our partnership with UT Health San Antonio, we’ve implemented a learning curriculum to teach the kids about their health and the value of exercise. But the most important thing we bring to every school is the joy factor.”
Kevin Ozment, MD
During the event, Kevin Ozment, MD, sports medicine physician at UT Health San Antonio and assistant clinical professor in the Department of Rehabilitation in the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT San Antonio, taught the students healthy lifestyle tips, emphasizing the importance of sleep, exercise and nutrition. After the lesson, the Spurs Sports Academy coaches led the students in warm-up drills and basketball skills from ball handling to passing and shooting. Then the Spurs Hype Squad, donning black and silver Santa hats, got the students moving with festive dance moves, offering something for everyone.
Ozment emphasized that building healthy habits early can have lasting benefits.
“I see a lot of patients who weren’t as involved in regular exercise or physical activity when they were younger, which can translate to potential health issues when they get older,” Ozment said. “That’s why it’s important to get involved early and implement healthy habits. A little bit of knowledge about healthy lifestyle choices can go a long way.”
Ozment also noted that while getting involved in sports is important, any kind of movement or activity — like riding a bike, taking a walk or going for a swim — can be beneficial for kids.
“It’s also important that kids diversify their sports and activities. When your kid is young, they don’t need to just stick to only one sport. By trying out different sports and being open to all kinds of activity, they can activate different muscle groups and down the line be less prone to injuries,” he advised.
UT Health San Antonio is the official sports medicine partner of the San Antonio Spurs. In 2023, the Spurs announced a multi-year partnership with UT Health San Antonio in a joint effort to pursue innovations in human performance and improve the health of the greater San Antonio community.
Former Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper, who served the community for 13 years before retiring in February of 2025, has announced that he will be running for a seat in Iowa House District 52 as a Democrat, according to a press release issued Monday.
District 52 covers the city of Marshalltown and southeastern Marshall County, and the seat is currently held by Republican David Blom, also of Marshalltown. Before Blom defeated Sue Cahill in the 2024 election, the seat had been held by Democrats for over two decades. Notably, Democrat Mark Smith represented Marshalltown from 2001 to 2020.
“I’m running for the Iowa House to restore community-focused leadership and trust at the Capitol. Every day, I hear from neighbors who feel left behind by politicians in Des Moines, and I know I can rebuild that trust by showing up and listening to our community, as I did for years in law enforcement,” Tupper said.
In the press release, Tupper indicated that his priorities would be “fully funding our public schools, tackling the affordability crisis in Iowa by working to make housing cheaper for working families, and working with local officials to keep our communities safe.”
As the next Representative from Marshalltown, I will focus on:
“As a longtime community leader and recently retired Chief of Police in Marshalltown, I know folks across House District 52 know me as someone who leads with integrity and puts our community first. They can trust that I’ll be a reliable advocate for them in the Iowa House,” he said.
Tupper worked for 32 years as a police officer in Iowa and served as a police chief for 20 of those years in Nevada and Marshalltown. He currently works as a law enforcement consultant in the public entity insurance industry, has served as a community volunteer, nonprofit board member, youth sports coach and church leader. He is married to Sarah Tupper and has four daughters and one son.
Blom, the incumbent, issued the following statement when contacted by the T-R Monday.
“I’m running for re-election to the Iowa House to continue fighting for property tax relief, a major factor in rent and housing affordability, Marshall County jobs and economic development, Iowa veterans, teachers, and Marshall County families. It’s my honor to serve and I look forward to working to earn every vote in 2026,” he said.
Influenza remains a health concern going into the new year, both in Marshall County and internationally. A mutated …
