The program addresses the need for out-of-school, STEM-based activities for middle and high school students that develop 21st century skills. The needs were identified through the reading of professional literature and collaboration with local and national colleges. The skills addressed in this program, as identified by IMLS in their 21st Century Skills publication (a copy of which is available at this link http://www.imls.gov/assets/1/AssetManager/21stCenturySkills.pdf), include critical thinking and problem solving, creativity and innovation, and information literacy through communication and collaboration.