Originally pioneered by the Boston Museum of Science and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the clubhouse model encourages participants to be creative with technology, whether they are making computer-generated art, developing Web pages or designing animations, according to Miguel Salinas, a spokesman for Intel.

CNN: Teen techies graduate with enhanced learning

Founded by computer scientist and Stanford professor Sebastian Thrun, tech startup Udacity has built an entire business model around the concept of free education in math, science and technology.

FORBES: How Alternative Education Can Help Bridge The Skills Gap

The lessons we learned took shape in the Meyerhoff Scholars Program, which has grown into a national model for producing minority students who earn advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.

CNN: Our 'outrageous dream': Bringing diversity to science