AfterSchool KidzScience

How Was AfterSchool KidzScience Developed? Partnership with DSC Started with the popular topics that are already GEMS Guides Pilot-tested sessions to be sure they would work as re-designed, when we started with the already well tested topics, like Oobleck Field Tested session nationally for topics that are new to the GEMS team, like Food from Plants or Alternative Energy

What is AfterSchool KidzScience? Designed for Grades 3-5 Inquiry-based science program Designed specifically for out-of-school settings Hands-on science activities Activities are: Engaging Easy to lead Excite children about science Build science knowledge and inquiry abilities Help children learn important cooperation and team work skills

Goals for Children Children will: do hands-on cooperative activities and learn how to investigate the way scientists do. be introduced to one science content goal per kit, ie. surface tension is the science content goal for the Bubbles kit leave each of the sessions thinking, “Science is cool and I can do it!”

What is available? Physical Science Series Life Science Series Life Science Kits Life Sci Currently the physical and Life Science Series’ are available …the Green Science Series will be available early next year. GREEN SCIENCE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY FRESH WATER FOOD FROM PLANTS WASTE NOT Green Science Series will be available in Spring 2011

What’s included in a series? Each series contains 4 kits that all give children experience with an area in sciene, and there are currently 2 series available a physical science series and a life sciecne series, Green Science will be coming out in early 2011. Kits can be purchased separately or as a series for a savings.

What is included in a kit? A kit contains almost everything needed for up to 20 children to complete four sessions, each session about 45 minutes in length. There is lots of support for the leader There are session guides…. A handbook Video Question Cards Overview Needed materials The sessions build on each other and should be done in order to give children experience with one or two scientific learning goals.

What is included in refill kit? Refill kits are available for sale and include all of the consumable items in a kit.

Two kinds of Video Clips for Leader support How-to (available for each kit) What to expect in that kit’s sessions How to explain the main science learning goal How to prepare,use, or clean up the materials in selected activities Leader Tips (a growing collection with broad applicability) valuable strategies for guiding and managing children in after-school science activities. help leaders with all of the AfterSchool KidzScience™ kits and are also helpful when leading other hands-on activities. Available on a DVD when a kit is purchased, also available on YouTube, the LHS iTunesU channel, and the GEMS and DSC website