What we offer is an opportunity to turn the after-school hours into hours of enlightenment and exploration. The results of a three-year evaluation found that centers that implemented the program did more science and career activities, and were more likely to deliberately encourage gender equity. Students at the centers developed less stereotyped attitudes about who can do science. The After- School Science PLUS program is based on Educational Equity Concepts' nationally renowned Playtime is Science. They conduct experiments with inexpensive, culturally familiar, household materials, making science more accessible for students, as well as the adults leading the programs.
Science is a part of our everyday lives, like reading and math.
The program also includes diverse career and role model suggestions. Staff can incorporate literacy by reading and discussing Bartholomew and the Oobleck, by Dr. Seuss. Students are also encouraged to write in a science journal to document their observations and discoveries. Anyone can be a scientist. Now I know how to experiment, observe, compare and measure.