Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
May 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008aas...212.2809k&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #212, #28.09; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 40, p.227
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Afterschool Universe is an out-of-school-time astronomy program targeted at middle school students. It explores astronomy concepts through engaging hands-on activities and takes participants on a journey through the Universe beyond the solar system. Afterschool Universe underwent extensive pilot testing with several hundred participants in 2006 and 2007 under the name Beyond Einstein Explorers’ Program (BEEP) and is now widely available to run in your own local communities.
We will discuss the structure of the program and resources available to implement it. Afterschool Universe is ideally run as a partnership between astronomers or EPO professionals and local afterschool program providers. The former contribute content expertise to help train the program leaders while the latter have a deep understanding of their target audience. Furthermore, it provides a relatively easy plug-and-play opportunity for astronomers to engage in EPO efforts within their communities.
This program addresses several IYA themes as it works with an audience that doesn't typically get much exposure to astronomy. The adult afterschool program leaders do not usually have science backgrounds and middle school students do not normally get to explore the topics in Afterschool Universe at this age.
Afterschool programs often reach those who most need additional help and can be offered in a variety of settings where the students go when the school day is over. The afterschool community is looking for quality science programming that will engage the children. Afterschool Universe offers just such an engagement opportunity.
Eyermann S.
Krishnamurthi Anita
Lochner James
Mitchell Sara
Reynolds Carl
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