Program Details
Afterschool Universe is a hands-on out-of-school-time astronomy program for middle school children. This program is now available to out-of-school-time program providers who are looking to include engaging and high-quality science programming in their organization's portfolio. The Program Overview page describes the basic structure of the program and includes an outline of all the sessions.
A comprehensive manual for the program leaders has been developed that provides background information and detailed recipes for running program sessions. The manual has been written at a level that is appropriate for leaders with little science background. Check out the
sample sessions (PDF) for examples of what the manual offers you.
The program sessions utilize easily available materials. The
Materials List lists the different types of materials needed. Each program is responsible for obtaining the basic materials needed to implement
Afterschool Universe. For those who undergo training and sign up to run the program, we will provide the NASA posters and a kit of the materials available only through specialized retailers.
Training to run the program
The
Afterschool Universe team offers information sessions and training workshops at various locations across the country. Two-day intensive trainings are also held periodically at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. These trainings allow program leaders who are unfamiliar with the content to become comfortable leading the sessions. Check out the
Training Opportunities page for more information.
We require participants to undergo training before they can run the program or train afterschool program providers to run this program. We will make exceptions for program implementers who can demonstrate a compelling reason for why the training is not necessary. Waivers from training are not available for those who wish to become trainers.
Afterschool Universe is ideally run as a partnership between astronomers and local afterschool program providers - astronomers contribute the content expertise, and program leaders bring it to the audience. We encourage programs to partner with a local scientist whenever possible.
Program History
The program was pilot tested under the name Beyond Einstein Explorers' Program (BEEP) in the summers of 2006 and 2007 and is now being disseminated nationally. Activities for this program were developed by drawing from a wide array of existing resources and adapting them for the out-of-school-time environment. The pilot programs received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and leaders alike --- the students enjoyed the informal, hands-on style of the program, and leaders found their own understanding and enjoyment of astronomy enhanced by their participation. [Learn more about our program history and pilot testing.]
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Afterschool Universe is an education/outreach effort sponsored by NASA's Beyond Einstein program and was developed in partnership with the Imagine the Universe! EPO program. We also gratefully acknowledge funding from the Chandra EPO small grants program under grant TN78009X.
The Beyond Einstein program consists of a series of future missions focused on answering questions about black holes, the origin of the Universe, and dark energy. Recognizing that students need an introduction to the basics of astronomy before delving into the details of such topics, Afterschool Universe was developed to serve as this first step.
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