How to Run Afterschool Universe
So you've checked out the Program Overview and Program Details page and are interested in running our program for middle-schoolers? Great!
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 those who can demonstrate a compelling reason for why the training is not necessary. If you have already undergone training or wish to apply for a waiver from training, please sign up here to receive resources to implement Afterschool Universe.
If you wish to be trained, please check out our Training Opportunities page to see when and where we are offering training workshops. You may also wish to join our mailing list to receive updates about available training opportunities.
We plan to offer the following resources for those who meet our criteria to run Afterschool Universe:
- Manual (hardcopy or PDF link)
- Link to PDFs of worksheets needed for various sessions for easy download and printing/copying
- Link to a detailed Materials List
- PPT presentations to use as a background resource to supplement the manual
- NASA posters that are required for several sessions
- A kit of the materials that are available only through specialized suppliers
- Professionally developed evaluation forms to assess impact of the program
- Assistance with identifying a scientist to come and visit your group (required for Session 11)
- Opportunity to email us your photographs so that your program can be mentioned and highlighted on our website!
We will also provide a NASA certificate of completion for those who participate in our training.
We regret that we do not have the resources to support educators who wish to run the program as part of a regular school day or for age groups other than middle-school. If you are a classroom educator who wishes to utilize the activities included in Afterschool Universe, please use the original source for the activities in the sessions as they are closely aligned with the National Science Standards. A list of the original sources is available on our Links page.
