What is LEAP into Science? Where is the LEAP into Science program currently happening? How do library, museum, and afterschool professionals get involved?

What is LEAP into Science?

LEAP into Science is a partnership between The Franklin Institute Science Museum and the Free Library of Philadelphia that engages children and families in science and literacy by integrating hands-on science activities with children's literature. This effort is supported by a 5-year National Science Foundation grant which was awarded in 2007 to build a model museum/library partnership to promote science and literacy. The Franklin Institute's strength in science programming and the Library's expertise in children's literature result in an innovative afterschool program connecting books and science. The library environment is an ideal setting for informal science programs. With ready access to books and the Internet, and a desire to support kids' scientific exploration, libraries can provide educational science opportunities for children and families during afterschool hours and on evenings or weekends. LEAP into Science aims to inspire exploration and questioning, providing opportunities for children and families to think like scientists and investigate scientific phenomena with familiar materials and relevant children's fiction and nonfiction books.

LEAP into Science aims to achieve the following impacts:

• Increase science interest, understanding, and engagement by involving underserved families in cross-generational science and literacy experiences

• Make science accessible to a diverse audience by bringing science activities into community settings

• Build community capacity and provide training and experience in informal science and literacy connections to library afterschool staff and children's librarians

LEAP into Science curriculum resources consist of afterschool workshops designed for children grades K-4 which integrate hands-on science activities and children's books, family workshops which engage children and adults in tabletop science activities linked with related children's books, as well as science bookmarks and exploration cards which extend learning in the home environment.

Another central goal of LEAP into Science is to demonstrate how museums, libraries, and other educational institutions can work together to enhance the capacity of urban communities to engage children and families in science. In 2011, LEAP into Science expanded to 10 new sites nationwide in efforts to better understand issues of sustainability and institutional partnerships in supporting science and literacy learning in informal environments.

LEAP into Science programming is currently taking place in Philadelphia, PA as well as 10 expansion sites nationwide. Each site consists of 2-3 partnering organizations. All sites are listed below.

How do library, museum, and afterschool professionals get involved?

LEAP into Science can serve as a model program that other urban science centers, libraries and afterschool environments can use to build science interest and engagement among children, youth leaders, afterschool staff, and families. Program trainings are currently being offered at The Franklin Institute Science Museum to education professionals in the region.

If you are interested in attending a LEAP into Science training, or would like more information about the program or expansion sites, contact Julia Skolnik at jskolnik@fi.edu or 215-448-1098.

For more information, contact us at leapteam@fi.edu.

This work is supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant #0714658. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the project team and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.