Celebrating Science - A Family Science Project
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Steps in Planning Family Science Events
Steps in Implementing Family Science Events
Steps in Evaluating Family Science Events
Follow-up Projects
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  Steps in Implementing Family Science Events

Choose an Event
After establishing a Planning Group that represents community members from the Triangle of Support, the next step is to identify the stage of science education reform efforts at the school and the current phase of community participation (see Family Science Program Model.) With this information at hand, the group is ready to choose a compatible event. Click here for a summary table with each event's description, venues, most suitable facilitators, and expected outcomes.

Recruit and Train Facilitators
When the event requires more than an informational talk, recruit a facilitator who can highlight key scientific concepts through modeling of the inquiry-based process and can encourage participants to explore scientific principles with materials on hand. One way to facilitate the inquiry-based experience for large groups is to create a set of guiding questions in advance. In the Creating Inquiry-based Activities section of this resource, several strategies for facilitating activities using an inquiry-based approach are described.

Select Activities
Select open-ended science activities that highlight inquiry-based learning strategies. (See Resources for list of science activity books and online resources.) Some other useful strategies for engaging diverse audiences are to:

Keep event start-up and focus activities short, with a minimum of explanations and instructions, before the hands-on experience.
Use one-page, pictorial diagrams (even cartoons) outlining activities whenever possible.
Use translators to engage non-English speaking families in the activities.
Use "challenge" activities to keep participants involved and trying new ideas.


Gather Supplies
Once materials have been gathered for an event, you may wish to sort them by activity and store them in plastic tubs. Make sure you indicate where these supplies are stored using the Event Planning and Documentation Tool. Consider soliciting donations from local businesses to stock supplies (e.g., straws from restaurants, wood stirring sticks from coffee shops, washers from hardware stores).

Plan the Layout
Planners and facilitators will need to consider the total number of participants expected for the event and an optimal group size for each activity. Things to consider include:

Can the written directions be read from all places where participants might be situated?
Where will paper towels, tape and extra materials be stowed for easy access?
Will participants be standing or sitting?
Are materials to remain at the event or can some be taken home for further exploration?
Are there any special needs for electricity or water at this activity station?

Materials can be shared equally among participants when each station is limited to no more than four or five people. If there is only one facilitator, limit the number of groups to ten.

Resources Forms Complete Guide Credits
Copyright© 2007 by Institute for Systems Biology. All Rights Reserved.