Celebrating Science - A Family Science Project
Sustaining Family Science Programs Home
Steps in Planning Family Science Events
Steps in Implementing Family Science Events
Steps in Evaluating Family Science Events
Follow-up Projects
Download PDF



  Steps in Planning Family Science Events

Develop a Common Mission
A project's mission, vision, and goal statements provide the organizing language that helps you decide what to do and how and when to do it. Here are a few tactics to support your overall strategy.
  1. Work with people, groups, or organizations whose goals align with yours.
  2. Gather a diverse group of people who can provide multiple perspectives.
  3. Bring all stakeholders to planning discussions.
  4. Build working relationships through open communication.
  5. Provide the Family Science program framework but be flexible and responsive to all participants' needs.
  6. Determine specific audience for events.
  7. Make learning outcomes for events intentional and targeted.


Recruit a Leader
One strategy learned through our own Family Science events was to recruit a point person, a lead teacher, or committed volunteer to call meetings, plan agendas, assign tasks for events, and orchestrate event/program timelines.

Advertise the Events
Advertise early and frequently, such as in the school, community center or other organization's monthly newsletters. This will help spread information and get families further involved in science beyond the school classroom. Consider translating flyers into the native languages of families in your school and organization. Flyers can be posted at local community gathering places such as community centers, churches, and local coffee houses.

Document the Events
Document your science events and planning decisions. These records will help build the structure for an ongoing program and provide continuity for new volunteers. If you use the Event Planning and Documentation Tool (see Forms section) the guide will gradually become individualized for your organization and provide a rich history of science events and outcomes.

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