BERKELEY, Calif., Aug. 31, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Lawrence Hall of Science, in close collaboration with Developmental Studies Center (DSC) and with a grant provided by Oracle, has created a program for out-of-school settings. The program offers children the opportunity to explore and investigate science freely and creatively, allowing everyone to teach science. After-school providers that purchase the kits will receive not only 50% off the kits, but also free professional development.
Experienced and knowledgeable staff from the Lawrence Hall of Science have created tools to provide professional development. "When they said I was going to science training, I was like, 'Really? Okay, why? Why are you sending me?' But then when I got there I was, like, 'Hey, I could do this, this is fun!' So...I didn't mind just volunteering!" said Grace Gonzalez, after finishing her training. "The training helped a lot. I think it helped us be a little bit more hands-on, or at least have a better understanding of it, so we're not telling the kids, 'Okay, make a rocket,' and we have no idea how to make this rocket," she added.
The Afterschool KidzScience kits are easy to use, require minimal preparation and cleanup, and come with clear, step-by-step instructions and all necessary materials. Every kit includes Session guides, a handbook, question cards, kit materials, video clips, and refill kits. Each Afterschool KidzScience kit is designed for children from grades 3 to 5 and includes four sessions for up to 20 children each.
The hands-on activities guide children to experience several important science concepts that are aligned with the National Education Science Standards. The kits emphasize teamwork and the idea that science is a way of thinking about and finding out about the world. "It's like, before, in my class we were just reading stuff and just looking at stuff, but we never really made stuff. Then when we did this, we got to make all this stuff, and I liked it better," said Andrew, a third-grader who tried the "color in nature" kit at his after-school program.
This special offer is available in many communities where Oracle offices are located. Oracle employees are encouraged to volunteer in various ways; they can support science in their own community by spreading the word about this opportunity to local after-school programs.
The Afterschool KidzScience kits are the result of a unique partnership, bringing together expertise in effective, inquiry-based science education from the Lawrence Hall of Science and the DSC's experience in developing and publishing both after-school and in-school programs that promote children's academic, ethical, and social development to allow everyone to teach science. For more information or to order, visit www.lawrencehallofscience.org/kidzscience.
About Lawrence Hall of Science: The Lawrence Hall of Science, the public science center at the University of California at Berkeley, is a nationally renowned resource for innovative science and mathematics educational materials. Through its many well-established curriculum programs, the Hall has reached millions of pre-K through 12th-grade children, both nationwide and around the world. The mission of the Lawrence Hall of Science is to inspire and foster learning of science and mathematics for all. Please visit www.lawrencehallofscience.org/education/curriculum to learn more about the Hall and its programs.
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About Developmental Studies Center (DSC): Developmental Studies Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to children's academic, ethical, and social development.DSC devises after-school and school-based programs that help children develop capacities to think deeply and critically so they will continue learning throughout their lives while strengthening their commitment to such values as kindness, helpfulness, personal responsibility, and respect for others. Please visit www.devstu.org to learn more about DSC and its programs.
About Oracle: Oracle works to advance education with state-of-the-art technology programs and to prepare students for life and work in the 21st century. Oracle's grant to the Lawrence Hall of Science helped create Afterschool KidzScience, a program that engages children in inquiry-based science activities. The program's kits align to state and national science standards and are being used in 40 states and three countries. For more information visit www.oracle.com.
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