This guide provides information about the details that leaders and instructors preparing to offer science after school will need to know, and also offers fascinating and rewarding experiments. This guide represents a valuable asset for a start-up science program and offers sound science, currently relevant health concepts, and generally very practical advice for both the startup and execution phases of an informal science program.

The planning and start-up phases of an informal science program can be among the most significant and critical parts of the program. Absent the kind of guidance providing in this resource, the process of developing a successful informal science program can seem daunting. From developing the content to assembling necessary materials to insuring that proper forms are available for parents to complete, the planning phase requires good organization and awareness of what has to be completed. This guide helps leaders organize and also offers suggestions about planning activity schedules, determining the appropriate site characteristics.

Both veterans and inexperienced staff can count on support for thinking about and developing activities and leading participants through hands-on experimentation. This guide also offers suggestions about the legal aspects of a camp-based program such as liability and special needs students, that may or may not be relevant to other informal programs, but are worth exploring in order to be sure that programs are safe on in compliance with relevant standards and regulations.

The information provided in this guide supports effective planning by offering clear and thorough tips about the steps and details to consider in establishing an informal science program. For example, resources for materials are covered in the extensive resource appendix. Budgeting, staffing tips include sample forms, helpful questionnaires, and application templates. For informal programs that happen during summer or school vacations, this guide even suggests schedules. The information offered is flexible enough to meet the needs of a variety of program formats, from camps to more traditional afterschool programs. Most of the advice offered can be modified to meet specific needs. Practical form templates, such as medical and emergency contact sheets that can be reproduced are also included, as is information about how to recruit participants conduct effective advertising campaigns and prepare press releases. There are also examples of forms that can be used once the program is underway to collect feedback and other information useful for evaluation.

The “Camper Notebook”- the included manual designed for program participant to keep track of activities or experiements- is delightful to read and explore. The graphics are appealing and humorous, and text is well spaced and easy to read. The golden value in this “Camper Notebook’ are the wonderfully designed experiments. Each experiment introduces an educationally valuable concept drawn from a broad range of life science disciplines. One of the most attractive aspects of the experiments is that in doing them, the participants will create tangible, usable items. such as lip balm, marbleized paper, or types of soap. Brave students will appreciate the “ick” factor in the decomposition of organic materials study; laid-back students will appreciate the creation of soaps and bubble making in surfactant studies. There is a strong emphasis on environmental issues with demonstrations in water purification, air quality, and chemicals in the student’s environment. The high ‘fun factor’ in each and every experiment will undoubtedly be a strength in seeding young minds with sound scientific principles. Each experiment is designed to require participation and observation from each science student.

An appreciated aspect of this curriculum is the relevance and clarity of the explanations of life science concepts. Chemistry, biology, and earth science are all successfully represented and explained in their role in the lesson. The experiments are not simply rote exercises…. rather, each separate experiment is more of a compressed unit study. This curriculum shows stunning attention to detail in regards to principles of quality bench science. Good lab practices such as careful weighing; chemical handling guidelines, and stringent note keeping records are diligently practiced in each demonstration. The concept of clear methodology is demonstrated in the logically presented protocols. Quality bench science is safe- and also tantamount to repeatable, absolute results. The practices repeated here (yet repeated in varied manners so as not to be redundant) are valuable habits to instill in young scientists. The consistent attention paid to excellence is commended in these experiments. The science taught is reliable, well cited, and cannot be faulted in its presentation of fact.

Among the sample activities, I’ve identified examples that may be a bit advanced for younger participants: there are concepts such as balancing of chemical equations and organic chemistry that will be beyond the scope of a participants younger than nine (fourth-sixth graders). However, there are enough samples to provide a good breadth of scientific experimentation to attract the attention of a wide range of program participants. Concepts covered in the sample activities include explanations that will make sense to a similarly wide range of potential participants. The activities including in this guide represent a great way to stimulate participants’ interests in “doing science” and preparing them to tackle more advanced scientific concepts they will cover in their formal, classroom science experiences later.

While the materials for the camp/informal program are indeed extensive, none are expensive and all are easily attainable. The procurement of the materials is well covered in the budgeting pages. This manual also supplies an impressive 8-page reference guide to the sources of lesson plans that could be used to support the development of the activities/experiments described. They include human health related topics of interest and relevance to all.

The information provided in this manual will be useful in the planning and initial phases of a science program, and could even be useful for the instructor or program leader who wants to modify and improve an informal science program already underway. Regardless of the type of informal science program, the ideas, examples and suggestions provided can help launch or improve your program.