The document discusses the Science Action Club program at the California Academy of Sciences, which aims to spark youth interest in science through hands-on, inquiry-based learning. The program provides professional development for afterschool staff and offers a STEM curriculum for students in grades 6-8 linked to citizen science projects. The approach focuses on design challenge learning, giving youth opportunities to brainstorm, problem-solve, and discuss their ideas and designs. Staff are provided with strategies to support and challenge youth through the process, such as asking questions, encouraging wild ideas, and recognizing achievements.

1. Design Challenge Learning in
Out of School Time:
Science Action Clubs
Courtney Rudd
Cnrudd@calacademy.org
Science Action Club Project Manager
May 7, 2013

2. California Academy of Sciences
The Academy’s approach to learning in out-of-
school time
• New knowledge, attitudes, skills
and career goals for leaders
• Hands-on, inquiry based
experiences
• Club identity
• Ladder of leadership
• Digital technology

3. California Academy of Sciences
OST Programs at the Academy
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th Undergraduate
Grade Level
TASC Force
N=60
Science Action
Clubs
N=400
Careers in Science
(CiS)
N=35
Student
Science
Fellows
N=10 CiS
Program
Assistants
N=4
Digital Learning Programs
N=30
Learning Labs with SF Public Library, CAS, KQED, BAVC
N=100s-1000s
Intensity

4. California Academy of Sciences
Science Action Club Program
Sparking youth interest in science!
• Offer OST professional
development for frontline staff
• Youth in grades 6-8th in
afterschool programs
• STEM curriculum linked to
national citizen science
projects
• Promote professional networks
Sparking interest in science!

5. California Academy of Sciences
Afterschool Learning Design Principles

6. California Academy of Sciences
Design Challenge Learning in Afterschool

7. California Academy of Sciences
Activity

8. California Academy of Sciences
Activity

9. California Academy of Sciences
Activity

10. California Academy of Sciences
Strategies for design challenge learning
Ways to support youth through the experience
• Engage in brainstorming
• Set clear expectations
• Ask lots of questions!
• Encourage wild ideas
• Challenge youth
• Extra cards
• Encourage youth efforts
• “Team meeting” strategy
• Recognize everyone’s achievement
• “Walkabouts”

11. California Academy of Sciences
• Can you see this activity
working at your site?
• Which parts of this activity
are the most challenging to
facilitate? Why?
• How would you or could
you adapt this activity for
your site?
• How can you support youth
if they feel overwhelmed or
lack ideas?
Guiding Questions
Debrief questions for staff

12. California Academy of Sciences
• What types of birds would live in your
bird city?
• Are there more improvements that could
be made to your bird city?
• What materials didn’t you use? Did use?
Why?
• What was most challenging?
• What was most exciting?
• Where are there bird habitats in the city
you live in?
• What are some things you could do in
your current city to preserve/provide bird
habitat?
Guiding Questions
Debrief questions for youth

13. Questions?
Courtney Rudd
Cnrudd@calacademy.org
Science Action Club Project Manager