Informal Education

Dynamic afterschool programs for middle school students. Adult literacy programs for parents in New York City or coffee farmers in Papua New Guinea. Interactive exhibits at a library, teen center, museum, or national park. The potential for learning exists in every corner of every community. EDC works to realize that potential in its work with institutions and community groups. Along with our partners, we develop creative, engaging programs that guide people in building basic educational skills or developing deep content knowledge.

Math Partners: Materials Development for America Counts

This project developed Web-based materials to support the national America Counts initiative, in particular, mathematics materials for use in mentoring K–9 students. Also developed were training materials—both print and video—to support coordinators of mentoring programs.

The Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology of Discovery: Unlocking the Secrets of Nubian Culture

This project creates informal learning opportunities in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology, using the ancient African civilization of Nubia as the context. Components include an exhibit, educational materials (hands-on kits, videos, and discussion guides), a Web site, a CD-ROM, community outreach, and professional development programs for educators in museums, community groups, schools, and libraries.

Design It! Engineering in Afterschool Programs

In collaboration with the National Institute of Out-of-School Time (NIOST), EDC’s Center for Science Education worked with six science centers around the country to introduce design-engineering activities into afterschool programming. CSE developed the curricula for the engineering projects; NIOST provided technical support for their implementation. Through monthly workshops, science centers introduced the curricula to program leaders of participating community agencies.

Explore It! Science Investigations in Out-of-School Programs

CSE is developing Explore It!, an out-of-school curriculum in which children explore familiar phenomena in an extended manner using simple materials to foster science learning. These investigations will provide an experiential foundation for the development of concepts aligned with the national standards addressed in formal school curricula.

Afterschool Academies

EDC delivers intensive professional development for afterschool providers in the integration of academic content in afterschool programming. Created in partnership with the Afterschool All-Stars, Citizen Schools, CNYD, and Foundations Inc., the trainings emphasize experiential learning approaches, positive youth development principles, and on-going staff leadership and development.

Investigating the Implementation of Genes to Cognition Online Project

CCT is conducting a formative evaluation of the Dolan DNA Learning Center’s (DNALC) Genes to Cognition (G2C) online project. G2C is an effort to introduce teachers and students to key psychological and biological concepts in modern cognitive science research through a Web site that mimics the molecular and cellular networks of the brain. CCT is examining the refinement of G2C’s theory of impact and the development of performance indicators.

Youth Media Evaluation Technical Assistance

EDC is providing technical assistance to the youth media field and Time Warner’s community grantees, building the capacity of these programs to measure their impact more effectively. Activities include individual consultation with grantees, training in a range of evaluation strategies, dissemination of promising evaluation practices, and the development of a cross-site research agenda.

Power Users of Technology United Nations Invitational Summit

The Power Users of Technology Initiative was launched by EDC and the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City in December, 2004.

Cake Chemistry and Baking Soda Balloons

Have you ever wondered why a cake rises? How the bubbles get in the soda bottle? What makes a bathtub boat float or sink? If you answered “yes” to any of these, you’re in good company. Educators from around the country recently gathered at the Children’s Museum in Boston to investigate questions like these, part of a national initiative to bring high-quality, hands-on science to thousands of children in afterschool programs around the country.

Afterschool Science

A national initiative led by EDC’s Center for Science Education (CSE) and Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) in Berkeley, California, has recruited community program leaders across the country to help them implement high quality science and engineering activities in afterschool programs.