Work in progress-science in the afternoon: a new public-private outreach partnership

The University of Wisconsin - Madison and the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County recently formed a partnership to offer a sustained after-school informal science program to children ages 7-12. Designed to improve scientific literacy and engender an affinity for science, the program provides inquiry-based, hands-on learning opportunities stressing the interdisciplinary nature of science. With an initial focus on the ecology of the local watershed, participants explore methods of scientific inquiry, the nature of watersheds, connections between human activity and water quality, and the ecosystem impacted by the watershed. Given the opportunity to discover scientific and ecological principles firsthand, participants are encouraged to become stewards of their own environment and share what they have learned with friends and families. Sustained exposure to informal science activities will lead to improved performance in science classes and increased likelihood that these children will consider science and engineering careers.