Family Science Nights:Fun for the Whole Family!

Illinois After School Assoc. Conference-SpringfieldMay 3, 2014    

Family Science Nights can be a powerful and distinctive way to make a positive impact on the children and families in your unique learning environments. These events help raise awareness of the importance of science, and more importantly, showcase the need for parents to actively support their children’s learning. This guide is designed to be a working tool as you plan the details of your program.

Family Night Planning Guide

LogisticsAfter selecting a date and time for your Family Science Night, there are many more decisions to make. Below are some things to consider when planning your event.

·Choose a location for the event. Family Science events can be done anywhere: school cafeteria, community center, gym, church basement, outdoors, etc… Be sure to consider the space, how many people you are expecting, and how to accommodate them.

·Determine how many staff/volunteers are needed. There should be one to two staff or volunteers at each station (i.e. registration or activities).

·Choose activities and determine necessary materials—make it easier by utilizing what you already have! (i.e. Science Club activities and materials or materials you have lying around or in bulk).

·If applicable, rent equipment, tables or chairs.

·If possible, offer incentives to participate, such as prizes, raffle drawings, babysitting for very young children, and/or extra credit for students who attend.

·If possible, provide refreshments. People always respond to “free” food! It also demonstrates the value you place on the attendees presence.

·Be sure to contact any staff or administration that are necessary for keeping the building open after hours.

Promotion

Who is your target audience? How can you best reach them?

The following are ideas to help you promote your event:

·Create a flyer to communicate the event with families. Be sure to include all information about the event in your promotion.

·Deliver the flyer by mail, at report card pick-ups, or when parents come to pick up their students after school.

·Utilize other forms of communication such as newsletter articles, posters at your site, emails, letters to parents, bulletin boards, or local media.

·Provide additional programming. It may help increase involvement if you offer families additional programs or services the night of the event (i.e. book drive, science fair, family math night).

ResourcesBe sure to utilize any resources available to make planning and hosting the event easier for you.

Here are a few ideas of additional resources that might help you:

·In addition to your staff volunteers, internal and external volunteers may be needed.If you need additional people to assist the event night, reach out to parents, organized volunteer or civic service organizations, high schools, or senior citizen centers. Utilizing older students is an incredibly powerful way to motivate younger students to pursue further work within science clubs and academic organizations.

·Helpful books:

Family Science, Portland State UniversityScience Night Family Fun from A to Z, Terrific Science Press

·Don’t forget us! We’re here to help you any way we can. Please feel free to contact any After-School Science Minors Clubs staff:

Angelina Mendoza (773)947-3102, angelina.mendoza@msichicago.orgBrett Nicholas (773)753-6256, brett.nicholas@msichicago.orgGail J. Hutchison (773)753-3874, gail.hutchison@msichicago.orgKeith Hand (773)753-6006, keith.hand@msichicago.org

This presentation is available on www.slideshare.net/MSIScienceClubs.