Abstract
SRI International conducted an evaluation of the pilot year of the California Afterschool Tinkering Network. Launched in 2012 by the Exploratorium with funding from the Stephen D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation, the network aims to promote the expansion of high-quality STEM-rich tinkering activities into afterschool programs serving children from low-income communities. The network includes five key collaborating organizations that worked in partnership with over 20 afterschool or summer programs in their local communities to serve more than 2,000 children, extending the reach of the network through a hub and spoke system across the state. All five hub organizations participated in three two-day professional development workshops organized by the Exploratorium to provide resources for implementing programs and building capacity at partner sites. Highlights of the network’s activities and accomplishments are summarized here.
Get more information about the California Tinkering Afterschool Network Evaluation.
