NPASS2 is an intensive Professional Development program for afterschool science. Our mission is to increase the quantity ad quality of project-based science in afterschool settings but training and supporting youth workers and other front-line afterschool staff (and administrators) to lead extended, hands-on science and engineering projects with kids — and to do it with confidence, skill and intention.

To achieve this outcome, NPASS is working with statewide technical assistance agencies in nine states. In each state we have recruited 10 – 15 specialists from afterschool service agencies such as 4-H Extension, School Age Care Alliances and Afterschool Networks, and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. NPASS Science Trainers are not science specialists, but they are skilled and knowledgeable about Youth Development best practices and they know the afterschool world well. NPASS has recruited and trained over 100 such professionals to add project-based science to their portfolio.

NPASS Science Trainers meet instate twice each year for a 3-day institute led by EDC staff. At each meeting the Trainers rehearse their training practice for three new NPASS curriculum projects. At the same time they have helped develop and disseminate easy to digest tools to promote best practices for trainign and leading afterschool science projects.

The Professional Development Tools linked below are recommended for those who use NPASS2 Curriculum projects from EDC’s Design It! or Explore It! product lines, or for those who train others to do so.