The Hands-On-Science Outreach (HOSO) program, with support from NSF, has established more than 15 sites across the country where it operates after school science enrichment classes taught by local community resource staff using materials and training provided by HOSO. With steady growth, these outreach sites have over three years reached more than 10,000 children with multi-session science programs. In the 87-88 school year 681 classes at 15 sites were offered, while the parent Hands-On-Science (HOS) program in Montgomery County, Md provided 532 classes. HOSO will extend the results of the first three years, establish new sites, strengthen existing ones and develop an overall plan for economic self-sufficiency. Additional curriculum materials will be developed, manufacturing and distribution methods will be improved, and experiments with more cost-effective teacher training implemented. Planning options will include whether to emphasize centrally managed and operated program sites, or to expand the model of local "franchises" that operate independently, but are supported by HOSO as an initiator, developer and supplier of materials and training. Other project support from user fees and private grants will total more than $ 300,000.
