The goal of CLC is to increase awareness among Hispanics of informal science education opportunities. Increasing participation in informal science education activities is critical to addressing low rates of achievement by Hispanics in formal science education programs.
Throughout the United States, Hispanic students have traditionally performed poorer in science than their African-American and Caucasian counterparts. Today, their scores on national science standardized tests and their enrollment in college placement and advanced science courses are still well below the norms of other groups. Hispanics engineering are also severely underrepresented in professions related to science, and medicine. Access to enrichment opportunities, hands-on science education programs, and formal opportunities for family involvement in science activities in Spanish have all been touted as effective methods for increasing Latino student participation in science programs and overall achievement in science.
Building Coalitions
In each of the participating cities, CLC will bring together museums, science and health organizations, community-based organizations, schools, colleges and universities, businesses and local media to collaborate as a network, pooling resources and information, and ultimately organizing their participation in local, Latino community festivals.
Festivals
This project educates parents and youth about math and science education issues. It demonstrates science as an everyday part of life that is appealing and fun and provides learning resources through local activities and museums.
The Latino community festivals featuring CLC include events like Cinco de Mayo (May 5th), Mexican Independence Day (September 16th), El Día del Niño (April 30th), State Fairs, and radio station anniversary festivals throughout the year.
These events are not only meant to draw the Spanish-speaking Hispanics kids and make them aware of how much fun science can be but also, to stimulate the Hispanic community into being more active in programs that deal with science.
At these festivals, coalitions organize a large CLC tent featuring various bilingual, hands-on family science activities, and Self Reliance Foundation also provides information about local science education and social service resources. Through these venues CLC coalition members provide details about scholarships and career opportunities in science, technology, and biomedical research. In addition, families attending the festivals are provided with information about museums, family science|math programs and summer activities that are free or inexpensive.
Ultimately, our hope is that coalition members and community partners in each city will expand science education opportunities for the Latino community.
Media
The project utilizes a combination of media channels to “blanket” the Latino community, influence attitudes, and stimulate discussion about math and science education and activities. This “blanket” also publicizes the activities and events offered by coalition members, schools, and service providers to further support CLC’s outreach efforts.
CLC is coordinated by the Self Reliance Foundation, in partnership with the Hispanic Communications Network. HCN has a radio station network that includes over 240 Spanish-language affiliates throughout the country, reaching 92% of Hispanic
audiences, and several of these stations participate directly in CLC's activities. CLC staff seeks the support of local English and Spanish media, and produces radio capsules and promotional spots that highlight local coalition member organization activities.
The local media efforts are enhanced by a national radio series that includes science and math role model interviews, parent and child testimonials, and science information to help listeners learn that science is fun and parental participation is critical to their children’s educational success. Programs will also encourage listeners to participate in science activities and programs in their communities.
Education and Access
The project links and builds relationships between parents and children and local resources and activities by promoting local role models, programs, activities, and access through the National Hispanic Resource Helpline. Reinforce new ideas on how parents and children can get involved and provide information about math and science education issues and behaviors that will ultimately affect the future of our children and our nation.
Hispanic parents and youth will have access to informal math and science educational resources and opportunities available in their communities throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico by calling Self Reliance's National Hispanic Resource Helpline (1-800-473-3003). Bilingual specialists will provide free information and referrals to over 20,000 Hispanic serving programs and services in education, health, and social services.
In addition to the Helpline, we have developed a bilingual, web-based, science resource database available to parents, kids, and educators with distinct content targeted to each group. Celebralaciencia.org will be promoted by Hispanic Radio Network affiliate stations and newspapers, as well as coalition members in all of the participating cities.
Festival Cities
CLC is currently taking place in six cities around the U.S. - Yakima and the Tri-Cities in Washington state, Chicago, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Denver, Triangle Region in North Carolina, and Washington, DC.
