SAM Academy is a proud member of the Community Science Workshop Network

•  CSWs are in neighborhoods:  Each program maintains a permanent public space that is walking distance to low-income homes and schools, and is dense with science exhibits as well as tools and materials.  User-generated content and locally hired educators foster familiarity and agency for participants.
•  CSW programs are open-ended and student-driven:  As much as possible, students choose what they want to do and how they’re going to do it, what questions they want to ask and how they’re going to answer them.
•  CSWs are open-door: drop-in hours minimize barriers to participating youth and families, and a variety of other programs provide multiple entry points in time and space:  afterschool, during the day, on field trips to the CSW, and via mobile programs at rural locations.
•  CSWs strive to saturate their community with science:  working with schools, community-based organizations, housing projects, libraries, municipalities and parks as needed to transform a community’s experience of science education.