Project Recap

Leap into Science expanded access to welcoming, community-based family science programs nationwide and deepened understanding of how trusted local institutions strengthen family learning.

Project Overview

Many young children and families in both urban and rural communities have limited opportunities to explore science together in ways that feel welcoming and accessible. Parents and caregivers may feel unsure about how to support science learning, while staff in libraries, museums, and community centers may not have formal science training. Leap into Science addressed these challenges by helping communities create high-quality family science experiences through trusted local institutions.

From 2017 to 2021, the Leap into Science national network supported informal educators in 30 states to offer family programs that combined children’s picture books with hands-on science activities focused on everyday experiences such as balance, wind, and light. Led by The Franklin Institute in partnership with the National Girls Collaborative Project, the project leveraged existing statewide and regional networks to reach families where they already gather, such as libraries, museums, and community spaces.

The Institute for Learning Innovation served as a research partner, examining how families engage with science and literacy in these settings and how programs like Leap into Science fit into families’ broader learning experiences across home and community contexts.

The project reached more than one million children and adults nationwide and demonstrated the ole community-based programs can play in strengthening family learning. Families reported increased confidence exploring science together and greater awareness of learning opportunities in their communities. Educators gained practical strategies and confidence in supporting inquiry-based learning. The project also generated insights about how local context— including rural and urban differences and host institution type — shapes family experiences, offering guidance for organizations working to strengthen learning ecosystems at scale.