Curriculum LibraryCurriculum LibraryInquiry in the Community works on the following premise: Professional development + ongoing support = success!
As such, we provide two kinds of tools; some help you implement the initial professional development, and others help you provide ongoing support to your staff and volunteers. Here's a quick tour:
Professional Development
- Curriculum - The cornerstone of our project is the professional development curriculum we provide. The original inspiration for the curriculum is the Institute for Inquiry curriculum, a teacher-training curriculum designed by the Exploratorium. We've specifically adapted the curriculum to the Girl Scout (and broader afterschool) context. Plus, we provide facilitator's guides, participant handouts, and tips galore on implementing it in your program. It can be used with both support staff/volunteers and those working directly with youth; we recommend sharing it with everyone in your organization.
- Curriculum Variations - Of course, how (and where) you implement the curriculum is up to you! We've embedded our core curriculum into a variety of workshops, and are sharing them here with you. Whether you need a class teaching people how to use Journeys, to take kids on day trips, or something special for your key volunteers (like Girl Scout service unit managers or facilitators), we've got it covered.
- Supplies and Customizing - Each facilitator guide has the nuts and bolts of what you need to do to prepare for the workshop, including detailed supply lists. We also help you figure out how you can customize our resources to meet your council's needs, timeline, and resources.
Ongoing Support
- Planning Tools -To help you provide support to your volunteers/staff after the initial workshop is over, we provide planning tools that walk you through the possibilities, and help you select ideas that are right for you. Short follow-up workshops at service unit or staff meetings? Revised event plans? Recruiting activity guides? Ongoing coaching or mentoring? It's up to you.
- Pathway Examples - We also provide some real-life examples of what other Girl Scout councils and programs have done to implement Inquiry in the Community in troops, camps, series, and events, so you don't have to start from scratch.
- Activities - Often, people want more science activities to do with youth. Pull one out and try it at a volunteer or staff meeting, pop one into an event, or share them as "back pocket" activities when you don't know what else to do with the kids. We've provided outlines for some tried-and-true activities, and also included blank activity templates so you can make your own.
