AKA Science Program

About/ AKA Science Program

AKA Science celebrates 25 years!

AKA Science (All Kids Are Scientists) started in 1996 at Oregon Health Career Center and has been in continuous operation ever since. Impact NW adopted the program in 2011 and effectively strengthens Portland communities by bringing fun, hands-on, after-school science enrichment and outdoor environmental day camps to elementary and early middle school students at more than 60 SUN Community Schools and Boys & Girls Clubs across Portland.

Program overview

AKA Science provides highly-engaging, hands-on afterschool science enrichment and outdoor daycamps to children in grades K-8. We primarily serve SUN and Boys & Girls Club locations in Portland that have a high economic need (as measured by Free & Reduced Lunch program enrollment), high percentage of students that identify as BIPOC (i.e. Indigenous, Black, Brown, Latino/a/x, Melanated, Immigrant and Asian), and locations that are situated in East County and North Portland.

AKA Science afterschool classes are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and comes with a complete class set of supplies & materials to bring the curriculum to life. Our curriculum is field-tested, inquiry-based, culturally-responsive & trauma-informed, and caters to a variety of learning styles. Curriculum topics vary by term and include biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, environmental science, earth science, and forensic science. Curriculum is designed as 8 one-hour lessons that feature 4-6 fun activities per lesson. Lessons and activities have the flexibility to be condensed or expanded based on student needs and interests.

AKA Science provides comprehensive educator training for AKA Science class leaders, which includes an orientation that covers inquiry-based teaching, trauma-informed classrooms, differentiated learning for meeting students where they're at, classroom management from a socio-emotional health lens. Training also includes activity training for the kit topic at hand, wherein instructors gain first-hand experience with all of the materials and lessons they will be facilitating.

AKA Science outdoor environmental daycamps bring science and nature together. Students explore biology, chemistry, physics and engineering and how it connects with nature and the outdoors. We blend nature-based games, sensory awareness, wildlife observation, ecosystem exploration, natural pigments and nature art, and nature appreciation with STEM experiments, and our students love it! Our camps are offered year round (no-school day camps, spring break camps, and summer camps!) See our STEM Day Camps tab for more info!

Program Outcomes & Demographics

Each year, AKA Science reaches more than 1,400 youths between grades K-8 through afterschool classes offered at Portland SUN community schools and Boys & Girls Club locations.
For more than 10 years, AKA Science results in an average of 85% of its youth participants demonstrating improved attitudes about science and increased knowledge of science concepts. Last year, our average was 96%.
During 2021-2022, 72% of youths served identified as BIPOC, including Indigenous, Black, Brown, Latino/a/x, Melanated, Immigrant, and Asian youths. Of total youth served, 73% resided in high-poverty areas within Portland (e.g. East County, North Portland) and 84% participated in the Free & Reduced Lunch program.

Which schools do we work with?

Program Cost

The AKA Science afterschool package includes easy-to-follow, NGSS-aligned curriculum, a full kit of supplies for up to 15 students (plus one set for the instructor), and training of the class instructor.

Grades K-2 Kits:

$600 standard price
$450 for SUN, BGC, and Title 1 schools

Grades 3-5 Kits:

$600 standard price
$450 for SUN, BGC, and Title 1 schools outside of Portland
FREE (grant-funded) for eligible SUN and BGC sites within Portland thanks to Portland Children's Levy

Grades 6-8 Kits:

$600 standard price
$450 for SUN, BGC, and Title 1 schools outside of Portland
FREE (grant-funded) for eligible SUN and BGC sites within Portland thanks to Portland Children's Levy

2022-2023 Portland SUN Community Schools:

Alder, Arleta, Beach, Bridger, Buckman, Cesar Chavez, Creston, George, Gilbert Heights, Gilbert Park, Glenfair, Hartley, Hollydale, Jackson, James John, Jason Lee, Kelly, Kellogg, Lent, Lincoln Park, Markham, Marysville, Menlo Park, Mill Park, Oliver, Parklane, Patrick Lynch, Peninsula, Powell Butte, Sacramento, Salish Ponds, Rigler, Robert Gray, Ron Russell, Rose City Park, Russell, Scott, West Powellhurst, Whitman, Wilkes, Woodmere, Woodland, Woodlawn, Ventura Park, Vernon, Vestal

Boys & Girls Clubs:

Blazers, CareOregon @Rockwood, Crescent Court, Regence, Wattles

Other Locations (in and around Portland):

Portland Tennis & Education, Butte Creek Elementary School

Things our participants say

Students said:

“I liked everything about this class! It was fun and I liked using my senses and doing experiments. I like that I can do science at home and have fun with it. I notice when I am in [AKA Science] class I am more focused and am better at science than I thought.” -Woodmere 5th grade student

“I liked how fun the experiments were. I learned that I love science and I can teach my family about science!” -Jason Lee 4th grade student

“I like the projects we do. I notice when it's time for AKA Science I am ready and happy. When I grow up I want to be a scientist!” – Anonymous student

Parents said:

"My son usually has a hard time with his regular school-day classes but with his afterschool AKA Science class he would be very excited to start a new activity every week. He reminded me daily about his science class.” - Parklane SUN Parent

“My child expressed that she had more of an interest in science and she didn’t know that science can be fun and she would love to attend more classes! She had a great experience.” - Marysville SUN Parent

Class Leaders said:

"I had the privilege of working with a group of 5th graders that were inquisitive, full of ideas and eager to learn. They would catch me out at recess and ask me more questions related to forensics and wonder when their next class would take place. I loved the storytelling nature of the mysteries in the AKA lessons and the students had fun pretending to be the characters of the mystery." -Woodmere Hub Site Manager & Class Leader, Audrey R.

"AKA Science not only provided fun educational activities but provided a way to build a sense of community and team building for the students. They practiced listening to new perspectives from their peers and providing feedback for them as well. Activities were engaging and helped to keep students on task." -Kelly SUN Class Leader, Karley S.

Site Managers said:

“AKA Science is always a success at [our school]. Students report how much fun they have doing the activities and are super excited for class daily. They always leave with their projects and have the best time showing off their work with pride.” – Monique Shellmire, Beach SUN Site Manager

“The kits are truly spectacular. I don't know how you could make them better-- SO much thought goes into them and you know that each student is working from a level playing field. MUCH appreciated!” -Anonymous Site Manager