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CSWN is the hub for 22 Community Science Workshops active in established centers, schools, and libraries. Regularly scheduled meetings take place to engage 6-18 and their parents. CSWN serves as the hub that, together with these CSWs champions accessible STEM and making opportunities in diverse community settings.

The workshop tradition is defined by its focus on using diverse materials and tools that are most often reclaimed, re-used, and recycled. This emphasis on engaging with an assorted collection of tools and materials at the CSWs aligns with the core value of the children and youth innovating and gaining exposure to new experiences not likely to be accessed outside of the CSW space.

Founded in 2010 by a professional network of creative educators, the CSWN consistently prioritizes the workshop approach in order to enmesh children, parents, youth, and educators in the benefits of diverse learning styles that unfold at the workshops.

The quality of relationships and dynamic learning activities correlate to what the research literature articulates as positive youth development outcomes and protective factors against risks in the children’s lives (e.g. homelessness, food scarcity, violence, etc.). The “engaged learning” that is taking place inside workshops is focused on prioritizing the learning styles. That is, the newly emerging “makerspaces” can often rely heavily on pre- ordered curriculum and material kits, pre- constructed components, and computerized technologies while also removing peer mentoring and individually-driven interests. The grassroots experience in the full process of material manipulation and experimentation is the foundation of the CSW praxis. The grassroots approach of workshops also keeps costs low since many materials are recycled and tools are not high-tech.

Bringing this rich educational opportunity to children, youth, parents, and educators also encompasses work to advance educational equity. The children and youth who participate in the CSWs are the next generation of leaders, but the risk factors that they navigate can derail the most brilliant of their minds and hearts. The CSWs prioritize collaborations with rural, under- served, isolated and economically dire regions, and neighborhoods vulnerable to gangs and system-involvement. Coupled with the rich educational workshop process, the children and youth get daily reprieve, positive youth development, and mentoring from their time at the CSWs.  CSWN is a community benefit organization and is 501 (c)(3) tax exempt approved by IRS.