Since 2017, NGCP has partnered with The Franklin Institute to lead the National Science Foundation-funded initiative Leap into Science: Cultivating a National Network for Informal Science and Literacy. Leap into Science is a nationally recognized program that empowers educators to lead science and literacy workshops for children ages 3–10 and their families in community settings like libraries, museums, and out-of-school-time programs.  

The program model consists of state leadership teams representing 60 diverse institutions, from state libraries to statewide afterschool programs, that are provided with tools to train educators in their state on Leap into Science curriculum and facilitation strategies. During this 6-year partnership, NGCP and The Franklin Insititute have: 

• Scaled Leap into Science to at least 2,500 educators across 20 states, reaching over 40,000 children and adults. 
• Provided training and technical support to state leadership teams including a yearly National Leadership Institute, quarterly community webinars, and an online resource portal. 
• Awarded mini-grants to educators nationwide to offer special programming during National Leap into Science Week, an annual celebration of science and literacy in February of each year.