Community-based science, an introduction to finding opportunity

Getting kids involved in science, outside of the classroom.

A conversation with a friend last night reminded me of some posts I wrote earlier about helping scientists connect to programs for helping students.

My friend, as a parent, approached this idea, of connecting scientists with students, from a different angle.

She wanted to know how you go about connecting students with science?

  • What do you do if the science program at your kid's high school seems a little, well, uninspiring?
  • If the teachers aren't interested, how do you help?
  • How do you create opportunities for kids to get involved in doing some kind of science?

As I talked to her, despite all the difficulties flashing before me eyes, I realized that I do know some things about finding science opportunities, at least in my community, and I could help by writing about them. I've written a few things about ways that scientists can connect, now, it's time to write about ideas for students.

Here are some of the different ways that high school kids can participate in science:

  • School science clubs or other kinds of school clubs with a service component, or other organizations like Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, or Campfire.
  • Participate in some kind of outreach program
  • Volunteer somewhere
  • Contests and fairs
  • Paid internships

I'll write about each topic, in no particular order. If you have ideas, questions, or suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them.

More like this

With just over 10 hours left in our ScienceBlogs/Donors Choose Blogger Challenge 2007, it's time to think about what happens next. Supporting classroom teachers with your funds is a noble gesture, but it's just a start. To really get math and science literacy (and enthusiasm) to the levels we'd…
What do you do if you're a scientist and want to volunteer in a classroom? How do you find the right place to go and right kind of activity that suites your talents? One of my commenters asked about this a few weeks ago. With the new school year up and running, it seems like a good time to tackle…
Gabrielle Lyon is the Executive Director and Cofounder of Project Exploration. But the story is much longer. She went to grad school (U. of Chicago) with my brother and he thought that Gabe and I would be interesting to each other due to our shared interest in dinosaurs. So we got in touch and…
Thanks to Project Lead the Way for this great eblast covering the USA Science and Engineering Festival! Thanks for getting the word out. Project Lead The Way, the nation's leading provider of STEM education, is partnering with the USA Science and Engineering Festival to celebrate innovation in…

Scientists without Boarders is just getting started but there is a ton of potential there including working with international students.

The was included in the latest email from the New York Academy of Science. It sounds great for those in the geographic area.

Volunteer Opportunities for Scientists

The Bard High School Early Colleges are seeking scientists to participate in their Young Scholars Program. The program connects students to science through primary literature discussion groups and by hosting a seminar series where scientists talk to students about their research. A select group of students is also available for research internships.

Consider volunteering to be a speaker in the series, providing papers for discussion groups, or interviewing students for an internship. For more information contact Patricia Cole, BHSEC II Science Liaison at 718-271-4171, extension 1121, or by e-mail at cole@bard.edu.

By Rob Pyatt (not verified) on 08 Dec 2008 #permalink

Introduce your kid to Fold It!, a computer game enabling them to contribute to important scientific research, and in the while teaching about (protein) science.