Community-Level Science Education
On this page, you'll find local science education initiatives.
Northwestern, Science in Society
Link: Northwestern
Current Programs: Science Club, Mather Science Explorers, HELIX magazine & science communications training program, Scientific Images Contest, Science Club Summer Camp.
Program goals: “1. Respond to community-based STEM education needs. “How can we help?” are the four words that guide our work. Our work takes place in the communities we support. 2. Train Northwestern researchers in principles of teaching, mentoring, and community engagement. Our research shows mentors who work with us carry these skills into their professional lives. 3. Close opportunity gaps by connecting underserved students with university scientists and authentic learning experiences.”
LA’s Best
Link: LA's Best
About: “The mission of LA’s BEST is to provide a safe and supervised after school education, enrichment and recreation program for children ages 5 to 12 in Los Angeles. The after school hours — when school’s out and many parents are still working — are the time that children are most vulnerable to risky behaviors, crime and the dangers of the streets. These hours are also often a time when children in areas with the greatest needs and fewest resources fall further and further behind their more fortunate peers. It can be a time of missed chances to help students succeed in school and get equipped with the intellectual and social skills they’ll need in the future. But it doesn’t have to be that way.”
RockEDU Science Outreach, Rockefeller University
Link: Rockefeller University
About: “Our collaborative and creative team of scientists, educators, and support staff works at the intersection of basic science research and K-12 science education to create innovative and flexible science resources and programs that promote equitable access to and an appreciation for the scientific process, and are sustained through a culture of outreach within the scientific community. We meet students and teachers at various levels in order to foster active dialogue with scientists, hands-on experience in an authentic lab, and increasing awareness of the science all around us. Collectively these are known as the Learning At the Bench (LAB) Initiative. We also share educational resources, our Incubator Blog, and broader initiatives on science outreach at RockEDU Online.”
SciPop
Link: SciPop
Creator: the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
About: “Welcome to SciPop Talks! a series of talks open to the public featuring the intersection of science and pop culture. These talks are co-sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln University Libraries, Chemistry Department and Physics Department, Doane University, and the Nebraska Local Section of the American Chemical Society.”
More: Includes lectures on Harry Potter + science, zombies + brains, Game of Thrones and chemistry, and more.
Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance
Link: MMSA, Current Projects
About: “Maine Math & Science Alliance offers targeted professional learning opportunities for your school or district. Our educator support spans implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), STEM integration, curriculum mapping, development of performance-based assessment tasks and more.”
More: Helped organize a conference in 2018 about informal science education (outside of the classroom) in rural settings.
4th Family
Link: 4th Family
About: “4th Family Incorporated is a not-for-profit organization that hosts teen/community events, mentor programs, personal development programs, educational programming, wellness & health programs, annual sport leagues & tournaments, as well as educational trips. We engage all communities within the Capital District, starting in the high schools. Our goals are to motivate, encourage and uplift the community. 4th Family empowers the community by targeting at risk youth and adults and providing them with an array of unique personal development opportunities.”
