I

Am Science! Club Orientation

GROUP LEADERS

INTRODUCTION TO THE I AM SCIENCE! PROGRAM

The I Am Science! Program is offered to middle school students (4-8th grade). For approximately 8 weeks, members of the club will become scientists in training as they dive into various scientific fields. With the involvement of volunteers, high school mentors and students get to explore science, do hands on activities, and have fun!

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Expose middle school students to science and science related careers. Get students engaged and energized about science. Provide students with a positive learning environment. Boost students confidence in learning science. Improve academic performance. Develop problem solving, pattern recognition and critical thinking skills. Use a science inquiry approach throughout lessons to increase engagement, curiosity and thinking like a scientist mentality.

WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe that students should be provided with a positive and engaging learning environment where they are introduced to science topics at a challenging, yet approachable level. We understand that each student comes with a different level of scientific knowledge, individual needs, and personal experiences, which may affect how the individual learns and behaves. We strive to provide an environment where students can take an active role in their learning, build confidence in their abilities and understand how science relates to their surrounding world. We believe that with good behavior and access to positive role models, everyone has the opportunity to be a scientist in training.

I Am Science! Club Orientation

INQUIRY APPROACH:
Over the years, research has shown the importance of using inquiry-based instruction in science education. Inquiry requires students to study the world around them by observing, proposing meaningful questions, examining, gathering data/facts, and learning to provide explanations based on evidence. This thought process helps students develop both critical and logical thinking, as well as deepen the understanding of scientific ideas. Students will take an active role in their learning by beginning to think like a scientist by generating their own questions, observations, and conclusions and then converting the information into useful knowledge. Throughout the process volunteers and the Program Director and Coordinator will guide learning by introducing content, using probing questions, modeling how to use tools or materials, making open suggestions, providing additional prompts or resources, asking for students input, clarifying explanations/understanding and evaluating learning. In order for students to practice the process of scientific inquiry, the 5 Es have been used to structure sessions. Each session is designed to allow for engagement, exploration, explanation, extension, and evaluation so that students can use the scientific inquiry process of: asking, investigating, creating, discussing, and reflecting. By following the inquiry process during each session, we are able to deepen students engagement and understanding of the materials as well as provide a realistic preview of thinking like a scientist.
I Am Science! Club Orientation
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Engage/excite sessions are introduced in a way that spark curiosity and provoke students to ASK questions. Explore students are given the opportunity to do hands on experiments that require them to INVESTIGATE by making observations, collecting data, and using science tools. Explain working together, volunteers help students CREATE new knowledge from the information gathered by asking probing questions and encouraging students to make sense of the data. Extend as a group, students DISCUSS their new knowledge and frame it in a way that makes sense to them by making connections to the world around them. Students are also provided with additional resources if they are interested learning more. Evaluate Students illustrate/demonstrate their new knowledge by REFLECTING on the days activities. Volunteers observe the groups understanding of the materials as students reflect on their experiences.

I Am Science! Club Orientation

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Create a safe and respectful environment. Keep in mind each individual has different needs, experiences, and backgrounds. Engage students. Relate learning to students previous knowledge or experiences. Tell stories, ask for their input, and get them involved. Monitor students learning. Take time to understand how each individual learns and understands concepts. Respond to individual interests, strengths, and needs. Understand that your attitude affects their learning. Having a positive attitude and building relationships with the students has a positive impact on how they learn. Encourage all students to participate in learning and sharing ideas. Model a real scientist. Model the skills, attitudes, and values of scientific inquiry to encourage students to think like a scientist. Set the tone. Demonstrate a safe environment and ask that diverse ideas, skills and experiences be respected. Let the students be heard. If students are engaged in one particular topic let them continue learning. Its important to keep the engagement rather than cover all the material. Talk about it! Open the floor for discussion. Ask questions, have students share their understanding and experiences, and explore learning together.

I Am Science! Club Orientation

EXPECTATIONS
Volunteers/Mentors
Show up on time and prepared for the daily activities. If you are unable to attend please notify Jonathan Freaney ASAP (One week notice is highly appreciated). Do not come if you are sick we dont like to spread illnesses! (But of course notify Jonathan Freaney) Demonstrate positive role model characteristics. Help set up and clean up necessary equipment, materials, etc. Be respectful and mindful of individual needs, experiences, and backgrounds. Keep your group focused and on track. Act as a guide or facilitator to the students learning. Report any misconduct or poor behavior to the Program Coordinator, Beti Guevara. Have fun!

High School Mentors

Responsible for attending two days a week. One day a week is devoted to learning the material prior to the weekly session and the second day is devoted to co-leading with the volunteer. Assist the volunteers/mentors in leading weekly sessions. Act as a team leader to the students, and as an assistant to the volunteer. Show up on time and prepared for the daily activities. Demonstrate positive role model characteristics. Help the volunteer set up and clean up necessary equipment, materials, etc. Be respectful and mindful of individual needs, experiences, and backgrounds. Report any misconduct or poor behavior to program director. Have fun! Good behavior is expected - i.e. rules of the ULBGC in general must be followed. (no swearing, no hitting, no yelling) No food allowed unless we provide a snack time. No cell phones, iPods or other electronic devices. Pay attention to the speaker. Stop talking when Beti, Jonathan, or your group leader asks for your attention. Respect the other members of your group when they are speaking. Show up at on time every week. You cannot attend other ULBGC events on programming days. You will be expected to be in the room from 4-6 pm. Make sure your parents don't come earlier to pick you up. Respect the science lab including materials, equipment, electronics, and other resources. o Do not touch materials or equipment until told to do so. Do not "play" with the materials in ways other than you are instructed. No leaning on the stools. No moving around the room unless you are told to do something that requires it. Use bathrooms prior to attending the session, but please feel free to ask.

Students

I Am Science! Club Orientation

SAFETY
Supervise students when using, mixing, or experimenting with chemicals and/or other science equipment. Students should not be left unattended. Do not mix or use chemicals or equipment without permission from the Program Director, Jonathan Freaney. All spills should be promptly cleaned up. Avoid ingesting or directly smelling chemicals (if necessary, waft the odor toward the nostrils rather than smelling directly). Eating or drinking of any kind is not allowed when using chemicals. Be sure to wash hands after handling any chemicals and before handling food (after the session). Wash areas of exposed skin before leaving the laboratory. Handle and store laboratory glassware with care to avoid damage; do not use damaged glassware. Use equipment only for its designed purpose and only when given permission. Confine long hair and loose clothing. Wear shoes at all times in the laboratory. Sandals are not allowed. Assure that everyone wears appropriate eye protection when dealing with chemicals. Wear appropriate gloves when the potential for contact with toxic materials exists.

I Am Science! Club Orientation

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT: What to expect & how to handle certain situations

Many of our youth members come from underprivileged areas and have experienced difficult life challenges at a young age. During your time as a volunteer, you may come across instances where a student says or does something that you find shocking. Often times, acting out or bad behavior is a result of problems at home or school. Its important to take this into consideration, however, we recognize that bad behavior is not excusable and should be addressed appropriately. To help you prepare, we have compiled examples of situations that have come up in the past. Although this does not include every possibility, you can become more comfortable with how to handle certain situations. Remember that these students are beautiful, wonderful, smart children, who with the help of positive and motivated role models, can one day be our future Doctors, Scientists, Teachers, etc. Things kids might ask you: Be prepared to say No, Im sorry. Im not allowed to do that as a volunteer. Can I have some money?, Im hungry can you by me something?, Can you buy me a Christmas gift?, Can I have your number or Facebook info? Inappropriate topics or comments: Remind students to stay on track and refocus their attention. If comments persist give the student a warning. My parents do drugs. Makes inappropriate topical references Talks about sex Other actions students may display: Student is talking to other groups, not paying attention in your group and is wandering away from your table Student is unable to engage (i.e. morose/sullen behavior) Student is hyperactive, overly excited Student is saying they are bored Student makes fun of another student or exhibits bullying behavior Student needs to use the bathroom Students team up to disrupt their group **If a child happens to say something concerning or that makes you uncomfortable, please let the Program Director know after science club.

I Am Science! Club Orientation

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFO

Name: Jonathan Freaney Email: j.freaney@ulbgc.org Cell Phone: 773-726-4275 Name: Beti Guevara Email: b.guevara@ulbgc.org Cell Phone: 773-977-4853

I Am Science! Club Orientation