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"Virtual" Conference
on Informal Science Education
Spring 2004
As part of our 10-year anniversary celebration,
the Society for Amateur Scientists is expanding it’s educational
mission and developing LABRats,
a revolutionary new informal science education program that will
link scientists and engineers of all stripes to America’s teens.
We are hosting this "virtual" conference to gain valuable
insights to help inform LABRats design and the field of informal
science education in general.
We asked for personal reflections of informal
science education experiences. We wanted to understand the factors
that influence the quality of an informal science experience from
all perspectives — student, teacher, mentor, program director,
etc. In addition, we wanted to know how these experiences impacted
the people who had them.
We received a collection of papers that reflect
a wide variety of perspectives and experiences. We hope you enjoy
learning from the "virtual" conference as much as we did.
To stay informed of major LABRats developments,
we invite you to subscribe to the LABRats
Newsgroup.
How did you like the conference?
Email us your comments,
questions, and suggestions.
Mentoring
Student Scientists: Four Case Studies
Forrest M. Mims III
Forrest Mims is a highly accomplished citizen
scientist and is dedicated to the education of the next generation
of scientists. In this article, Forrest shares his experiences mentoring
four exceptional students and highlights the benefits for both students
and mentors.
360
Degrees of COSI Academy
David Briley, Jim Bergner, Bryan May, Kyle
Moore, and Amy Schlegel
David Briley is the Founder of COSI Academy,
an informal science education program for teenagers. In this collection
of essays from David, a COSI mentor, and several COSI participants,
the reader is treated to a full-circle view of the program.
They
Actually Did Print It
John W. Gudenas, Ph.D.
Dr. Gudenas developed scifair.org, a premier
website for students working on science fair projects. In peak months,
the site receives almost 4 million hits. In this paper, Dr. Gudenas
shares his experiences with the media in relation to scifair.org
and other service learning projects.
The
Hands-On Approach of Teaching Science to Young People
Scott Little
Scott Little is a Systems Engineer/Project
Manager. He is also the parent of two boys, ages nine and five.
This paper discusses his experiences with his boys as he tries to
instill in them the love of science he has by taking apart electronic
and household items.
The
Development of a Scientist
Donald Sieber
Donald Sieber is a retiree and a dedicated
member of the Society for Amateur Scientists. In this article, Donald
shares the role informal science education played in his life and
his current joy in conducting science demonstrations for 4th
through 6th graders.
Reflections
on Three "Might-Have-Been" Mentors
Sheldon Greaves, Ph.D.
Dr. Greaves is Managing Editor and Webmaster
for the Society for Amateur Scientists. Looking back on his science
education experiences, both informal and formal, this paper makes
a call for deeper, longer-term mentor relationships that not only
excite young people about science, but also teach the process of
science.
Barn
Rats
F. Emilie Glover
In this paper, Emilie explores the benefits observation
of and interaction with horses can offer to young people interested
in science.
The
Use of Field Experience in Formal Biology Teaching for 1st through
10th Graders
James W. Farr
James relates his experiences as a part-time
naturalist introducing students in 1st through 10th grade on field
trips to the world of living things.
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