Category Archives: Opportunities

ProjectCSGIRLS is a non-profit run by undergraduate women aiming to close the gender gap in computer science by holding a national competition and regional workshops for girls in Grades 6-8. The 2019 ProjectCSGIRLS Competition is now open for individuals or teams of two to three middle-school girls to build projects to address a social problem or issue. Building can mean anything from physically putting together machine parts for a robot to writing code for a mobile app to prototyping a new prosthetic device. Register by March 1 and submit projects by April 15.

This month, the Museum of Science will debut two new exhibits, just in time for February school vacation. Both are free with Exhibit Halls admission or museum membership.

• Wild Kratts Ocean Adventure immerses kids and adults in whole-body explorations of ocean habitats and the fascinating creatures within them.
• Nature’s Superheros: Life at the Limits explores the extraordinary adaptations that various species have developed in response to challenging environments.

Science Club for Girls has announced that Dr. Bonnie Bertolaet is the club’s new Executive Director. She has been on SCFG’s board for two years, most recently as chair, and has been the major force behind the organization’s current strategic plan, operational restructuring, and reinvigorated focus on development. SCFG offers free STEM programs to connect girls in Grades K-12, especially those from underrepresented groups, with female mentor-scientists in a fun, nurturing, and interactive environment.  Learn how you can volunteer or donate.

• Grades K-5
• Middle-School (STEMinistas)
• Grades 8-12 (Junior Mentors)

Learn2Code offers live online, hands-on coding classes — taught by students from universities such as MIT, Carnegie-Mellon, and Caltech — for students in elementary, middle, and high school. Students learn coding concepts and write, test, and debug code with an instructor in private, semi-private, or group online settings and can access all course material at any time.

The fourth Wellesley STEM Expo will be held on April 6 at Wellesley High School.  The organizers invite individuals, organizations, schools, companies, and groups to sign up to host an exhibit, run a workshop, or become a sponsor. For more information, email expo@wellesleyeducationfoundation.org.

Genes in Space invites students in Grades 7-12 to a contest to design DNA experiments for space. Five finalist teams will receive mentoring by Harvard/MIT scientists and present at the International Space Station R&D Conference for a chance at the national award.  Winners will attend Space Biology Camp and send their experiment into space. Applications are due April 19.  The contest is free and does not require equipment.  Proposals will be judged solely on their creative and scientific merit.

Framingham State University’s Christa McAuliffe Center seeks presenters and volunteers for the second annual Science on State Street festival on April 27, 11AM-3PM, on its campus (directions).  It’s free and open to all ages, with hands-on activities (in biology, chemistry, physics, food science, robotics and engineering), featured presentations by FSU faculty and invited scientists, conversations and performances that explore the interaction between science and the arts, and planetarium programs.  Sign up now if you’d like to be an exhibitor or volunteer.

Bay State Learning Center (45 Bullard Street in Dedham) is seeking to hire a
“mature, energetic, creative person to help facilitate programs, mentor kids, and/or develop learning plans” — starting as soon as possible through June 15, 10AM-2PM, $35 per hour. Experience working with middle- and high-school students in an educational setting is required. For more information email information@baystatelearning.org. To apply, send resume and cover letter to that address.

The Newton Free Library, in its fifth year hosting the Newton Girls Who Code Club, seeks volunteer facilitator/instructors for this very popular, free, after-school program for Grades 6-12. The Library provides meeting space, and the global Girls Who Code organization provides curriculum materials. The Library usually hosts two sections, each with 20-25 girls and two or more facilitators, meeting on Mondays, 7PM-8:30PM. Facilitators do not need technical experience and may learn alongside Club members. They need a passion for closing the gender gap in technology, skill in fostering community in youth groups, and the ability to volunteer 3 to 4 hours per week through May (including preparation and travel). Men and women are encouraged to apply. If interested, read this description and email mcoffey.ntn@minlib.net if you have further questions. Apply here.