Science and Us — a youth-led organization for high-school students to explore science communication, media, and policy — seeks high-school students from the Greater Boston area to join their community. In the past, the organization has held in-person Makeathons at Boston University, Harvard, and MIT. Science and Us is now building an online community via the online platform Discord and welcomes new members to make friends, create projects, and receive expert feedback. Students can apply here by July 19 to join. Adults can email team@scienceandus.org to apply to be mentors.
Category Archives: Opportunities
Science Club for Girls Seeks to Hire a Program Manager
Science Club for Girls in Cambridge offers free, experiential activities in STEM for K-8 girls — prioritizing those who are underrepresented in STEM by race and socioeconomic factors. SCFG is now hiring a Program Manager to join their team managing science clubs (Grades K-8) and Junior Mentors (Grades 8-12) as well as assisting in the weekly live science show, SCFGLive. Here’s the job description and how to apply.
“e” Inc. is Hiring Full-time Plant Science Educators
“e” Inc. in Charlestown is seeking to immediately hire full-time Plant Science educators for K-12 programs at diverse urban sites in the greater Boston area. Educators will receive training and supervision in their learning and teaching of “e” Inc.’s project-based, hands-on plant-science curricula. Those who have experience teaching in schools or after-school programs and are confident in managing classroom behavior are encouraged to apply. Send cover letter about your teaching experience, resume, and three teaching references to drickystern@einc-action.org. Training starts June 28.
Letters to a Pre-Scientist: STEM Professional Pen-Pal Program for Grades 5-10
Letters to a Pre-Scientist (LPS) is a non-profit initiative to facilitate one-on-one, pen-pal conversations between students in Grades 5-10 in low-income communities and STEM professionals in order to humanize STEM professionals, to inspire students to explore a future in STEM, and to demystify STEM career pathways. STEM professionals sign up in July-August and are matched with students in September based on shared interests. Students and their STEM professional partners exchange at least four letters during the school year. Entire classrooms of students participate in the program, each led by a teacher recruited by LPS and committed to the program. Started by one teacher in 2010, LPS has grown to other schools. Tax-deductible donations are appreciated.
Museum of Science Reinstates Live Presentations
Boston’s Museum of Science has returned to offering live presentations, including Lightning in the Theater of Electricity and Science Live explorations of super-cold science, live animals and ecology, archaeology, and other topics. Live presentations are included in the cost of museum admission. Arrive at the presentation location at least 10 minutes prior to the show. Virtual presentations continue online on Tuesdays, 2:30PM-3PM, and you can register for the May 18 Virtual Planetarium show here.
McAuliffe Center Offers Free Virtual Programs to Schools and Qualifying Out-of-School Organizations
Through funding from Boston Scientific, the Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University is offering free, live, virtual programming to schools and qualified out-of-school programs for Grades 1-12. Events include mission simulations, classroom adventures, earth and space explorations, and various bundles and multi-session programs. Applications are competitive, based on the needs of youth served, and are now open for the 2021-22 school year. Similar programming is also available at reasonable cost for all such schools and organizations, including for life-long learners.
Mass. Science & Engineering Fair Seeks Community Outreach Manager
The Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair seeks to hire a Community Outreach Manager to start in June. Applications are considered on a rolling basis and are encouraged for submission before May 14. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to info@scifair.com.
Science Club for Girls: Catalyst Awards Video Solicits Your Support
Science Club for Girls celebrated its annual Catalyst Awards online recently. You can view their video presentation, which gives a great overview of how SCFG excels at fostering excitement, confidence, and literacy in STEM for girls and young women from underrepresented communities. SCFG offers free, experiential activities in STEM for K-8 girls; junior mentoring and leadership experiences for high school girls; and adult mentoring and role modeling by committed women with STEM careers. You can support SCFG through donations and volunteering.
Blue Hill Observatory Open for Tours, with Discounts to Help Clear Out Gift Shop, Prior to Renovations Starting in June
The Blue Hill Observatory will undergo renovations for a year starting in June to preserve its National Historic Landmark Observatory Tower. Until late May or early June, the BHO is open for tours, either by appointment (7 days a week, 8:30AM-5:30PM) or walk-ins (Fridays through Mondays, 10AM-4PM). Discounts in the gift shop are aimed at reducing inventories of kites, books, educational toys and kits, weather instruments, geology items, and souvenirs including clothing, magnets, and mugs. And all are invited to celebrate Earth Day by climbing Great Blue Hill and stopping by the Observatory April 22-25 to be counted in the “Climb for Climate Challenge.”
Newton Schools Foundation Seeks $15K in Contributions to Calculus Project by Apr. 15
The Newton Schools Foundation has announced that anonymous donors will match up to $30,000 in donations made by April 15 for the Newton Public School’s Calculus Project. The Village Bank has donated $15,000 so there’s $15,000 left to go.
The Calculus Project works in all of Newton’s middle and high schools to have more Hispanic, African American, and low-income students successfully complete calculus in high school, as a path to success in college. Since its start in 2013, the program has increased enrollment by 70%, 200%, and 800% for these groups, respectively. The program provides intensive, small-group summer classes, enrichment activities, and year-round mentoring and tutoring. The summer program includes instruction in Computer Science, field trips to STEM-related companies, and college campus visits for rising 11th graders with a focus on STEM majors and careers. The program currently includes 150 students in Grades 8-12 and will welcome 30 incoming 8th Graders this summer. While the NPS operating budget funds part of the program, tax-deductible donations via the NSF are needed for the summer program, tutoring, enrichment activities, and supplies.