1
BOOST Science Coaches
Position Description
2016 School Year
BOOST, a National Institutes of Health Science Education Partnership Award seeks undergraduate, graduate and professional students to coach (mentor) program participants. BOOST (Building Overtures and Opportunities in Science and Technology), is a program of science education and mentoring for 5th – 12th grade Durham Public School students who are underrepresented minority (URM) or disadvantaged.
RESPONSIBILTIES:
Mentoring Science Scholars
Objective:Develop a strong bond and guide Durham area Youth as they work intensively on research projects chosen by the Scholar teams.
Students:Each Coach supervises a group of BOOST scholars selected by teachers and project staff in the summer prior to entering 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. OR 9th-12th grade for the ‘Another Level’ extension.
Approach:Coaches establish rapport with their Team of Scholars, design hands-on activities, volunteer in Durham Public Schools and develop a unique research project with each group of participants.
Schedule:Coaches meet every month for Science Saturdays, for about four hours, with their team of Scholars. Coaches coordinate transportation with the scholar’s parent as appropriate. Coaches and scholars will work toward a science symposium project in May. Coaches have a 2 hour planning meeting each month. Through our BOOST N School initiative Coaches are asked to participate in schools once a month. To help the Scholars adequately prepare a project for the Scholars’ presentation, Coaches will need to meet intermediate milestones during the year.
Other Activities
Orientation and Follow-up
There will be at least two evening orientation sessions to help prepare Coaches to fulfill their roles. Session 1 will cover BOOST program goals, rationale, and structure, as well as its place as part of an overarching strategy to increase diversity in STEM professions. Session 2 will address expectations, strategies for engaging middle school students, principles of inquiry-based learning, DPS science curriculum content, and academic/school goals for participating students.
Field Trips
Each age group or Cohort will have in several field trips arranged for Science Scholars or school classes throughout the year. Coaches are expected to attend at least one.
Evaluation
For purposes of the improving the program and to meet grant requirements, Coaches will be asked to participate in several evaluation activities, including small-group interviews and brief surveys. All information will be kept confidential and no identifying information will be included in any reports.
Expenses
BOOST will cover all expenses for the summer programs, monthly planning dinners, activities with the Scholars, and funds to cover materials for the science fair project.
Stipend
Coaches will receive a stipend of $1800 for the year, less fringe and taxes. We are currently restructuring the grant to increase this amount.
ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants must be currently enrolled undergraduate, graduate or professional science students.
Commitment: A minimum of one-year, beginning in the summer prior to school year through end of the school year. Coaches must be available during Summer ImmersionJune 27th-July 1st, 2016, and attend one day of camp to meet the Scholars.
Objectives:Support BOOST project goals to improve the science performance of under-represented minority students, help students ask better science research questions, and ultimately, increase the numbers of URM students prepared for professional education in the advanced sciences. The underlying goal of BOOST is to motivate, prepare, support, and track URM students for careers in STEM professions.
TO APPLY:
Please send a resume/CV via email to:
Douglass Coleman
Program Director
BOOST