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Program
Information
Mission
Statement:
ExperiMentors,
a service organization comprised of Harvard students, engages
volunteers and Cambridge elementary school children in sharing
enthusiasm for science. Harvard students gain firsthand experience
in teaching and enrich the science education of Cambridge
school students. Children develop a greater curiosity for
the natural and physical world and form positive relationships
with their student teachers. ExperiMentors is affiliated with
Phillips Brooks
House Association, Inc., the Department
of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Cambridge
School Volunteers, Inc.
Background
Information:
ExperiMentors
was founded in 1993 by Harvard undergraduates who wanted to
bring hands-on science to Cambridge classrooms. In ten years
the program has grown to over fifty members who teach at twelve
elementary schools throughout Cambridge in grades kindergarten
through sixth. The program services over 500 Cambridge students
each year.
Volunteers:
ExperiMentors
volunteers are Harvard students, interested in science and
education, who wish to gain first-hand experience planning
lessons and working in a classroom setting. Each week, volunteer
pairs teach hands-on lessons to students to arouse curiosity
and promote critical thinking. In order to be a member of
ExperiMentors, interested Harvard students are required to
fill out an application and interview with program leaders.
Volunteers use program resources to learn how to create lesson
plans with their partner. In addition, they also learn effective
ways to teach science science and to motivate and excite students.
Steering
Committee:
A
group of four to six Harvard students with experience in teaching
science steer the program. This group, or Steering Committee,
is responsible for running ExperiMentors. Each member is assigned
a specific position. The current Steering Committee is:
Some
Program Goals:
To
provide an opportunity for Harvard undergraduates who are
interested in science and education to gain firsthand experience
planning lessons and working in a classroom environment;To
enrich the existing public school science curriculum through
the exploration of science topics using hands-on activities;To
introduce problem-solving skills, cooperative learning,
the scientific method, and critical thinking to elementary
school children;To
make science exciting and appealing to elementary school
students, particularly those who otherwise might not consider
pursuing science in their education; To
encourage all children to appreciate the role science and
technology in society.
Funding:
ExperiMentors
receives its funding from several grants including the President
Public Service Fund (PPSF), Harvard Undergraduate Council,
the Massachusetts Campus Compact (MACC) grant for a special
event, and the COOP public service fund.
Please
feel free to email us at xmentors@hcs.harvard.edu
with questions and/or comments.
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