Skype a Scientist
Skype a scientist gives you the opportunity to connect with students around the world without having to leave your lab!
Once matched with a k-12 class, scientists will video chat into the classroom for a 30-60 minute session (you don’t have to use skype). The format is Q and A style so that the kids feel they’ve had direct contact with scientists. The program wants to put a friendly face to science and lower the intimidation factor that surrounds science for some students. There are many lectures available on youtube by scientists, so don’t feel like you have to prepare a lecture, just have a conversation!
They recommend that you give your teacher an overview of what you do. It’s super helpful if you have something the teacher can share with his/her students, e.g. youtube videos, a ted talk, or blog posts related to your work. If you don’t have any of those things, just an overview of your work is okay too! Students will prepare questions ahead of time so that they’re ready with conversation starters when they you call in.
One of the awesome things about this program is that they can reach classrooms anywhere, especially areas of the country (and the world) where kids wouldn’t necessarily have access to science museums or naturally run into scientists in their every day life. You can sign up for as many or few classrooms as you think you’ll have time for this semester.
Sign up to participate and to learn more about this prgram.
