Pilot study of STEM summer programming

Using PEAR Common Instrument & Dimensions of Success Program Observation Tools

Program: Pilot study of STEM-related summer programming available to middle schoolers in Boston, Northeast, MetroWest, and Central Regional STEM Network areas
Due date: Friday, May 24, by 4:00 P.M.
Applying: Download the application here. Applications should be submitted to each program's local regional STEM network; for programs in Boston, Lynne Powers is the contact.

You’re invited to participate! The Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership (MAP) has partnered with the Program in Education, Afterschool, and Resiliency (PEAR, a joint venture between Harvard University and McLean Hospital), the Boston Private Industry Council, and the Boston, Central, MetroWest, and Northeast Regional STEM networks to administer the study. This pilot study will provide valuable detailed information on students’ interest in STEM subjects and on the range of summer programming available to them.

Eligibility: Any community- or school-based program that provides STEM summer programming to middle school youth (rising 5th through 9th graders) is eligible to apply. Programs or partners must serve at least 20 youth for a minimum of 4 hours per week, over the course of 4 weeks or more. Programs that are shorter in length (1-2 weeks) but offer more STEM-intensive experiences are also encouraged to apply.

Benefits:

• Free two-day training for one staff member to become adept in the use of the PEAR evaluation tools
• Access to individual program results that will help organizations better understand the impact of their programs on youth interest in STEM
• Stipend of $1000, awarded upon successful implementation of all required aspects of the pilot study (see below)
• Long-term access to the PEAR tools, allowing programs to self-sustainably continue their use after the pilot program ends

Requirements:

• Send one staff member to the PEAR two-day training, June 5 & 6
• Administer the Common Instrument survey to youth twice: once within the first sessions of the summer program, and once at the conclusion of the program
• Participate in two observations utilizing the PEAR Dimensions of Success evaluation tool
• Enter data from Common Instrument & Dimensions of Success tools into PEAR database
• Participate in Fall 2013 learning forum on pilot study’s results

2013 Massachusetts High School Science & Engineering Fair

2013 Massachusetts State High School Fair: May 2-4 @ MIT

The Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF) is an experience that lasts a lifetime. Through a science fair program at your school, you can follow your natural curiosity about the world and explore "real world" science and engineering problems that really interest you! Want to make a difference in the world? You can! Students work individually or as a team to investigate everything from discovering what’s in your sports drink to green energy solutions to cancer research.

Patent Awards: You can compete for the "Fish & Richardson Patent Award" that provides for legal expenses to patent your design. Past winners have invented ingenuous ways to help improve the quality of life and condition of the planet.

Building Essential Career & Life Skills: The Science Fair process also builds essential skills for success in 21st century careers, such as critical and creative thinking, communication, teamwork and ethical decision-making.

2013 Massachusetts State Middle School Science & Engineering Fair

2013 Massachusetts Middle School Fair: June 1 @ Worcester Technical High School

The Massachusetts Middle School Science & Engineering Fair is a forum for students in grades 6-8 to explore "real world" science and engineering discovery through hands-on experience. Students also learn about the many exciting and emerging fields of science and technology today, building important life skills-- from reading, writing and math to communications, teamwork and design. It's fun, exciting, and a pathway to a great career!

The first statewide competitive Fair was held in 1999, and since that time, participation has been on the rise. Approximately 300 students now participate in individual and team projects.

Cabot Corporation, the Boston based global specialty chemicals company, is the official sponsor of the statewide middle school fair. Worcester Technical High School, One Skyline Drive, is the official host site of the Statewide Middle School Science & Engineering Fair, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester provides administrative facilities and services.

Watch the Middle School vimeo

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