Community in the Classroom

Scientist Volunteer Training


How Training Works

After a initial phone or email conversation, all volunteers attend a two hour group orientation. These are scheduled on a regular basis throughout the school year; pick the date that works best for you.

Once volunteers have a general sense of the science topics that interest them, an individual training is scheduled. These usually last between 45 minutes to 1 hour and are scheduled at your convenience.

After the individual meeting, volunteers spend their own time refining the classroom presentation of their choice. The time required depends on the complexity of the topic you've chosen, but generally isn't more than a few hours.

At any time throughout this process, the CIC coordinator is available to answer questions, research activities or science background, or offer presentation suggestions. We want all our volunteers to feel enthusiastic, comfortable, and well-prepared before they enter the classroom!

What Training Covers

The initial group orientation offers an overview of Community Resources for Science and the Community in the Classroom program. You'll learn more about the process of choosing and developing an elementary classroom presentation, discuss the importance of science role models for kids, and brainstorm on topics that catch your eye. You'll also have an opportunity to meet other science professionals from the local community and dip into CRS' library of science books and activity binders. All volunteers receive a training packet containing brainstorming worksheets and outlines, helpful hints for working with kids, and a copy of the California elementary science standards.

At the individual training, you'll have the chance to work one-on-one with CRS staff to develop your initial ideas into a fun, interactive presentation. This meeting covers whatever YOU need most: further topic brainstorming, research assistance, planning help, or tips on how to make your language grade-level appropriate. We offer as much or as little support as you need!

Additional Assistance

At any time throughout the training process, we're available to answer questions, research activities or science background, or offer presentation suggestions. If you'd like to "demo" your presentation to some of our staff before you visit the classroom, we're happy to pretend we're 3rd graders and offer our feedback! We want all our volunteers to feel enthusiastic, comfortable, and well-prepared before they enter the classroom!

Many presentations require the purchase of simple materials to be used during the hands-on activity. We're happy to purchase these for you or to reimburse you for the supplies you need.

Current Training Dates

Our upcoming group orientations will be held on the following dates:

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 from 5-7 pm
Additional dates to follow.

To register, fill out our online signup form or contact us by phone or email. Be sure to check out the volunteer or teacher sections of this website for additional program details! If you'd like more information, please contact Cecille Harris at Community Resources for Science; we look forward to speaking with you!

phone: (510) 527-5212
email: community@crscience.org

 

 

CIC training guarantees positive remarks!

Children from Cragmont Elementary in Berkeley responded to Peter Pauzanshie's presentation of "Liquids, Gases, Solids and Goo." "It was cool when you put the flower into the liquid nitrogen. But the goo was the coolest. I am going to make it at my house. When I grow up, maybe I want to be a scientist. It would be cool."
View more CIC photos