Science Ambassadors Handout
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Transcript of Science Ambassadors Handout
10/9/2007
1
Science Ambassadors: an Initiative for Science Outreach for
Aboriginal YouthJulita Vassileva
Computer Science Department,
University of Saskatchewan, Canada
My story• Born and educated in Bulgaria
(PhD in Math and Computer Science)
• Moved to Canada (Saskatoon) in 1997
• Faculty at the UofS since 1999
• My research area: – Designing rewards mechanisms to increase participation in online communities
• Since 2005 – NSERC/ Cameco Chair for Women in Science and Engineering
The NSERC CWSE Program
• Created in 1986 by NSERC– First Chair – Dr. Monique Frize, Biomedical Eng., Univ. of Ottawa/Carleton.
• Extended in 1989 to 5 regional chairs: Atlantic, Ontario, Quebec, Prairies, BC‐Yukon‐NWT
• Previous Prairie Chair: Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, Geomatics, Univ. of Calgary
Women in Science
Hypatia, 400 AD
Ada Lovelace, 1832
Maria SklodowskaCurrie, 1900
Heddy Lamarr, 1947
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• Advance the participation and status of women in science and engineering
• Three main directionsEngaging girls in math and science in school
The mission of the Chair
– Engaging girls in math and science in school
– Retention of women in science / engineering programs
– Career advancement for women in science & eng.
Outreach on the Prairies
• Largest proportion of aboriginal people in Canada
• Aboriginal people comprise the fastest growing segment of population
• Huge talent pool to be tapped into
• Science & Engineering needs different views, perspectives, diversity creativity
Statistics at the UofS
• 11% of enrolled students are of aboriginal ancestry
• 72% of them are female
ll d i i d i• Most are enrolled in nursing, education, arts (native studies)
• Very few in science and engineering
Science Ambassadors
• A Story– Inuit community in Northern Ontario, plagued by youth suicides
– A science camp sponsored by the LieutenantA science camp sponsored by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in the community
– University students spend 2 months in the community
– Following winter there were no youth suicides in the community…
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How the idea came about?
• The NSERC Crystal project meeting in February 2006
B i t i i• Brainstorming session
• Initiated by Lee Wilson and Chary Rangacharyulu,
Science Ambassadors Idea
Graduate students in science / engineering serve as “ambassadors” of SCIENCE in the schools in aboriginal communities for a extended period of time. – In this time, they help the science teacher, in the classroom and out.
– Look for new ways to teach science concepts that relate to the way of life in the community
– Young people; fresh ideas, eyes open for change
Why “Ambassador”?
• Just like an ambassador of a country, a science ambassador represents “university science” in the aboriginal
icommunity
• Relationship
• Mutual respect and recognition, solidarity and cooperation
What does a Science Ambassador do?
• Researches popular science media and presents to students exciting new advancements in science as they fit with the topics of curriculum
• Helps the teacher in finding new ways of demonstrating science phenomena,
• Serves as the “science contact” in the library, consults & helps students
• Can help in building teams for a Science Fair
• Promotes Canadian science and science done at her department
• Infects others with her enthusiasm about science
• Serves as a long‐term “living link” between the youth in the community and the University
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How is this different?
• Building strong, long term relationships with the community, rather than a “one‐day‐i h ” t d t tscience‐show” respect and trust
• Provides inspiration for science, information about possible careers
• Young and enthusiastic, relates better
• The ambassador is a role model herself
Who can be a science ambassador?
• A graduate student in science or engineering
• Ideally in her 2nd or 3rd year of studies, or just completed her degree
• With good communication skills, enthusiasm aboutWith good communication skills, enthusiasm about science outreach and cultural sensitivity
• Willing to visit an aboriginal community for one day each week or to live there for 2 months
Which community?
• Need strong commitment to support the ambassador
• The teacher and the school principal / school board must be on sideboard must be on side
• If for extended period of time (2 months) ‐need to host the student, providing accommodation and food
My role?
• To help initiate a pilot‐test• Find funding / sponsor to support the graduate students – ambassadors (scholarship or honorarium)
• Coordinate the funding search, the search for host communities and students
• Coordinate the evaluation
• If successful, find ways to scale it up and make it sustainable
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Current state• An ambassador in Muscoday and Beardy’s
– Dawn Pratt is a M.Sc. Student in Chemistry, under the supervision of Dr. Lee Wilson, Chemistry and Dr. Janusz Kozinski, College of Engineering
– GTF incl. travel funding from the College of Engineering , laptop from my budget
– Visit the school in each community one day every 2nd week
• Placement for another ambassador is found:– The University College of the North in the Pass, Manitoba
– Funding for honorarium in place (from my budget)
– Graduate student (Engineering Physics, under the supervision of Dr. Chary Ranangachulu)
– Will spend 2 months in the community in April‐May 2008
Evaluating the success?
• Qualitative:– Interviews / questionnaires with students, teachers, parents and the ambassador to find out if there is increase of interest / participation of / p pstudents in science and math classes.
• Quantitative:– Improvement in the grades in math/sci
Future
• We will be looking for:– Sustainable form of funding for the program
– New communities for placement
– Graduate students to be ambassadors
– Ways to manage and coordinate the program when it scales up
• More about the Science Ambassadors: – at the Panel today at 1:45 pm, Temple room
http://wise.usask.ca