the labrats science education confederation an e pluribus unum approach to science education shawn...

The Labrats Science Education

Confederation

An E Pluribus Unum approach to science

education

Shawn Carlson, Ph.DExecutive DirectorSciTech Hands On Museum

Formal Education Resources

Great teachers

Informal Education Resources

• Parents: 95% willing to do more to help their children learn science, but they don’t know how.


• Parents• Professional and “citizen” scientists: Many would love to give back to the next generation, but there is no easy for most of them to do it.

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• Parents• Professional and “citizen” scientists

• Retired scientists and engineers: Would love to be mentors, but there is no easy way for enough of them to get involved.



Bob Jackson, retired geologist



• Retired scientists and engineers

• Science and Technology Centers






• Science and Technology Centers

• Community centers






• Science and Technology centers

• Community centers• Business leaders






• Science and Technology centers

• Community centers• Business leaders• Philanthropists




• Parents• Professional and

“citizen” scientists• Retired scientists and

engineers• Science and Technology

centers• Community centers• Business leaders• Philanthropists• “Citizen Science”

programs, like FIRST. There are scores of great science education and research programs.

Our Challenge











Core Program

Schools

OngoingResearch Projects(NASA, CLO etc.)

Community Support

Competitionsand Other Programs

Core Program Must…

Be national in scope Target teenagers and keep them involved Rely on parents and community volunteers for instruction

Meet the needs of America’s diverse communities, especially in the urban areas and inner cities.

Meet the needs of young women as well as young men

Collaborate effortlessly with all worthy science and engineering programs

Provide year-around instruction Prepare young people to do great things!

Model Program?

Scouting Organizations

National scope Reaches teenagers by building strong communities of like-minded kids.

130 million scouts

Prepares members to be great citizens

Age Range: Grades 6 - 12

Structure: • Weekly evening meetings run by parents and youth leaders• Merit-based advancement• Strong ethical code• Leadership training• Comprehensive hands-on science program supported by mentors

Empowerment: Every student learns to make original discoveries.

Precepts: Fun, fellowship and fantastic experiences with science

Learning Follows Interest

• Four-year core curriculum that covers every major field of science

• Elective program -- merit badges

• Merit badges provide the interface between Labrats and all other educational programs

Program Infrastructure

National OfficeSciTech Museum

Regional Center

Nat Hist. MuseumRegional Center

AquariumRegional Center

Science Center

Community Center

Boys and Girls Club

Adult leadersCommunity mentorsSenior youth leaders

GroupYouth leaders Group Group

Community service and research collaborations

Local, regional, and national competitions

Synergy Synergy

Labrats Mentors Inspire Excellence

A Labrats Mentor introduces young people from his community to astronomy.

Prima Rat: Lisa Glukhovsky received mentoring from Labrats Mentors and took First Place at the Junior Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, winning more than $75,000 in scholarships.

Labrats Motto: Do the experiment!

Labrats Slogan: Data over dogma!

Labrats Credo:• Be fair, kind and just• Respect yourself and others• Never cheat or tolerate those who do• Think like a scientist• Always do the smart thing• Always follow through• Work towards a higher purpose

First Pilot Program Completed

Results…•100% retention after 5 months.

•The kids loved it! Average rating 9.5

•Eleven of 14 families volunteered to help run the program

•The Atom Smashers (the all-girl Group) kicked tail!



Last year we completed a 5-month pilot study

with 14 real kids (4 girls and 10 boys)

that tested most of the main elements.

But are teenagers interested?

You bet! Survey results from Boys and Girls Club kids. The vast majority liked the Labrats concept and would consider joining.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Definitely Probably Maybe Probablynot

Definitelynot

Want to be able to make own discoveries

n=11037%

19%

29%

6%9%

Would consider joining n=108

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Definitely Probably Maybe Probablynot

Definitelynot

20%

31%27%

15%

7%

Labrats Online:19,000 MembersPhase 2 pilot study beginsSeptember, 2007Over $600,000 raised to dateNational Launch planned for Summer, 2009

Do the experiment!

www.labrats.org

“Prime Responsibilities”

Gen. Lance W. LordFormer Commander, Air ForceSpace Command

“One of our prime responsibilities has to be educating and motivating future leaders and inspiring them to pursue careers in science and engineering.”

National Security at Risk?

“Expanding students’ interest in math, science and engineering is critical to our national security. […] Hopefully, [the SMART] initiative will be followed by a major reallocation of federal resources, […]. Our security depends on it.”

Senator John Warner, Va

To realize her dreamsMichelle needs a communityOf supporters.• Adults who encourage her• Friends who celebrate her achievements in math and science• Opportunities to get her hands-on science• A mentor who can provide mature guidance• A strong moral compass

the labrats science education confederation an e pluribus unum approach to science education shawn...

Documents

science slide

citizen scientists

museum slide

great science education

engineers science

challenge slide

retired geologist slide

worthy science