In a laboratory classroom deep within Northwestern’s Technological Institute, students take turns peering into microscopes, excitedly adjusting knobs and refocusing lenses to bring the cell samples into sharp relief.
But these students aren’t Northwestern undergrads. They are members of Science Club, an afterschool science education program for middle school youth. These Science Club members, visiting from the new Family Focus site in Evanston, are on a field trip at Northwestern.
Next school year, Science in Society will expand its partnerships with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to include Lake View High School, on the north side of Chicago.
This expansion is part of Northwestern University’s broad commitment to developing and supporting high-quality K-12 education in Chicago’s and Evanston’s underserved areas. Read more about the Northwestern University and CPS partnership in this press release.
Dr. Michael Kennedy, director of Science in Society and research professor of neurobiology at Northwestern University, was recently appointed to the Teacher Advisory Council of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The council was established in 2002 to bring the expertise of classroom teachers to the education and outreach work undertaken by the Academies.
Graduate students and post docs (and even faculty and staff) can have the best intentions. We constantly meet motivated scholars looking to give back to the community but they’re not sure where to start.
Sound familiar?
If you’re interested in developing your science communication, teaching, leadership, or mentorship skills, stop by one of our drop-in info sessions to hear about projects with which you can get involved.
Science in Society kicked off its newest initiative, Science Club Summer Camp, July 11 on Northwestern’s Chicago campus. Based on the Science Club model of hands-on, inquiry-led STEM education, Science Club Summer Camp is specifically designed for elementary school teachers uncertain about incorporating science into their classrooms.
Science in Society is currently recruiting a new team member to support and lead the growing K-8 STEM Education community in Evanston.
The District 65/Northwestern University Partnership Coordinator will serve as a liaison between NU and the Curriculum and Instruction Department in Evanston/Skokie School District 65. The Coordinator will develop and foster a network that connects Northwestern talent and resources with teachers and K-8 students in District 65.
Science in Society has embarked on a new adventure: offering in-school programming! We’re partnered with Mather High School in West Rogers Park, Chicago, to support incoming freshman with science and learning skills during the transition to high school. The first cohort of students has named themselves Science Explorers.
Science Club Summer Camp is recruiting CPS teachers! This new, practical approach to teacher professional development helps third-grade teachers incorporate scientific thinking and creative investigations across the curriculum.