When will you be in my class?
Your school will arrange for us to be on site for between three and five days. During that time, we will visit every class each day (unless there are extenuating circumstances such as field trips.)

Because we need to juggle schedules for so many people, it will not always be possible for us to visit during your regular science hour. (For example, all 4th grade classes might have science at 1:30 every day. Our 4th grade team would be able to be in only one of those classes at that time.) In order to make the schedule, we request conflict times such as lunch, recess and specials from your school's contact person. We do not schedule during those times. When possible, we also avoid visiting your class immediately in the morning (especially in kindergarten where students are less comfortable with changes in schedule) or just before dismissal. You will receive a copy of the schedule prior to our arrival so that you know when to expect us.

How long do sessions last?
With the exception of kindergarten, we plan 45 minute sessions. Kindergarten sessions are scheduled for 30 minutes. We respect your need to plan for the day and stay very close to the established schedule!

What do I need to provide for the sessions?
We are as self-contained as possible. (Don't be surprised if we slip into your class several minutes early to start to unpack.) We assume that students have general supplies such as scissors, white and notebook paper, markers, crayons and pencils. We also assume that water and electric outlets will be available. In addition we need one table which can be cleared for our use. We will bring everything else with us unless we contact you in advance.

What do I need to do during the sessions?
Please remain in your classroom and help to maintain order as you would for any other visitor. (Remember, we are there for only a few short visits and do not have the time to get to know each student and his/her behavior patterns.) Occasionally, we might ask you to help with an activity, but nothing that requires advanced
preparation. Some teachers like to participate in all of the activities, others prefer to observe. Either approach is fine with us.

How should I prepare my students?
All our units are self-contained, drawing only on knowledge from previous grades. There is no academic preparation necessary. The purpose of this event is to make science the focus of a fun week, so building excitement as you would for an assembly or reading program is always appreciated.

What about special needs students?
We assume that most classes contain special needs students, and that dynamics are already in place which help to support those students. We do appreciateadvance notice of any situation which will require unique preparation on our part.

What do you teach?
We have a variety of topics (see http://www.uwosh.edu/science_outreach) available for this program. Schools are welcome to choose the same topic for the entire school, or to choose different topics for each grade. Depending on the school, the decision might be made by teachers, the PTO, or the principal.

Regardless of who makes the decision, please note that the Scientist-in-Residence program is not intended to substitute for your regular curriculum. We recommend that you choose topics outside of what you would normally cover, or that you teach the topic we cover after our visit. In just a week or less, we cannot cover an
entire unit, nor is that our purpose. We use the topic only as a guide in selecting activities. Our primary purpose is to demonstrate that science is a process of exploration and that it is accessible and fun.

Who teaches the sessions?
Sessions are taught by Science Outreach teaching assistants. These are college students with majors or minors in science or science education. In a typicalassignment, TAs work in teams of two.

Students are accompanied in the school by either the director of the Outreach Office or a master science teacher. Occasionally this supervisor will be part of ateaching team, but every effort is made to have the teaching done by students. One of the best features of the program is that the teaching assistants are great rolemodels for your students.