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This page created and maintained by Anne M. Murphy. Questions or comments can be emailed to sciout@uwosh.edu. Last updated February, 2000. |
UW
Oshkosh
Scientist-in-Residence
Program
Information
for Teachers
The Scientist-in-Residence Program from the UW Oshkosh Science Outreach office brings teams of college students into your classroom each day. We do a variety of hands-on science activities, read science stories, and enjoy interacting with your students.
This page contains answers to questions we frequently receive from teachers. Additional descriptive information, including available topics, is available on the Science Outreach main page, http://www.uwosh.edu/science_outreach. Please contact sciout@uwosh.edu with additional questions so we can answer them for you and add them to this page.
What is the
purpose of this program?
The
Scientist-in-Residence program is intended to put the spotlight on
science. Many area schools regularly include reading incentive
programs or art appreciation events throughout their curricula. This
is a chance to make science the center of the fun. Regardless of the
subject chosen, our main purpose is to show students that science is
a process of exploration, and that they are capable of doing and
enjoying science.
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
appreciate advance 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, 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
typical assignment, 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 a teaching 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 role models for your students.
This page created and maintained by Anne
M. Murphy. Questions or comments can be emailed to sciout@uwosh.edu.
Last updated February, 2000.
