Funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute as part of a four-year grant to Vassar College, this program is targets Poughkeepsie area schools and especially the Poughkeepsie City School District. Select science and math students from Vassar College are placed in science classes of Poughkeepsie area schools, to work for course credit as science education interns over a semester. Placement of interns may be at the secondary or elementary level. Interns also participate in a weekly seminar on science education at Vassar College. Mentoring teachers are responsible for helping interns to develop teaching skills and set priorities on project and resource development, and for evaluating performance.
Educational projects developed by interns have the highest funding priority.
Remaining funds may be used to purchase laboratory supplies, instruments, or other appropriate resources for engaging students in scientific endeavor. All supplies and equipment purchased remain with sponsoring schools. The laboratory exercises developed by the interns will be incorporated into a program web-site to provide a permanent resource for science educators. To Participate Teachers wishing to participate in this program should email a brief statement to the outreach coordinator outlining how they might utilize this program to strengthen science education in their classes and how they might engage their intern in the classroom.