The teachers then followed up on some of those activities in their classrooms with the help of undergraduates who had worked with their classes at the college. This involved the cooperation and planning of one college faculty member, several teachers, and three to five undergraduates. The goal of these after-school science clubs is to enhance the positive experiences that middle school students have with science. In addition to having experiences that help them build confidence in their math and science skills, students are exposed to role models who may encourage them to think of becoming scientists themselves. Undergraduates who run science club activities can provide good role models for middle school students.
Undergraduates benefit as well.
Because they are responsible for designing and implementing specific science activities, they gain an appreciation for how much science they know by testing their capabilities. Undergraduates are required to apply what they know in order to answer students' questions. If undergraduates are mentored by a faculty member, they can gain valuable training to improve their teaching skills. They might also get academic credit for these activities. Undergraduates also know that they have a positive influence on the middle school students.