OUTREACH PROGRAM

The GSBS Outreach Program is a volunteer driven community service to promote science and science education in the community. Volunteer graduate students and faculty participate in a number of activities and projects in response to requests from the community. The goals are to provide a service to the community, encourage and improve student interest and performance in science, support teachers and educational programs in science, provide GSBS students with an opportunity to serve the community, and create a visibility of GSBS in the community.

Activities at Elementary Schools

Outreach Program volunteers have "adopted" two inner city elementary schools that serve disadvantaged communities. Teams of graduate students make a visit each semester to work with the students and teachers on topics from their science curriculum. Some of the activities provided by our volunteers for these two schools include demonstrations of scientific principles, "hands-on" experiments related to curriculum topics, teacher training in science, advice for science projects, and tours of research labs for selected students.

Other Community Projects

• judges for science fairs (school, district, and
  regional fairs)
• speakers for classes and science clubs
• instructors for teacher in-service programs
• consultants for science fair projects
• hosts for laboratory tours
• booths for career day events
• assistance for the development of programs for school districts and museums
• supplies for science labs

Meghan Minard and Joanna Koch receive the requisite t-shirts for their hard work coordinating the graduate student volunteer efforts in the School's Outreach program at Brookline Elementary and several science fair contests. Thank you to Meghan and Joanna and all the 20+ students who give of their time to assist the Graduate School and provide lively educational interactions with the community.

Tom Goka, GSBS Assistant Dean for Outreach and Minority Affairs, and alumnus, spoke at the N.A.S.A. Jr. Scientist Conference at The University of Texas Pan American about becoming scientists and self-learners.

Assistant Dean for Outreach

The office of the Assistant Dean for Outreach coordinates the projects of the Outreach Program. Requests made by the community are matched with the expertise and interests of GSBS volunteers.
For more information about the Outreach Program contact Dr. Tom Goka.