Elementary Volunteer Info

IN-CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers serve as mentors in 2^nd- through 6^th-grade classrooms. In this role, mentors work with a small group of three to six elementary students, guiding them through the scientific process. This includes helping students design their experiment, carry out their investigation, analyze their results, and present their findings to the class. Rather than providing answers, mentors are encouraged to guide students by asking thoughtful questions that help them develop their own understanding. A SciTrek staff member is always present in the classroom to provide guidance and support for both mentors and students. This experience allows mentors to strengthen their communication, leadership, and teaching skills. Spanish-speaking mentors are especially appreciated due to the large number of multilingual learners in the local schools.

Modules meet two to three days per week (either Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday) for two to four weeks. Transportation is provided to and from UCSB (departing from outside CHEM 1204) to the local schools. Because mentors work with the same group of students throughout an entire module, it is important that they attend every session (typically 6-8 days per module).

Before each module begins, mentors attend a module-specific orientation where they become familiar with the instructional materials, learn pedagogical strategies for working with elementary students, and meet the other mentors and the classroom teacher. Online orientations are also available when needed.

Module schedules are posted on the Elementary Schedules page. If you find a module you would like to volunteer for, email scitrekelementary@chem.ucsb.edu with the module name, school, and teacher, and the Elementary Coordinator will help you get signed up.

If you are not participating in SciTrek as part of a class, the time you spend in the classroom and attending orientations may be counted as community service hours. Please note that transportation time does not count toward community service hours.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES VOLUNTEERS

Join us any weekday afternoon from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in CHEM 1009 to help prepare materials for upcoming SciTrek modules. We have a variety of tasks that need to be completed to get experiments ready for elementary students, and we'd love to have you join us!

Behind-the-Scenes volunteering is a great way to earn community service hours or make up missed Module or Orientation days for SciTrek-associated courses. If you have any questions, please email scitrekelementary@chem.ucsb.edu.

EARNING CREDIT FOR SCITREK

CHEM 94: SciTrek - Syllabus

CHEM 94 is a one-unit, pass/no pass course, similar to a freshman seminar (INT course), that allows students to earn academic credit for participating in the SciTrek program.

Requirements

Complete one Elementary SciTrek Module (or the equivalent in the Secondary Program) during the quarter.
Module dates and times are posted on the Elementary Schedules page.
Enroll in CHEM 94 through GOLD. After registering, you will receive an email from scitrekelementary@chem.ucsb.edu asking you to indicate which module you plan to complete.

Grading Policy

If you miss more than one day (Orientation and Module days both count), you will receive a No Pass.

Missed Module Day: Complete 1.5 hours of Behind-the-Scenes work within one week of the missed day.
Missed Orientation: You must:
- Complete the online orientation on Canvas BEFORE attending your first module session (you will not be allowed to participate until it is completed); AND
- Complete 1 hour of Behind-the-Scenes work within one week of the scheduled orientation.

Offered: Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarter

CHEM 194: Teaching, Mentoring, or Research in K-12 STEM Education - Syllabus

CHEM 194 is a one-unit, pass/no pass course that provides academic credit for advanced participation in the SciTrek program.

Requirements (Elementary Program) - For information about earning CHEM 194 units through the Secondary SciTrek Program, email them directly

Complete two Elementary SciTrek Modules during the quarter.
Module dates and times are posted on the Elementary Schedules page.
Complete 5 hours of Behind-the-Scenes work preparing module materials.
- Behind-the-Scenes hours may be completed any weekday from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in CHEM 1009 and must be completed before Dead Week.
To enroll, email scitrekelementary@chem.ucsb.edu with the module name, school, and teacher for the two modules you plan to mentor. The Elementary Coordinator will provide you with an add code.
- When registering in GOLD, select Darby Feldwinn as the instructor.
- Add codes will not be issued after the UCSB add deadline (typically the third week of the quarter).

Grading Policy

If you miss more than two days (modules and orientation days combined), you will receive a No Pass.

Missed Module Day: Complete 1.5 hours of Behind-the-Scenes work within one week of the missed day.
Missed Orientation: You must:
- Complete the Online Orientation on Canvas BEFORE attending your first module session (you will not be allowed to participate until it is completed) AND
- Complete 1 hour of Behind-the-Scenes work within one week of the scheduled orientation.
- If failing to completing the online orientation causes a missed module day, that day will count towards your total absences and must be made up.

Offered: Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarter

OTHER COURSES ASSOCIATED WITH SCITREK

CHEM 102: Teaching Chemistry at the Secondary Level

In this course, students design a chemistry unit for a junior high or high school chemistry topic. Students also complete one SciTrek Module and spend 15 hours working in a local secondary chemistry classroom.

Offered: Fall Quarter

ED 129: Teaching Science at the Elementary Level

In this course, students participate in science activities designed for elementary students and reflect on the learning goals and how the activities align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Students also complete two SciTrek Elementary Modules.

Offered: Winter Quarter

RECEIVING PRE-PROFESSIONAL HOURS

Students enrolled in CHEM 94, CHEM 102, CHEM 194, or ED 129, or anyone seeking pre-professional hours, must complete a Field Placement Hours Verification Form to document their participation. Some courses also require students to record their hours on the CalTeach Google Sheet.

For time reporting:

Orientation: Log 1.5 hours
Each Module Day: Log 1 hour

Each day should be recorded as a separate entry.

If you have questions about which forms to complete or need access to the required forms, please email scitrekelementary@chem.ucsb.edu.

CHEMISTRY/TEP JOINT GRADUATE PROGRAM

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers a joint two-year program with the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education. During the first year, students earn an M.A. in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Chemical Education while participating in the SciTrek program and conducting education research. During the second year, students complete a Single Subject Teaching Credential. Students may also choose to earn a Master of Education (M.Ed.) during the second year.

For more information, please see the Chemistry/TEP Joint Graduate Degree Program page.