IN-CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers serve as mentors in 2nd through 6th grade classroom. In this roll, mentors work with a small group of three to six elementary students and help guide the students through the experimental process including designing their experiment, carrying out their experiment, and presenting their findings to the class. Mentors are encourages to guide students through by using guiding questions. There is always a SciTrek staff member in the class to provide guidance and assistance to mentors. This opportunity allow mentors to build their communication skills. Spanish speaking volunteers are greatly appreciated due to the high number of multi langue learners in the area.
The modules are scheduled for two to three days per week (M/W/F or T/Th schedules) for a duration of two to four weeks at a time (transportation to and from UCSB [outside CHEM 1204] to the local school is provided). Since mentors work with one group of students through an entire module it is important for them to be able to attend every day (between 6 and 8 days per module) of the module. Prior to the start of the module, there is a module specific orientation that allows mentors to work with module materials, gain pedagogical tips on how to work with elementary students, as well meet other mentors and the classroom teacher. Online orientations are available, if needed.
Module schedules are posted on the Elementary Schedules page. If you find module you would like to volunteer for email: scitrekelementary@chem.ucsb.edu with the module you are interested in and the elementary coordinator will help get you signed up. If you are not doing SciTrek as part of a class, then hours spent in the classroom or at orientations can be used as community service hours. (Transportation time does not count as community service hours.)
BEHIND THE SCENES VOLUNTEERS
Join us any weekday afternoon from 3-5 pm in CHEM 1009 to help us prepare module materials. We have many jobs that must be completed to get experiments ready for elementary students and we'd love to have you join us! This is a great way to get community service hours, or to make up missed Module or Orientation days for SciTrek associated courses. If you have any questions email: scitrekelementary@chem.ucsb.edu.
EARNING CREDIT FOR SCITREK
CHEM 94 SciTrek: is a pass/no pass class, similar to freshman seminar INT course, that offers one unit of credit for working with the SciTrek program.
Requirements
- Complete 1 Elementary SciTrek Module (or equivalent with the Secondary SciTrek Program) during the quarter
- Dates and times can be found on the Elementary Schedules page
To enroll in the class, register for it on GOLD. You will then receive an e-mail from scitrekelementary@chem.ucsb.edu asking you to specify which Module you will sign up for.
Grade Note: If you miss more than one day (Orientation and Module days both count), you will get a no pass. For a missed Module day, you will need to complete 1.5 hours of Behind The Scenes work within one week of the missed day. If you miss the Orientation, you MUST complete the Online Orientation on Canvas BEFORE the start of the Module, (you will not be allowed to go to the Module until you have completed the Online Orientation) AND you must complete 1 hour of Behind The Scenes work (see above) within 1 week of the Orientation Date.
CHEM 194 Teaching, Mentoring, or Research in K-12 Stem Education: is a pass/no pass class that offers one unit of credit for working with the SciTrek program.
Requirements for earning CHEM 194 units with the Elementary Program:
(For details on how to earn CHEM 194 units with the Secondary SciTrek Program email: .)
- Complete 2 Elementary SciTrek Modules during the quarter
- Dates and times can be found on the Elementary Schedules page
- Complete 5 hours of Behind The Scenes work, helping prepare Module materials, (see above).
- Behind The Scenes work can be done any weekday between 3-5 pm in CHEM 1009. These hours must be completed before the end of dead week.
To enroll in the class, e-mail either scitrekelementary@chem.ucsb.edu and include the Module Topic, School, and Teacher for the 2 Modules that you plan to serve as a mentor for and the elementary coordinator will send you an Add Code. When registering for the course on GOLD, you will also need to select the Instructor for the Elementary SciTrek Program: Darby Feldwinn. Add Codes will not be given out after the UCSB add deadline, typically the third week of the quarter.
Grade Note: If you miss more than two days (of Modules or Orientations), you will get a no pass. For each missed Module day, you will need to complete 1.5 hours of Behind The Scenes work within one week of the missed day. If you missed the Orientation, you MUST complete the Online Orientation on Canvas BEFORE the start of the Module AND complete 1 hour of Behind The Scenes work. You will not be allowed to go to the Module until you complete the Online Orientation. Missing a day due to not completing an Orientation will count towards your missed days and will need to be made up.
OTHER CLASSES ASSOCIATED WITH SCITREK
CHEM 102 Teaching Chemistry at the Secondary Level: In this class students design a chemistry unit for either a junior high and high school chemistry topic. In addition, students complete one SciTrek Module and spend 15 hours in a local chemistry class. This class is offered the Fall quarter of each year.
ED 129 Teaching Science at the Elementary Level: In this class students will carryout science activities intended for elementary students and then reflect on the activity to determine what the learning goals of the activity are and how the activity exemplifies the Next Generation Science Standards. In addition, students complete two SciTrek Modules. This class is offered in the Winter quarter of each year
RECEIVING PRE-PROFESSIONAL HOURS FOR SCITREK
If you are taking CHEM 102, ED 129, CHEM 194 (as part of the minor in science and math education), or want pre professional hours, then you will need to complete a Field Placement Hours Verification Form to log your hours. In addition, some classes require you to log your hours on the CalTeach Google Sheet as well. For Orientations, log 1.5 hours and for each day of the Module, log 1 hour. Each day should be logged separately. If you have questions on which form you need to fill out, or to get access to the forms then email scitrekelementary@chem.ucsb.edu.
CHEMISTRY/TEP JOINT GRADUATE PROGRAM
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers a joint two-year program with the Gervitz Graduate School of Education. Students spend their first year working on an MA in Chemistry while simultaneously running modules and doing research on the SciTrek Program. Year two is spent working on a Single Subject Credential in Chemistry. For more information, please see Chemistry/TEP Joint Graduate Degree Program.