Exploring iSTEM
What is iSTEM?
History:
The University of Arizona- Southwest Institute for Research on Women (UA-SIROW) has collaborated with the StrengthBuilding Partners (SBP) Mentoring Program to bring the iSTEM Project to Lawrence Intermediate School and other local schools. iSTEM’s three year program (2012-2015) worked with the SBP Mentoring Program which matches mentors and mentees in grades 3 through 8. Together the mentors and mentees learned about various science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics during in-school lunchtime activities and during field trips offered on selected Saturdays. The overarching goal of the iSTEM project has been (and continues to be) to get students excited about science-related topics and encourage them to continue to engage in science education through junior high and high school and perhaps college. Importantly, iSTEM introduces students to science-related jobs that may be available to them if they focus on science education.
Update:
Now in its fourth year (2015-2016), the iSTEM project is facilitated only at Lawrence Intermediate School but still includes 3rd through 8th grade students. The iSTEM project continues to provide science-related activities during the in-school lunchtime sessions as well as during field trips on selected Saturdays. This year, students may participate in iSTEM as a separate enhancement program from the SBP Mentoring Program. Instead of assigned mentors, iSTEM has three UA-SIROW staff “guides” who work with students on the science-related activities at lunchtime and during the field trips. SBP Mentoring Program mentors and mentees are welcome to participate in the iSTEM project and are encouraged to join the staff “guides” for the in-school and field trip activities. With this new model of having staff “guides”, the iSTEM project hopes to be able to enroll many more students!
The iSTEM project is funded by the National Science Foundation. For more information please contact Rosi Andrade (626-5908) or Rachel Gomez (621-9541).
History:
The University of Arizona- Southwest Institute for Research on Women (UA-SIROW) has collaborated with the StrengthBuilding Partners (SBP) Mentoring Program to bring the iSTEM Project to Lawrence Intermediate School and other local schools. iSTEM’s three year program (2012-2015) worked with the SBP Mentoring Program which matches mentors and mentees in grades 3 through 8. Together the mentors and mentees learned about various science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics during in-school lunchtime activities and during field trips offered on selected Saturdays. The overarching goal of the iSTEM project has been (and continues to be) to get students excited about science-related topics and encourage them to continue to engage in science education through junior high and high school and perhaps college. Importantly, iSTEM introduces students to science-related jobs that may be available to them if they focus on science education.
Update:
Now in its fourth year (2015-2016), the iSTEM project is facilitated only at Lawrence Intermediate School but still includes 3rd through 8th grade students. The iSTEM project continues to provide science-related activities during the in-school lunchtime sessions as well as during field trips on selected Saturdays. This year, students may participate in iSTEM as a separate enhancement program from the SBP Mentoring Program. Instead of assigned mentors, iSTEM has three UA-SIROW staff “guides” who work with students on the science-related activities at lunchtime and during the field trips. SBP Mentoring Program mentors and mentees are welcome to participate in the iSTEM project and are encouraged to join the staff “guides” for the in-school and field trip activities. With this new model of having staff “guides”, the iSTEM project hopes to be able to enroll many more students!
The iSTEM project is funded by the National Science Foundation. For more information please contact Rosi Andrade (626-5908) or Rachel Gomez (621-9541).