The society for science has done far more for science teachers and science programs around the country than any other non-profit I know. They administer science research competitions (STS, ISEF) for high school students, which are motivating students. These high school students are often working at college and graduate levels, producing excellent quality papers. They are providing students and teachers with incredibly useful resources, such as Science News, a magazine designed specifically for middle/high school students and their teachers. They are providing workshops and training sessions for teachers, and grants to help school districts develop their science programs. I cannot say enough how valuable the Society for Science and the Public is for science education in this country.
Year ago I met book of J. Ellenberg "How Not to Be Wrong. The Power of Mathematical Thinking" (New York Times Bestseller).
IMHO, Research Teachers Conference in DC had the same power of a bestseller "How Not to Be Wrong in Doing Research and Science Process with Students". I was really surprised, how many various powerful ways this conference had shown. Congratulations to organizers.
After comeback, I am immediately applying new knowledge from the conference, for example better concentration on gritty students, use of padlets in improving creativity, use of Science News samples which we obtained in teaching (e.g. based on the paper about oldest fossils, October 1, p. 7, we provide scans of fossils to study their geometry), better literature searches, more efficient research programs etc.
My experience is one for the ages! I had never heard of the Science Talent Search (STS) until an email from them arrived in the summer of 2015. The email said I could be part of a random drawing to attend a conference in the fall to learn about the program. I was fortunate enough to be chosen when someone else declined. After attending the conference I went back and told one of my students to apply. On the day of submission she told me that she was not going to submit because she thought they would laugh at her work. She ultimately submitted and went on to win a first place "Global Good" award and 150000$! My student was a girl from a humble upbringing in Bangor Maine who never dreamed something like this could happen. The STS program gives students from across this great country the opportunity to have experiences like my student had. I am forever grateful to them for what they have done and will do for countless others!
This experience was much more than I expected. I met and exchanged ideas with many wonderful teachers from around the country. I plan to continually collaborate with these teachers in order to keep improving my teaching strategies. I learned many things, received information and ways to contact possible resources that can improve my educational mission within the science research field with my students. I hope to be able to repeat this experience in the future. This type of activity is highly recommended and a necessity in order to to promote excellence within the science research field. The Society for Science & the Public is doing a great job in helping teachers reach their goals!!!
I was selected as the Broadcom MASTERS International Delegate for the United Kingdom in 2015 and SSP and the Broadcom Foundation gave me one of the most memorable experiences of my life. They looked after us extremely well all week, planned very interesting and fun activities and gave us an amazing opportunity to meet other like minded students from around the world and learn from each other. They planned visits such as Disney Animation Studios, Carneigie Mellon University and more. It was a week that I won't be forgetting anytime soon.
I was selected as one of the Broadcom MASTERS 2015 and it was an amazing experience. The SSP paid for us to come to California and encouraged us to learn about the different fields of science with different activities and events. We got to tour the Tesla Factory, NASA Ames Facility, and Lucasfilm. The SSP made the Science Fair feel more like a fun break from school as well as making it educational for us participants. The SSP is an amazing organization and it makes students want to study science while having fun.
It was an amazing experience to have been selected as a Finalist in 2015. I got to network with 29 of the greatest minds in America aged 12-14, and learn so many new things about science! Silicon Valley is a place of much inspiration to a science lover like me, and getting to go to Tesla, NASA Ames, and Google HQ was only a great bonus.
My son was a Broadcom MASTERS finalist in 2013. It is an incredible program and provided so many amazing experiences. My son has such fond memories of his week in Washingon DC and will never forget the people he met there. This experience has opened so many doors for him. It was truly an opportunity of a lifetime. Many thanks to Broadcom and the Society for Science & the Public!
Being selected as a Broadcom MASTERS finalist was truly an amazing experience. We were treated exceptionally well, learned a bunch of science, and met each other and lots of other cool people (Barack Obama anyone?).
As an educator and parent of an INTEL ISEF Alumnus I can't begin to say enough about the opportunities that Society for Science & the Public provide for students. The interaction that goes on between young people from all over the world combined with the support they receive from some of the best scientists and business people from across the globe is unparalleled. To let kids know that it is okay to be smart and excel is so important in today's world! Perhaps by encouraging students from all over our world to get to know one another (as SSP does) we will begin to alleviate some of the hatred and misunderstanding that is perpetuated by ignorance.
I was a participant in ISEF, a science competition that SSP runs, and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The community of like-minded high schoolers from around the world makes one appreciate the incredible accomplishments of one's peers. Also, at ISEF, I had the chance to enjoy experiences such as hearing Nobel prizewinners speak, and I will remember those experiences for a long time. SSP's impact extends beyond ISEF, as the affiliate fairs of SSP motivate many high schoolers to participate in science. I think that SSP is an amazing nonprofit because of all that it provides to high school students interested in science.
SSP is amazing and greatly encourages our next generation of leaders and provides opportunities for students that never would have had a chance. I've worked with many of the staff over 5 years and see the dedication and teamwork with everyone. I've been involved in judging, volunteering, inspecting, and organizing and can't believe how well it all works.
I have numerous connections with SSP, although my primary connection is thru ISEF. I am a member of the Local Arrangements Committee (LAC) for the Pittsburgh ISEF, Chair of Judging for Pittsburgh, a member of the Judge committee for the Pittsburgh Regional Fair ( a feeder fair to ISEF, and a member of the Judge Advisory Committee for ISEF.
I have a wide ranging relationship with people at SSP, from the Dr. Ajmira on down to administrative staff. This is primarily around ISEF. The relationship between SSP and the Pittsburgh LAC is one of 'family'. There is truly great personal affection for one another, but also great respect professionally. This is a team effort in which egos are put aside, and everyone works toward the same goal oif making this a tremendous experience for the student competitors and the visitors. While some reviews may pose some problems, WE REACH THAT "TREMENDOUS EXPERIENCE" GOAL.
The working relationship is key. Companies spend millions to get people to work together toward the same goal. We do it because the SSP people are dedicated to making it work, and the volunteers are similarly dedicated. We all seem to check the egos at the door.
SSP has a mission to promote the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform, educate, and inspire. Their science competitions reach hundreds of thousands of students around the world. While their competitions reach thousands of the best and brightest, there are hundreds of thousands competing in feeder fairs in schools, cities, regions, states, and countries. They all have the inspiration that they can do well, and reach the pinnacle of this world-wide competition. Many are inspired to continue study. SSP is inspiring our future tech workforce throughout the world. They are having a huge impact.
They do this thru their publications.
In a long career, my work with SSP is among the most satisfying things that i have done.
I have worked closely with SSP for over 15 years related to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Great group of people dedicated to providing the highest standards and concerns for promoting worldwide development of curricula and focus of science for students. All my efforts are volunteered and it is *SO* worth it!
For the past two and half years, this organization helped my science program with funds to help buy field equipment for students' research projects. These projects then won ribbons and awards at the regional science fair and national competitions, but watching the students become actively involved with data collecting and determining the solutions to environmental problems was the real success. The Society for Science & the Public raised our science comprehension and understanding to the highest level for all of my students.
The Science News for Students web-site is my go-to resource for disciplinary literacy. Thanks to donor support they are able to provide a free resource for students and educators. The writing is engaging, and I find the articles especially helpful for teaching students to see cause and effect relationships, identify literary devices in informational text, and to compare and contrast findings. The website allows teachers and students to search by topic and the cool science jobs section is a great way to help students see the connections between the classroom and their future.
I am a senior fellow for Society for Science and the Public from Shuqualak, Mississippi. Shuqualak is a small rural economically drained town. Being a senior fellow means I am in the 4th year of my fellowship grant. I have 75 students who have benefitted from this amazing outreach program. One of my students is a first generation high school student headed to college. First in her family! Thanks to the SSP Grant, I have 20 students from single parent households who are doing meaningful research. Two of whom have graduated from The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. All of the juniors and seniors in this program, have done service learning projects. Meaning they have worked with younger researchers to develop their ideas. None of these students would have received the recognition and achievement without Society for Science and the Public's Outreach efforts. The funding that they have provided has produced exponentially.
I was a volunteer at ISEF for four years and hope to return!
The organization goes above and beyond to make sure that the kids have a great time and enjoy the returns of all their hard work. If you could see behind the scenes how hard these people work to make sure that everyone has a good time, you'd be surprised. A lot of the volunteer work is handing out supplies to kids, stuffing bags, or playing security, but it's all about the people. Many of the volunteers return year after year- some have been there for twenty years! It's kind of like a second family that you only get to see for a week in May.
