Q & A with the Summer 2011 Media Team September 5, 2011
Posted by kyliev in Junior Mentors.add a comment
What did you do on the Media Team this summer?
MT: We learned about climate change and how it impacts the world. We interviewed Dr. Lucy Hutyra at Boston University. We also learned how to make stop-motion animations. We also joined the SCFG summer peer mentors on some career exploration field trips.
What was your favorite part of working on the Media Team this summer?
MT: Our favorite parts of the program were making the animations with help from the other media team from the Mayor’s program. It was a fun experience getting to interact with other kids our age with similar interests.
MT: This summer was a fun and rewarding experience because when we first joined Science Club for Girls, we did not know much about animation and climate change and we learned a great deal about these subjects.
- The Media Team and Peer Mentors out on a field trip.
The summer Media Team project is a collaboration with Cambridge Educational Access/Media Arts Studio, and is supported by grants from the Cambridge Cultural Council and Google.
How I spent my summer: Perspectives from our teen peer mentors August 31, 2011
Posted by kyliev in Junior Mentors, Junior Mentors Speak.Tags: girls, STEM
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What did you do as a Peer Mentor at Science Club for Girls this summer?
Kaychette: Monday through Wednesday we prepared to teach young first graders and young teens about science for Thursdays. We would have a lesson with a certain topic and experiment for them to do and learn from.
Lucy: During our prep time we talked about how to make science more interesting for younger kids. We challenged ourselves to set up exact schedules and give each Peer Mentor a piece of the lesson. For example, Chynere would do a stimulating introduction and then the rest of us (Lucy, Kaychette, Ari, and Fawzia) would split up the activities and speaking parts.
Ari: I got to do stuff I never did before. I never actually taught kids like an actual teacher.
Did you learn about any science yourself?
Lucy and Ari test an experiment with their students.
Lucy: We did a few science experiments, such as getting a balloon to the top of the stairs with only tape, straws, and string… In terms of science, I learned about proteins, balloons and rubber, buoyancy, surface tension, laughter, “fun facts,” etc.
Ari: I learned a lot of new hands-on science activities that were really cool.
What other activities did you do?
Lucy: Team building games and activities such as “Mad Libs” in new accents/voices, or talking about one topic for a minute without saying “like” or “um.” Sometimes our games were scientific, sometimes they weren’t…We went on field trips and we interacted with the head scientists/students and got tours of their buildings.
Did you learn anything outside of science this summer?
Lucy: I learned so much: about how to work with a group, how to be enthusiastic around kids, how to be a leader, how to have good input in a discussion, etc…We learned quite a bit [on field trips] – suggestions about our futures (more…)
Media Team college interns reflect on their experience on animating climate change August 18, 2011
Posted by Science Club for Girls in Junior Mentors.Tags: animation, climate change, teens
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Editor’s note: We are so grateful to have Lanette Simmons and Michael Murowchick work with us this summer, lending their expertise in youth development and climate change. We with them the best in the upcoming semester and do hope to work with you in the future!
These past six weeks at Science Club for Girls have been a wonderful learning experience not only for us, but for the girls as well. The girls we worked with this summer, all came into the program with a limited background in climate change. Nevertheless, they all came in with an open mind as well, and showed an eagerness to learn about a topic that is sure to affect their lives in both the present and the future. Over the course of the summer, we had the pleasure of watching the girls become more confident in their abilities and grow as individuals.
We spent most of our time at the Media Arts Studio in Cambridge, a fantastic complex that is part of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (where Celeste and Doneshia will be incoming freshmen in the fall). There, we were fortunate to be able to work with an extremely knowledgeable and helpful team of animation experts.
The girls’ project for the summer was to create an animation of a topic of their choice that pertained to climate change. Neither we nor the girls had any experience with animations, so this summer was a learning experience for all of us. Over the past few weeks, the girls were able to put together a number of small claymation and stopmotion presentations as part of our longer final project. (more…)
Junior Mentors Speak: Why caring counts February 16, 2011
Posted by Science Club for Girls in Junior Mentors, Junior Mentors Speak.Tags: Cambridge, CELLS, girls, Junior Mentors, Science
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As a Mentor I’m learning how to set the right positive examples. Each girl learns and develops differently. One of my girls requires a little more attention than the others. A couple weeks ago she kept interrupting others and I had to remind her of the rules three times. It was then that I realized that this particular girl needed more. It’s not enough to just tell her what to do. She has to see that my words and actions are out of love and care.
It’s not enough to just tell her what to do. She has to see that my words and actions are out of love and care.
When a girl realizes you’re telling her to do something because you care about her well-being, she will be more open to listening. Being a Junior Mentor takes a lot of endurance and patience!
Note: Mahshire is a 12th grade student in Cambridge, MA. This was first published in our November 2010 newsletter for our volunteers. It’s too insightful not to share with everyone!
Lawrence JMs in the House! November 2, 2010
Posted by Science Club for Girls in Junior Mentors.Tags: after school, CELLS, children, Clubs, early experience, Education, Fun, girls, high school, Junior Mentors, Lawrence, learning, Non-Profit, Science, STEM, Volunteer
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What makes SCFG a successful program? First and foremost, the answer is our dedicated volunteers. Science club participants look up to Volunteer Mentor Scientists and Junior Mentors as role models and as friends. These women give their enthusiasm, their personality, and their unique background in science to SCFG.
This year in Lawrence, we are lucky to have a new group of volunteer Junior Mentors from local high schools. High school teachers from Andover and Lawrence were excited to learn about volunteer opportunities with SCFG, and they have recruited excellent students from AP chemistry and biology to help lead clubs.
Our new Junior Mentors have exceeded expectations all around. They have stepped up by developing strong relationships with club participants, leading hands-on activities, and bringing their own outside knowledge into the curriculum. These Junior Mentors are already growing as leaders and developing valuable communication skills that will help them in college and future careers. SCFG is excited to continue working with this awesome group of Junior Mentors, and to expand our group of girls for the spring semester!
Thank you Sarita, Kathryn, Sammie, Elissa, and Chantel
