FAQ

6th-12th grade students and their Teachers from public, private and home schools in the United States can participate.

$2,750 for the year-long, job-embedded professional development. Usually schools pay for this cost out of professional development funds, Perkins, Title I, Title V, or ESSA funds.

Just like you wouldn’t expect a sports team to work without equipment, supplies, trained & compensated coaches, Science Coach Teachers can’t achieve success with high-level science projects without the following:

1. Student consumable supplies fund – $800 for high school and $400 for middle schools. Funds should have a streamlined process for ordering.
2. Teacher Coach compensation for non-school hours – extra duty/extra pay compensation or $2,000 (Head Coaches earn $3,000)

Yes. All Coaches must attend a one-week professional development training session in the summer which is currently held virtually the 2nd or 3rd week of July each year. Training costs are $1,500. Teachers receive a $500 stipend (from this fee) for attendance.

$6,000

• $1,250 Science Coach year-long, job-embedded professional development fee
• $1,500 Week-long summer training (attendance is paid to the teacher)
• $2,000 Teacher Coach stipend ($3,000 if a Head Coach)
• $800 Student consumable supplies ($400 if a middle school)
• $450 for student recruitment/retention efforts

• $1,500 for a week-long professional development training course – which includes access to the Science Coach teacher-facing 12-module methodology curriculum. As well as
• $1,250 Science Coach year-long, job-embedded professional development fee
• $2,000 Teacher Coach stipend
• $800 Student consumable supplies ($400 if a middle school)
• $450 for student recruitment/retention efforts

*Many schools regularly support a robust research program and already include some of these items in a school science budget

Yes.  As of July 2019, these federal funds can now be used to pay for STEM programs.  Here are a few sources of documentation of these recent changes:

Perkins V references STEM as an allowable use of local funds.

A notable change in Perkins V modifies the previous definition of CTE to include “career exploration at the high school level or as early as the middle grades,”1 defined as grades five through eight. This revision marks the first time that Perkins funds can be used for comprehensive CTE programs in those grades, allowing districts to consider Perkins V funds for implementation of 6th-8th grade Science Coach programs

Section 135 (20 U.S.C 2355(b)(5)(M)

(M) supporting programs and activities that increase access, student engagement, and success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields (including computer science and architecture) for students who are members of groups underrepresented in such subject fields;

Providing professional development for teachers and other practitioners is a required use of Perkins funds. These funds can be used for the summer week-long training and the annual $1,250 job-embedded professional development opportunity.

Perkins V maintains a focus on aligning CTE with industry needs. A key change with the reauthorization is a new reference to “employability skills.” Now, states and districts can intentionally incorporate programs that teach skills like problem solving, communication, collaboration, and other in-demand, transportable skills that are critical to students’ success in college and are proven to be the most demanded and valued in the job market.2   The Science Coach program measures these skills in a very unique and quantifiable manner (see the measurable outcomes in the following FAQ) and has dedicated components of our curriculum which specifically teaches integration of the scientific methodology into a student’s everyday life.

1. 20 U.S.C. § 2032(5)(D) 2. The Power of Transportable Skills: Assessing the Demand and Value of the Skills of the Future. Project Lead The Way and Burning Glass Technologies, 2019, www2.pltw.org/TransportableSkillsReport.

Title 1 Funding – ESSA – Every Student Succeeds Act

ESSA provides considerable flexibility for states and stresses the importance of equitable access to a high-quality STEM education. There are nine titles in the ESSA, with two of those titles containing significant support for Science Coach programs. Local and state rules may influence how your school or district can utilize ESSA funding, so school leaders should work with their district CTE leadership to apply for and secure funding under the titles below.

Title I Part A – Title I Part A provides funding to support schools with a high number of students from low-income families, but funding is also meant to ensure all students meet rigorous academic standards regardless of economic status. In schools where more than 40 percent of students come from low-income families, schools may use the funding on schoolwide programs that improve achievement for all students.

Title II Part A  – One of the purposes of Title II funding grants is to increase student achievement through teacher professional development. Districts and schools can use Title II Part A funding in a variety of ways to support Science Coach Professional Development including recruiting, teacher training, and innovative pay structures such as paying the teacher compensation for the after-school work. According to the federal statute and guidance, specific activities may include: • Providing professional learning opportunities to STEM educators. • Supporting STEM educators as they implement new courses, such as computer science and engineering. • Providing differential or incentive pay for educators in high-need subject areas, such as STEM, to serve in high-need schools, or to reward the work of teachers and leaders who have demonstrated effectiveness in improving student outcomes in STEM areas.

Science Coach measures the following outcomes:

21^st Century Skills

• Persistence: 70% of students who start the Science Coach program will complete a project. 60% of students will declare 1 or more failures having been experienced while doing their project.
• Resilience: 40% will enter and compete in more than one competition. 60% of students display increased self-confidence due to their Science Coach experience.
• Collaboration: 50% of the student presentation boards will cite assistance from 1 or more people.

Recognition

• 10% of students who participate in a fair, will move on to the next level science fair competition
• 3% of students will advance to the ISEF (Int’l Science & Engineering Fair)
• 60% of students will receive awards for their project
• 50% of coaches will have students compete in next level fairs and 10% of them will win awards at these competitions

Integration

• 70% of the students will be able to demonstrate how to use scientific processes to address a real-life situation.
• 60% will have used an interdisciplinary approach of 4 or more school subjects in their project creation
• 85% of students will receive a passing grade or higher in their STEM research class (Impact Genome: STEM Proficiency)
• 70% of the students will express an intention to declare or have declared a STEM-related postsecondary major

To achieve maximum compensation, teachers are required to have a minimum number of students based on two factors: 1) their school size   2) the number of years they are in the Science Coach program. Teachers can have less than this number of students, but they will received a pro-rated compensation.

Any juried competition is eligible. Note: Showcases are not eligible.  Following is a PARTIAL list of eligible competitions:

• ISEF – International Science and Engineering Fair – Requires selection at a Regional Fair to attend.
• Any ISEF affiliated Regional Fair
• Universal Project (Online) Olympiad
• Mastodon Art /Science RegionalFair
• Genius Olympiad
• Google Science Fair
• Regeneron Science Talent Search
• Lexus Eco Challenge
• Missouri Tri- County Regional Science and Engineering Fair
• St. Louis Science Fair
• Missouri Regional JSHS (hosted by Missouri University of Science and Technology)
• Kidzpreneur
• Green School Quest
• Stockholm Junior Water

The most common way to use the Science Coach program is integrated into existing classes, research classes, or as an extracurricular activity. It works in public, private, and home-schools across rural, urban and suburban areas. The stipend actually helps compensate Coaches for significant out-of-school time, both in the project preparation, working with students, and attending competitions.

There are VERY few exceptions in which we allow the waiving of stipends. These include the following:

• Extra duty/extra pay compensation paid by the school
• When 100% of the research project is completed in the classroom
• Alternative classroom implementations
• Coaches who have received a monetary award from the Society for Science in the Public Advocates program or similar program

The application can be completed HERE.

We seek teachers who:

• Are comfortable with not knowing all the answers
• Are resourceful – looking for more tools in their toolbox
• Are persistent
• Are OK with chaos
• Can be a good mentor – can handle fragile souls of students, supportive, cheerleader, know when to step in and when to not
• Believe in STEM capability of students
• Have some real research experience to draw upon – have lived this
• Ask why
• Act as a facilitator, not an instructor
• Embrace just-in-time teaching
• Have experience with doing Science Fairs (not required)
• Are a strong advocate for science fair projects

If this sounds like you, then you’d make a perfect Science Coach! Apply today!

• Start forming your team. Find 3-5 teachers who also want to do advanced authentic research in their classroom. These teachers can be from public, private or home-schools across rural, urban and suburban areas. Multiple districts can participate in one team. Contact Science Coach when you have your team or if you need placement on a team. We also utilize a ‘virtual team’ model for teachers who cannot meet in person.
• Plan to attend the Intensive Summer Professional Development Training in July
• Recruit your students – have your participating students complete the Student Intake form.

No, Science Coach does not screen students. We leave that to each school/teacher to select students they believe will be a good fit with the Science Coach program.

Total Possible Compensation: $2,000

1. $100 Teacher Coach Onboarding – Flat amount for 100% completion of entering your personal profile information in the Teacher Milestone Entry Portal, submitting your W-9 and electronic payment information (if applicable) and signing the electronic participation Agreement. Completed by 8/31. (Students must register by completing Intake Form by 9/30)
2. $300 Project Onboarding – Projects Created, Students Assigned, working Title, Simple 2-line Project Description, and initial Abstract entered in the Teacher Portal. This is a pro-rated amount based on the Target Number of Projects. For example, if you have three students completing a group project, their three intake forms for the one project would only count as one project toward the Target Number of Projects goal. Completed by 10/31.
3. $300 Research Plans uploaded; Final Project Title, Description, and Full Abstract entered; Project Status updated in the Teacher Portal. This is a pro-rated amount based on submission of the Target Number of Projects. Completed by 2/28.
4. $300 Competition Registration – Non-school juried competitions added, all fields including Registration Date entered, Project Status and Competition Status updated in the Teacher Portal. Proof of registration should be retained by the Teacher Coach and may be randomly requested for verification. This is a pro-rated amount based on submission of the Target Number of Projects. Completed by 4/30.
5. $300 Competition Participation and Awards Added – Pro-rated amount based on the TOTAL NUMBER of competitions actually attended. To obtain maximum compensation, the total number of non-school juried competitions entered must equal the Target Number of Projects. For example, if your Target Number of Projects are 5 and you have 3 projects that entered a total of 5 competitions, you will have met this goal. Completed by 5/31.
6. $100 Top Award Recipient – Flat amount for any one project receiving a 1st -3rd place or a special award at a national/international competition, a 1st place at a regional competition. Completed by 5/31.
7. $400 Monthly Coach Cohort PD Meeting Attendance – Pro-rated amount based on attendance at the monthly Coach Cohort PD meeting.  Head Coaches are responsible for documenting meeting attendance in the Teacher Portal. Completed by 5/31.
8. $100 Student Outcome Surveys – Pro-rated amount based on Science Coach students completing four (4) quarterly surveys throughout the school year. Completed by 5/31.
9. $100 Teacher Quarterly Feedback Survey – Pro-rated amount based on the teacher completing four (4) quarterly surveys throughout the school year. Completed by 5/31.

*all milestone information must be accurately entered by the Teacher Coach in the Teacher Milestone Entry Portal.

• Recruit students to complete advanced authentic research science projects and have them submit their International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) paperwork.
• PROJECTS must register in a juried science competition outside of their school. (Note, up to 3 students can work on one project.)
• PROJECTS must compete in at least one juried science competition outside of their school.
• Cooperate with the Head Coach and other Teacher Coaches.
• Attend monthly virtual meetings.
• Communicate with the Head Coach as frequently as needed but at least once a month via email or phone.
• Provide a completed W-9 form which can be manually written or typed using the fillable PDF from https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf or within the online Science Coach Portal.
• Submission of requested data via the online Science Coach Teacher Milestone Entry Portal.

The Head Coach is a teacher who has had years of experience doing advanced authentic science research and has had at least one student win at a national/international competition. Suggested competitions could include ISEF (International Science and Engineering Fair) or NJSHS (National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium) and others as determined by Science Coach. Head Coaches can receive a maximum of $3,000 based on the milestone achievements listed below*:

1. $300 Head Coach and Teacher Coach Onboarding Completion – Flat amount for 100% signing this electronic participation Agreement and completion of entering your personal profile information in Teacher Milestone Entry Portal. Completed by 8/31. (Students registered by 9/30)
2. $500 Project Onboarding – Projects Created, Students Assigned, working Title, Simple Project Description, and Initial Abstract entered in the Teacher Portal. Pro-rated amount based on the team Teacher Coach’s registering enough students/projects in Teacher Milestone Entry Portal to equal their Target Number of Projects. Completed by 10/31.
3. $500 Teacher Coach Research Plan Paperwork Submission – Research Plans Uploaded, Final Project Title, Simple Description, and Full Abstract entered, Project Status updated in the Portal by Teacher and Head Coaches. Pro-rated amount based on submission of the Research Plan paperwork equal to or greater than the Team Target Number of Projects. Completed by 2/28.
4. $400 Competition Participation and Awards Added – Registration and Attendance Dates entered, Awards added, all fields added/updated, including final Project Status and Competition Status in the Portal. Pro-rated amount based on the actual number of team projects attending competitions was equal to or greater than the Team Target Number of Projects. Completed by 5/31.
5. $100 Head Coach Next Level Competition Achievement – Flat amount for any one Head Coach student’s project receiving a 1st -3rd place or a special award at a national/international competition, a 1st place at a regional competition. ($100 maximum paid for this Milestone). Completed by 5/31.
6. $100 Teacher Coach Next Level Competition Achievement – Flat amount for any one Teacher Coach student’s project receiving a 1st -3rd place or a special award at a national/international competition, a 1st place at a regional competition. ($100 maximum paid for this Milestone). Completed by 5/31.
7. $400 Quarterly Coach Meetings – Pro-rated amount based on scheduling and attending quarterly meetings with your team members. Completed by 5/31.
8. $200 Two Head Coach Meeting Attendance – Pro-rated amount based on in-person/virtual full meeting attendance with Science Coach Administration. Completed by 5/31.
9. $100 Head Coach Four Quarterly Feedback Surveys – Pro-rated for $25 per survey completed by the Head Coach. Completed by 5/31.
10. $400 Teacher Coach Four Quarterly Feedback Surveys – Pro-rated based on team Teacher Coach’s and their students (equal to or greater than their Target Number of Projects) completing the four surveys. Completed by 5/31

*all milestone information must be accurately entered by the Head Coach or Teacher Coach in the Teacher Milestone Entry Portal.

• Work with Teacher Coaches to support them to effectively coach students to create advanced authentic science research projects which are entered into juried competitions.
• Work with teachers to help them submit their ISEF paperwork.
• Help teachers find and register in at least one juried science competition outside of their school.
• Track the results of your own students who compete in juried science competitions outside of their school in the Teacher Milestone Entry Portal.
• Provide a completed W-9 form which can be manually written or typed using the fillable PDF from https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf
• Participate in monthly Coach Cohort PD virtual meetings and document team member attendance.
• Have a phone or in-person conversation each month (August – March) with each Teacher Coach.
• Send at least one email each month (spaced out from the call) to each Teacher Coach to touch base with them and get feedback on status, challenges, etc.
• Help Teacher Coaches find access to the necessary lab and equipment needed.
• Be familiar with the status of your Coaches and support them to complete their required milestones.
• Sign off on Teacher Coaches graduate credit paperwork and assign a grade.

We want every interested school and teacher to participate and will work with you to figure out a way. That might mean starting out with a smaller team in the first year and growing over time. Let’s think creatively. Your school may already have some of the scientific supplies, which would decrease your Science Coach costs.

Did you know that Science Coach can be paid through Perkins and Title 1 funding? Funding rules were changed to allow 5th-12th grade STEM programs as allowable expenditures starting with the 2019-2020 school year.

We’re also happy to work with you in identifying funding opportunities and crafting requests from foundations, companies, and individual donors in your community.

Schools implement Science Coach in a variety of different ways – during classroom, alternative classroom, after-school clubs, FFA groups, etc. Science Coach leaves it up to the school/teacher to determine when and where it is offered to students.

The beauty of Science Coach is that students lead their own research. Projects can be anything related to science research. Teacher Coaches are there to equip, mentor, and coach students as they learn about and move through the scientific process. Teachers also help students integrate what they learn into their lives and see how the scientific process can be applied in a variety of ways.

Science Coach has great respect for PLTW and is currently conducting a pilot where the Science Coach Advanced Innovation Methodology (AIM) Teacher is integrated in the PLTW Capstone project by providing students an opportunity to conduct an advanced authentic research project that can be entered into a juried competition.

This is up to each school and how they pay teachers. Science Coach actively encourages schools to pay stipends pre-tax so it is not subject to retirement and other expenses. However, if Science Coach pays the stipend, it is always paid pre-tax by direct deposit and Coaches receive a 1099.

Simply put, yes. Doing advanced authentic research projects requires an investment of teacher time. Teachers and students also need adequate supplies in order to complete projects. Science Coach is also always making improvements to our Advanced Innovation Methodology (AIM) Teacher and professional development system. To have access to the latest updates, ongoing professional development, and mentoring from other teachers, schools must pay Science Coach’s annual fees.

Ideally, each student should complete their own project. However, if several students are interested in researching the same idea, Science Coach allows up to three students to work together on the same project.