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Science Coach exists to ensure teachers are trained, supported, resourced, and energized to inspire future innovators.
Teachers are often on their own to learn advanced authentic research techniques, create their own research curriculum, find high-tech lab equipment, and are frequently denied laboratory access for their research students. Science Coach solves these challenges.
Science Coach takes the traditional sports team approach and applies it to the STEM arena. An experienced Head Coach works with a team of five Teacher Coaches who, in turn, coach their students to choose questions of personal interest, create procedures to test hypotheses, arrive at answers with validity, and build confidence in solving real world problems in a methodical way. Students develop the critical thinking skills needed for project-based STEM research.
This proven professional development system excites and empowers teams of 6th – 12th grade STEM teachers to coach students to complete advanced authentic research projects for entry into science fairs or other competitions. Science Coach is a flexible program that can be offered in public, private, or home schools in rural, urban, and suburban areas. Teachers can join a team as an individual Coach or with a committed team of colleagues. Find out more about how it works here.
The best part? Many schools regularly support professional development and a robust research program so the school science budget includes the required items – teacher compensation for out-of-class time and student project supply funds. The district STEM initiative funds such as Perkins, Title I, Title V or ESSA can be used to compensate teachers for the extra duty of coaching students to do advanced authentic research and taking students to science competitions. Science Coach funding relies on the teacher’s school district, donor, and/or grant funding. Find out more about the participation budget here.
A participating Science Coach school/district receives:
Science Coach participants have won 65 national/international science fair competition awards. Participants have invented a home test to determine if a tick is carrying Lyme disease, explored the decreasing bee population, and created an environmentally safe way to eradicate the Emerald Ash Bore. Many Science Coach students have been offered full scholarships to college – over $1.2 million since 2007.
But the real win is in coaching students in the process of critical thinking so they are well equipped to solve the problems of today and tomorrow. Through the Science Coach program, students are building a foundation for future success.
Ready to get your school or district involved? Complete the Administrator Engagement Form. Have questions? The Science Coach program encourages them! Contact us here.
Testimonials
“The Science Coaching program has provided my students the resources necessary to conduct science fair projects and has helped me be a better teacher.”
– Ben Martin
“Being a Science Coach has been a very rewarding experience. I feel much more confident and knowledgeable about helping my students achieve success when doing independent research. Many of my students have won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the Mastodon Art/Science Regional Fair as well as special awards ranging from scholarships to the opportunity to apply for additional science fairs, including the International Science and Engineering Fair. ”
– Amy Kimbrell, High School Science Teacher and Science Coach, Crystal City, MO.