Enrichment Activities
We focus on assisting Connecticut teachers in engaging with their students regarding involvement in STEM-related activities. These activities assist teachers by providing alternative methods for educating their STEM-curious students.
Teacher Mentoring
CT STEM C3
(Consultant, Counselor, Cheerleader)
Mentorship to support teachers in underserved communities
What Does This Program Do?
It supports Connecticut teachers who want to help their students perform original STEM research and present their findings at local, state, and national STEM Fairs.
How Does The Program Work?
A STEM educator with experience helping students perform original STEM research and participate in STEM fairs will mentor a Connecticut science teacher who wants to learn how to do this.
Mentors have three roles.
Role 1 - Consultant:
Mentors are responsible for sharing their research insights gained through years of real-world experience. Mentors save a mentee both time and resources in figuring out a problem. This frees up the mentee to focus on the students authentic research.
Role 2 - Counselor:
Listen. Guide. But don't give away all the answers. A good mentor reflects on their own experiences to determine when the journey was more insightful than the outcome. A mentor must play the role of counselor and provide guidance but not answers, enabling their mentee to figure out the right course of action individually. It is important that the mentor/mentee relationship be open and trusting. Knowing and understanding how the mentee learns best either by doing something or reading about it provides a collaborative atmosphere and helps determine when a mentor needs to step in.
Role 3 - Cheerleader:
In addition to constructive feedback and advice mentors also provide support and enthusiasm. Beginning any new program or project has many ups and downs, and it can be encouraging to know that your mentor is rooting for you. Mentors should help celebrate a mentee's successes--no matter how big or small. An open and honest two-way communication between mentee and mentor will support successful relationships.
No Guest Lectures Are Scheduled at This Time
The Foundation identifies and schedules guest lecturers and related activities that teachers can use to provide additional educational experiences for their students.
Recent activities have included:
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Field trips to local science/engineering-based companies, such as Pratt & Whitney’s aircraft engine manufacturing facility
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A program on the physics of driving a Le Mans race car (with an actual race car as part of the program)
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A presentation by civilian astronaut Greg Olsen