Let s Talk Science Presents: AMP (Aboriginal Mentorship Program) Guidelines and Time Table 2011-2012
Table of Contents Introduction and Mission Statement.3 Program Calendar...4 Curiocity...5 Activity 1 Classroom Visit and Amp Orientation.....6 Activity 2 - Online Mentorship Session in Preparation for the Challenge Day.7 Activity 3- Challenge Day and Hand Out of Science Fair Topics.......8 Activity 4 Online Mentorship in Preparation for Science Fair 9 Activity 5 Classroom Visit and Science Fair Help.. 10 Activity 6 Online Mentorship in Preparation for Science Fair..11 Activity 7 Young Aboriginal Scientist Days and Science Fair..12-14 ClearSea Technical Guidelines..15-18 AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 2
Introduction The Aboriginal Mentorship Program was founded in 2009 in an effort to support Aboriginal students in their studies and improve their education prospects. Let s Talk Science volunteers have travelled to regions of northern Ontario to conduct fun and interactive science activities with students from rural and remote communities as part of a program called Science Travels. These trips have included visits to some First Nation Reserve schools. Volunteers were saddened by the lack of resources available to the students. In addition, it has been shown that the high school graduation rates for First Nation students living on reserve hover around 50%, much lower than the national average. In response to becoming aware of these facts, the AMP program aims to increasing student interest in school by bringing resources to classrooms, engaging the students in fun science experiments, scientific challenges online chats with current university students and culminating in a science fair and visit to the university of Ottawa. Mission Statement A major hurdle for many aboriginal students in obtaining their high school diploma is successful completion of mandatory science course requirements. The goal of AMP is not to make every student a scientist, but to increase their interest in science and school by connecting them with young science graduate and doctorate students from the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. By creating a one on one connection with a real working scientist, the AMP program strives to provide each participant with the encouragement and resources needed to succeed in an academic environment. AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 3
Curiocity This year, Let s Talk Science developed a website called CurioCity (www.curiocity.ca). CurioCity is an interactive, web-based meeting place where teens can connect with post-secondary students and science professionals to explore and discover the science, engineering and technology behind everyday life. Featuring insightful articles and videos that cover topics relevant to 13- to 17-year-olds such as current events, health issues, technology, entertainment, sports and the environment CurioCity is a wealth of interesting, accurate and credible information. Through the community, users can ask questions, get help with homework and learn about science-related careers. Educators can join the community to access a variety of learning strategies, including opportunities for collaboration, which support the use of CurioCity with students and for professional learning. CurioCity houses a microsite for AMP (www.curiocity.ca/amp). This microsite can be used by students and educators to learn about AMP. It is also where mentorees and mentors can be in touch on a regular basis. There will be an ongoing chat available where mentorees can pose questions or write comments for the mentors to respond to. There will also be several discussion boards on various topics where the mentorees and mentors can communicate about upcoming activities, the challenge day, and the science fair. AMP at Curiocity will provide an open, ongoing communication between the mentors and mentorees. AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 4
2011-2012 AMP Program Calendar DECEMBER 11 JANUARY 12 16 Orientation and Activities Day 20 First Online Mentoring S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 17 Second Online Mentoring 27 The Challenge FEBRUARY 12 MARCH 12 7 Third Online Mentoring 21 Forth Online Mentoring S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 Science Fair Help and Activities Day APRIL 12 MAY 12 3 Fifth Online Mentoring 17 Final Online Mentoring S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 16-18 Science Fair and Young Scientist Week AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 5
AMP activity #1 Friday, December 16 th, 2011 Orientation and Activities at Your School We will be at your school for the whole day (4 periods). Three periods will be devoted to hands on science activities in our volunteer s fields of expertise. Any/all students are welcome. One period will be an orientation session for the 12 students from your school chosen to participate in the AMP program. Please help us plan our visit to your school by filling in this schedule. Please fill in the 3 periods in which you would like the activities meant for a larger audience and the 1 period you would like devoted to the AMP program orientation. Please fill in the times of each period so we can better plan our trip. Please send to Beckie Granatstein once complete (email: stravels@uottawa.ca or fax: 613-562-5285). Period 1. Grade: # students in class: Room number: Teacher s name: Will a projector (PowerPoint) be available? Y N 2. 3. Grade and Subject: # students in class: Room number: Teacher s name: Will a projector (PowerPoint) be available? Y Lunch Grade and Subject: # students in class: Room number: Teacher s name: Will a projector (PowerPoint) be available? Y N N 4. Grade and Subject: # students in class: Room number: Teacher s name: Will a projector (PowerPoint) be available? Y N AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 6
AMP activity #2 Tuesday, December 20 th, 2011 and Tuesday, January 17 th, 2012 Online Mentoring Sessions Prior to session, VROC must be downloaded to each computer being used during these sessions! See attached form for instructions on installing VROC. When: At some point on December 20 th and January 17 th, (could be after school as to not disrupt the school day) our mentors will set up online mentoring sessions with the mentorees. How: The AMP program will pair with Curiocity.ca to provide online video chats between the AMP mentors and mentorees. What: Prior to this online meeting, mentorees will be provided with a small booklet, outlining the research of each graduate student which will form the basis of these sessions. The mentorees will use these sessions to gain insight into the mentors research, interest and career paths. This background information on the mentors will serve as the basis for the quiz portion of challenge day. Three mentorees at a time will spend 15 minutes with each mentor, asking each mentor questions about their career, research and interests. The mentorees will rotate between each of the mentors until they have spent 15 minutes with each mentor asking them questions and taking notes. This activity will last one hour and require 4 computers be set up to the online program at the same time. AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 7
AMP activity #3 Friday, January 27th, 2011 The Challenge Individual Building Challenge Individuals will compete in a solo challenge. Break Quiz Mentorees will be questioned based on information provided by volunteer on research, career, interests, etc... Lunch Team Building Mentorees will work within a team to complete a challenge Break Science Fair Introduction Mentorees will be given topics and be able to find a volunteer in their field of interest to help them with their project AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 8
AMP activity #4 Tuesday, February 7th and Tuesday, February21st Online Mentoring Sessions When: At some point on February 7 th and February 21 st (could be after school as to not disrupt the school day) our volunteers will set up online mentoring sessions with the mentorees. How: The AMP program will pair with Curiocity.ca to provide online video chats with the AMP mentors and mentorees. What: The mentorees can use this time to discuss their science fair project with their mentor. These sessions will be centered on preparing the mentoree for the science fair. AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 9
AMP activity #5 Friday, March 30 th, 2011 Science Fair Help and Activities at Your School We will be at your school for the whole day (4 periods). Three periods will be devoted to hands on science activities in our volunteer s fields of expertise. Any/all students are welcome. One period will be devoted to helping the AMP students prepare for the science fair. Please help us plan our visit to your school by filling in this schedule. Please fill in the 3 periods in which you would like the activities meant for a larger audience and the 1 period you would like devoted to the AMP program Science Fair preparation. Please fill in the times of each period so we can better plan our trip. Please send to Beckie Granatstein once complete (email: stravels@uottawa.ca or fax: 613-562-5285). Period 1. Grade: # students in class: Room number: Teacher s name: Will a projector (PowerPoint) be available? Y N 2. 3. Grade and Subject: # students in class: Room number: Teacher s name: Will a projector (PowerPoint) be available? Y Lunch Grade and Subject: # students in class: Room number: Teacher s name: Will a projector (PowerPoint) be available? Y N N 4. Grade and Subject: # students in class: Room number: Teacher s name: Will a projector (PowerPoint) be available? Y N AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 10
AMP activity #6 Tuesday, April 3 rd and Tuesday, April 17 th Final Online Mentoring Sessions before the Science Fair When: At some point on April 3 rd and April 17 th (could be after school as to not disrupt the school day) our volunteers will set up online mentoring sessions with the mentorees. How: The AMP program will pair with Curiocity.ca to provide online video chats between the AMP mentors and mentorees. What: The mentorees can use this time to discuss their science fair project with their mentor. These sessions will be centered on preparing the mentoree for the science fair. This will be the last chance for the AMP students to discuss their science fair with our volunteers. AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 11
AMP activity #6 Friday, May 16-18th Science Fair at the University of Ottawa As part of the: 2-Day Young Aboriginal Scientist Program! Who? The participants will be primarily participants of the Aboriginal Student Mentorship Program. Other Aboriginal students from a school in Montreal may participate. A maximum of 24 high school students and 6 educatorchaperones will be accepted in the program. When? Wednesday, May 16 to Friday, May 18th, 2012 It is anticipated that students and chaperones will travel to the University of Ottawa on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 16 th and depart at the end of the afternoon on Friday, May 18 th. Accommodations will be provided on May 16 th and 17 th. If the student does not choose to arrive on the morning of May 17 th, they may arrive before the commencement of the lab experiments at 9 am on May 17 th. A variety of science workshops and other activities will take place at the university during these two days, including: laboratory experiments, meetings with student mentors and demonstrations that are intended to enhance student understanding and enjoyment of science and possible science careers. Where? Most workshops and activities will take place in the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Ottawa. What? Much of each day will be dedicated to experiences in research laboratories where students will be exposed to state-of-the-art technologies and experiments. Students will be supervised by professors and graduate students who will provide the guidance and resources to enable the students to be actively involved in laboratory activities. The draft agenda for two days follows in the coming pages. AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 12
Language: The University of Ottawa is a multicultural and officially bilingual university that offers science programs in both French and English. As much as possible, the workshops and other activities during the Aboriginal Student Scientist Program will be delivered in the language(s) of preference identified by the participants on their registration form. Expectations for the visiting students: Visiting youth will be expected to participate in all organized activities, and will be encouraged to make a daily record of their experiences. All participants are expected to behave in a manner that helps to maintain their own health safety, as well as the health and safety of the other participants of this program. Cost: There is no charge to the students or teacher-chaperones for their participation in the Young Aboriginal Scientist Program activities. We are very grateful to the program sponsors who have provided the funds to pay the costs accommodations, meals, and all lab and program activities for the 24 students and 6 teacherchaperones. Travel: Costs associated with travel to and from Ottawa are not covered by Science Travels. Accommodations: Reservations will be made on the main campus of the University of Ottawa. Boys and girls will be on separate floors, and most students will be accommodated two per room. Chaperones will each have their own room. There is a common washroom on each floor. Please note that towels are not provided. Registration: To apply for participation in the Aboriginal Student Scientist Program, each student must complete a registration form. Students must have the form co-signed by a parent or legal guardian. Deadline for submission of the registration form is April 16 th, 2012. Registered participants will be contacted by the Science Travels program administrator who will assist with the travel and logistical arrangements. Draft Schedule: Time May 16 Day 1 5:00 Arrival of AMP participants 6:00 Meet in lobby of Stanton Hall 6:00 Welcome/campus tour and scavenger hunt 7:00 7:00 8:30 Dinner AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 13
Time May 17 Day 2 8:00 Arrival of other participants 9:00 8:00 Breakfast 8:50 8:50 Meet in lobby of Stanton Hall for a guided walk from Stanton Hall to the science lab 9:00 Lab Tour with Hands on Activity 12:00 12:15- Science Fair Set Up 12:25 12:25- Science Fair Walk Around and Lunch 12:50 All participants will get a chance to walk around the various projects 12:50- Science Fair Presentations and Judging 1:50 2:50- Break walk to Aboriginal Resource Center 3:10 University Centre (2nd Floor - room 215D) 3:10 Aboriginal Resource Center 3:55 Pat Lacroix: campus life/mentors/grants 4:00- Lab Tour with Hands on Activity 5:00 5:00 - Break 5:15 Get ready for dinner/evening! 5:30 Dinner at Tucker s Marketplace and Science Fair Awards 7:00 7:00 - Tour around Ottawa 8:30 Time May 18 Day 3 8:00 Breakfast 8:50 9:00 Lab Tour with Hands on Activity 12:00 12:00 Lunch 1:00 1:00 Lab Tour with Hands on Activity 2:15 2:15 Break 3:00 3:00 Debrief and Departure / Evaluations 4:00 AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 14
ClearSea Technical Guidelines Document Purpose: To assist end users with installing and configuring the ClearSea videoconferencing capability on a computer and/or laptop. Specifications: 1. Generally desktops perform better than laptops 2. MACs generally handle the audio better than PCs 3. The newer the system the better 4. For audio, a headset is recommended with a mic 5. Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP/2003/Vista/7 (including 64 bit versions), DirectX 9.0c or higher Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or higher 6. Minimum Requirements: P4 @ 2.0 Ghz (audio/high-res video calls); Core 2 Duo class, 2.33 GHz (H.264, 720p videocalls); Core 2 Quad class, 2.66 GHz (H.264, 1080p videocalls); 1GB RAM and 30MB hard-disk space Instructions for installation: 1. Ensure you have a working webcam and headset (or good audio solution) installed. 2. Go to http://clearsea.vroc.ca and download and install the appropriate client for your system. i.e. Mac v. PC AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 15
3. When prompted for a username and password enter the username and password provided to you by VROC as well as the ClearSea server address: ClearSea.vroc.ca AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 16
4. If you wish, you may keep the default settings when the First run configuration window appears. To do so, click on the Network & Protocols tab, and then click Done. AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 17
5. Launch ClearSea and place a test call to 142.55.77.14 to see if you can place an outgoing call from within ClearSea. Alternatively, you can call Mike McMillan at VROC to test your connection. To call Mike, just hover over his name and click the call button that appears. Remember: 1. If you are in an institution that doesn t allow you to install software you will have to consult your I.T. department 2. Your institutions firewall may not allow the call to go through. VROC technicians will work with your I.T. Department to make it work. Call the number below to get help. Not working? Call Virtual Researcher On Call (VROC) tech support below to assist! Technical Support: 519-433-7866 x4 AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 18
AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 19