Time to Invent Club: Volunteers Needed

Time to Invent Club: Volunteers Needed

Invention-Based Mentoring Program for Fifth Graders

Download the Free Activity Guide:   http://timetoinvent.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/tti_full_guide.pdf

November 30, 2011--Time to Invent Club: Volunteers Needed
Innovation and invention are cornerstones of American society, but not all young people have role models to open doors in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).  To help meet this need, WGBH (Boston’s PBS station) and the Lemelson Foundation launched an exciting invention-based mentoring program called the Time to Invent Club in 2009. The program places STEM professionals and college students in afterschool sites once a week to co-lead an hour-long program. Working with a group of fifth graders, the mentors use a stepped-out curriculum that inspires underserved youth to explore invention. WGBH is currently looking for volunteers to serve as mentors for an 8-10 week program beginning in February 2012 at afterschool sites in Massachusetts, Oregon, and Indiana. 

More information: www.timetoinvent.org.

If interested, contact Liza Goldstein: liza_goldstein@wgbh.org or (617) 300-3642.

Background:

Several years ago, ACEC/MA Members Rick Moore (Tetratech) and Glenn Bell (Simpson Gumpertz & Heger) joined ACEC/MA Executive Director Abbie Goodman and others for a brainstorming session with the Educational Outreach Department at WGBH (Boston’s PBS station and a major producer of educational programming).  One of the resulting ideas led to the development of some afterschool activities for fifth grade students.

After being successfully piloted for two years in Massachusetts and Indiana, the Time to Invent Club program is now available for use by anyone, anywhere.  It is designed for fifth graders.
 
The Time to Invent Club is an invention-based mentoring program developed by WGBH (Boston’s PBS station) and funded by the Lemelson Foundation.  Fifth graders participate in fun, hands-on invention activities that spark their interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).   WGBH piloted the program in over 40 afterschool sites serving underserved kids in Massachusetts and Indiana during a two-year period.

Download the FREE Activity Guide and find more information:  www.timetoinvent.org  

Educators or volunteer STEM professionals and college students can lead the program.  Activities can be implemented in a variety of educational settings such as afterschools, camps, or classrooms.

Direct link to the Activity Guide:  http://timetoinvent.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/tti_full_guide.pdf
Questions? Contact  timetoinvent@wgbh.org.