The Explainer Career Ladder

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This model project is designed to encourage women, minorities and the disabled to enter careers in science and mathematics teaching at the precollege level. The project will establish a Career Ladder model which identifies critical high school and college entry points into secondary school science teaching careers for minorities, women and the disabled. The model includes recruiting, mentoring, training, and professional employment for the target population. The first activity is a high school internship component involving ten hours of internship each week for one semester for selected members of the target groups. The second activity is the College Explainer component in which, at the New York Hall of Science, local undergraduates from the target groups are prepared to: orient school groups, offer workshops and floor demonstrations to families and school groups, deliver outreach programs to school and community groups, and represent the Hall at national conferences and professional meetings. Explainers work for up to 20 hours a week. Explainers are selected for their interpersonal skills and ability to understand and communicate science. The Explainer role will provide opportunities for interaction with scientists and technologists, politicians, and people of all ages and walks of life. In the third activity, Explainers, in their junior year enroll in a formal academic program leading to certification as secondary science teachers. The Hall of Science, Queens College, area school districts, and the New York City Board of Education are collaborators in this activity. In the fourth activity students, upon graduation from the pre-service program, are eligible for secondary science teaching positions. The personnel division of the New York City Board of Education and local school districts will ensure employment in city schools.