New Programs to Meet a Known Demand
In addition to existing education programs, the Foundation has designed a comprehensive set of programs that will nurture US students for scientific leadership and promote international understanding and communication among future scientific colleagues. Some of these programs will enhance and update US science teaching skills, while others will honor and stimulate young students. The new programming will impact students and teachers from around the nation and around the globe. The Foundation will continue to offer the National Youth Science Camp and build on the strengths developed in the more than four decades of NYSC's operation with the implementation of new programs.
Plans Are Worth Implementing
Benefits To Students And Science Educators in America
The Foundation's proposed programs will motivate youth and teachers of science to improve US science education, just as the National Youth Science Camp has motivated youth to develop to their full potential. These programs present an environment for teachers and students to form contacts that will offer important collaborative opportunities among the community of scientists.
Students and teachers, in a survey conducted by the National Youth Science Foundation for outside review of its proposed and existing programming, expressed a high level of interest in the programs. 650 top high school students in science and math and 400 science teachers responded to the request for input into the Foundation's programming. Half of the teachers felt their best students would be interested in NYSC and wanted to send these students to a program like NYSC. And 40% of the best science and math students expressed interest in attending NYSC. In addition, educational experts predict a high probability of success for the proposed new programming. These programs, with adequate financial support for planning and implementation, can become a reality for students and teachers and will enhance their ability to contribute significantly and positively in the world community.
For nearly half a century, the National Youth Science Camp has challenged young scientists in this country to make a difference. It is time to expand this initiative allowing more students to benefit and be better prepared to work with their counterparts around the world.
In an effort to meet other needs in science education in the United States and abroad, and to promote understanding and communication among future scientific colleagues, the Foundation has designed several new programs. These include:
National Center for Youth Science Education
The Foundation, with input from alumni, educators and architects, has developed a plan to construct a facility to house new programs for teachers and students. The proposed Center will be an energy-saving residential community capable of housing up to 250 students and an adequate number of staff members and visiting scientists. It will be constructed in a location chosen for natural attributes that promote program objectives. The quality of the diverse natural environment will be preserved for environmental observational research. The proposed Center will become a focal point for informal science education, one that will encourage and inspire youth to pursue scientific careers. The Foundation is seeking commitments for funding to build the facility. Companies and foundations are asked to become investors with West Virginia and the federal government in the funding of this facility segment by segment so as to give appropriate recognition to those who invest.
Youth Science Discovery Camps
Short in-residence sessions for teachers and students designed to focus on specific scientific studies. The WV Governor's School for Mathematics and Science is based on this model.
West Virginia Youth Science Camp
A two-week program for two students from each county in West Virginia.
National Science Teaching Institute
Multi-week programs designed to introduce teachers and educational administrators to new science information and innovative teaching techniques.
Community Science Seminars
Public-interest lectures and seminars held in West Virginia's Greater Kanawha Valley region and shared with remote student audiences via interactive videoconferencing technology.