Have you heard about National Lab Day? More than 700 NSTA members have already signed up for it.
It’s a nationwide movement to bring together stakeholders in communities of support where science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) professionals and teachers work together to provide more science experiences to students.
President Obama announced National Lab Day in November as part of the Administration’s Educate to Innovate campaign. More than 6.5 million professionals from 200 STEM organizations are being asked to join NLD, which is tentatively set for May 2010.
Science educators will be critical to the success of National Lab Day. NLD projects are teacher-driven. At the NLD website, teachers will be partnered with outside experts to assess current labs, update or refurbish lab equipment, conduct equipment and materials inventory, or clean and repair equipment. Or teachers can elect to have STEM professionals work with them to:
- Implement hands-on projects,
- Start a fund-raising effort to buy needed supplies,
- Help with science fairs,
- Mentor a student,
- Coordinate and host field trips,
- Provide internship opportunities,
- Donate materials, and
- Assist with lesson plans.
Find out more about NLD at http://www.nationallabday.org/
Tags: community events, outreach, volunteer