The Science Days outreach program provides 4th grade students with the opportunity to explore the sciences in an effort to stimulate their interest in the sciences at an early age. The current program involves over 1000 students and the departments of biology, physics, and chemistry at ASU. Based on the ACS Student Affiliate Web page, less than 10% of ACS Student Affiliate outreach efforts can be classified as interdisciplinary, suggesting that this approach to chemistry outreach is atypical. General audience outreach programs involving unselected students are best suited for elementary-age children who may still have an interest in the sciences. An interdisciplinary approach to the Science Days program was chosen to ensure that we would help kindle an interest in science. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program, other science departments are involved and it is important to share the credit with them for the support and success of the program. Keys to the success of the program include the direct involvement of students and student organizations as well as direct communication with elementary teachers. Teacher and student input have greatly helped in the development of the program as evidenced by the number of participation requests we have received.
Supplement
A letter of explanation for the participating elementary schools, a general schedule for the Science Day, and a feedback form for the elementary school teachers are available.
The "Chemistry Teacher Connection" (CTC) is especially for high school chemistry teachers. For only $40/year, it offers an online-only subscription to CLIC along with membership in the Division of Chemical Education, normally $65/year. CTC subscribers receive access to all articles and supplements from 1996 through the current issue.
Through special arrangement with the ACS, JCE High School CLIC is now able to provide subscribers with online access to Chemical & Engineering News articles that have been selected specifically for secondary science instructors and their students.
Occasionally, collections of JCE back issues become available for donation to individual teachers, schools, or libraries. JCE matches collections with interested recipients. Recipients pay shipping costs or pick up the collection.