The Science Squad Service/Research Project assists with science fairs in Boston and throughout the country.
Looking for an opportunity to take part in meaningful, long-term service in the community? Interested in working with a group of dedicated peers to become experts on a topic? We invite Honors students to consider taking part in a Service/Research Project, sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Service/Research Projects are student-directed group projects that are carried out in close collaboration with community partners. These projects have developed out of the interests of interdisciplinary teams of students who conduct research into how to make their service as beneficial as possible—and then share best practices with others!
Below are brief summaries of this year's opportunities; read the full project descriptions by clicking on each project's name. If you are interested in joining, you can access the application here. Please apply by Thursday, January 12 at noon.
Bits & Bots: This project aims to inspire and motivate primarily underprivileged 3rd-8th grade students in the Boston area to further explore and pursue the STEM fields. We aim to provide a high quality introductory robotics education program, free of charge, to Boston-area students at the Grove Hall site of the Boston Public Library. While providing the educational service, the group will be collecting data on what methods and techniques work best with the target population with the goal of producing tangible conclusions on how to better serve this critical population. On-site volunteers will be conducting lessons on Thursdays from 3 pm to 6 pm during the spring semester.
The DREAM Program: The DREAM Program pairs college students with grade-school children in an effort to empower and encourage them to achieve their dreams and goals. This project works directly with mentors and administration to improve student relationships and implement changes across multiple sites.
Project FIT: This group is dedicated to the well-being of senior citizens in the Boston area. Their curriculum seeks to promote physical activity and a wider range of mobility for participants. They look to strengthen participants' bodies and promote a healthier lifestyle, while incorporating a social component. More than just an exercise program, the group wants to promote the entire well-being of participants through physical, social and emotional interactions. On-site volunteers will be hosting exercise classes on Saturday mornings.
ITAP: The Information Technology Apprenticeship Program (ITAP) focuses on connecting the young people of local, under-served communities within tech hub regions, such as Silicon Valley and Boston, with training and education through a formal apprenticeship program that enables them to be prepared to gain employment in this important sector of the global economy.
Roxbury Rocks!: Our project aims to introduce children from all backgrounds to music and dance education; we believe that exposure to the arts shouldn't be a privilege, but a right! Roxbury Rocks! combines case studies and direct service to design curricula for young students in the neighborhoods surrounding Northeastern's campus. On-site volunteers will be conducting lessons once a week between 4 and 5 pm.
The Science Squad: The science squad is focused on getting young students excited about science. We volunteer in the science department at John D. O'Bryant School of Math and Science. We also volunteer with science fairs around the city and teach experimentation classes at Northeastern's NEPTUN program. Volunteering at John D. O’Bryant will happen on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 1:45 pm to 3 pm
The Southern Poverty Law Center at Northeastern: The Southern Poverty Law Center is an American non-profit legal advocacy group and civil rights memorial center specialized in civil rights litigation, monitoring of national hate groups, and Teaching Tolerance. SPLC at Northeastern is a civic engagement service group which brings civil rights and social justice education to youth groups and schools through Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance curriculum, an anti-bias and common core standard program enriched in writing and inquiry around central social justice texts and multimedia.
STEMventures: This project aims to get kids excited about STEM through after school Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics educational sessions at the Curley K-8 School in Jamaica Plain. STEMventures is partnered with Northeastern’s Center for STEM Education, which provides us with our connection to the Curley School and serves as a valuable resource. On-site volunteers will be conducting lessons on weekdays from 3:30 pm to 5 pm.
Vism: Vism strives to foster a sustainable culture of service and social responsibility in university students through skill‐based volunteerism. Vism connects university students with nonprofits that need their help. Through skill‐based volunteering projects, students gain opportunities to develop their professional skills and talents through real world application while nonprofits gain access to high‐achieving talent and increase their capacity for social impact.