amp (aboriginal mentorship program) guidelines and time table

Let’s Talk Science Presents:

AMP (Aboriginal Mentorship Program)

Guidelines and Time Table

2011-2012

AMP Program Guidelines and Time Table 2

Table of Contents

Introduction and Mission Statement…………………………………………………………………………….3

Program Calendar………………………………………………………………………………………………...4

Curiocity…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………..5

Activity 1 – Classroom Visit and Amp Orientation…………………………...………………………………..6

Activity 2 - Online Mentorship Session in Preparation for the Challenge Day……………………………….7

Activity 3- Challenge Day and Hand Out of Science Fair Topics………………………………….…...……...8

Activity 4 – Online Mentorship in Preparation for Science Fair………………………………………………9

Activity 5 – Classroom Visit and Science Fair Help………………………………………………..…………10

Activity 6 – Online Mentorship in Preparation for Science Fair……………………………………………..11

Activity 7 – Young Aboriginal Scientist Days and Science Fair…………………………………………..12-14

ClearSea Technical Guidelines ……………………………………………………………………………..15-18


Introduction

The Aboriginal Mentorship Program was founded in 2009 in an effort to support Aboriginal students in their

studies and improve their education prospects. Let’s Talk Science volunteers have travelled to regions of

northern Ontario to conduct fun and interactive science activities with students from rural and remote

communities as part of a program called Science Travels. These trips have included visits to some First Nation

Reserve schools. Volunteers were saddened by the lack of resources available to the students. In addition, it has

been shown that the high school graduation rates for First Nation students living on reserve hover around 50%,

much lower than the national average. In response to becoming aware of these facts, the AMP program aims to

increasing student interest in school by bringing resources to classrooms, engaging the students in fun science

experiments, scientific challenges online chats with current university students and culminating in a science fair

and visit to the university of Ottawa.

Mission Statement

A major hurdle for many aboriginal students in obtaining their high school diploma is successful completion of

mandatory science course requirements. The goal of AMP is not to make every student a scientist, but to

increase their interest in science and school by connecting them with young science graduate and doctorate

students from the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. By creating a one on one connection with a real

working scientist, the AMP program strives to provide each participant with the encouragement and resources

needed to succeed in an academic environment.


Curiocity

This year, Let’s Talk Science developed a website called CurioCity (www.curiocity.ca). CurioCity is an

interactive, web-based meeting place where teens can connect with post-secondary students and science

professionals to explore and discover the science, engineering and technology behind everyday life.

Featuring insightful articles and videos that cover topics relevant to 13- to 17-year-olds – such as current events,

health issues, technology, entertainment, sports and the environment – CurioCity is a wealth of interesting,

accurate and credible information.

Through the community, users can ask questions, get help with homework and learn about science-related

careers. Educators can join the community to access a variety of learning strategies, including opportunities for

collaboration, which support the use of CurioCity with students and for professional learning.

CurioCity houses a microsite for AMP (www.curiocity.ca/amp). This microsite can be used by students and

educators to learn about AMP. It is also where mentorees and mentors can be in touch on a regular basis. There

will be an ongoing chat available where mentorees can pose questions or write comments for the mentors to

respond to. There will also be several discussion boards on various topics where the mentorees and mentors can

communicate about upcoming activities, the challenge day, and the science fair. AMP at Curiocity will provide

an open, ongoing communication between the mentors and mentorees.


2011-2012 AMP Program Calendar

16 Orientation and Activities Day

20 First Online Mentoring

DECEMBER ‘11

S M T W Th F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

JANUARY ‘12

S M T W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

17 Second Online Mentoring

27 The Challenge

7 Third Online Mentoring

21 Forth Online Mentoring

FEBRUARY ‘12

S M T W Th F S

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29

MARCH ‘12

S M T W Th F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

23 Science Fair Help and

Activities Day

3 Fifth Online Mentoring

17 Final Online Mentoring

APRIL ‘12

S M T W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

MAY ‘12

S M T W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

16-18 Science Fair and Young

Scientist Week


AMP activity #1

Friday, December 16th

, 2011

Orientation and Activities at Your School

We will be at your school for the whole day (4 periods). Three periods will be devoted to hands on science

activities in our volunteer’s fields of expertise. Any/all students are welcome. One period will be an orientation

session for the 12 students from your school chosen to participate in the AMP program.

Please help us plan our visit to your school by filling in this schedule. Please fill in the 3 periods in which you

would like the activities meant for a larger audience and the 1 period you would like devoted to the AMP

program orientation. Please fill in the times of each period so we can better plan our trip.

Please send to Beckie Granatstein once complete (email: [email protected] or fax: 613-562-5285).

Period

1.

Start:

End:

Grade:

# students in class:

Room number:

Teacher’s name:

Will a projector (PowerPoint) be available? Y N

2.

Start:

End:

Grade and Subject:


Room number:

Teacher’s name:


Start:

End:

Lunch

3.

Start:

End:

Grade and Subject:


Room number:

Teacher’s name:


4.

Start:

End:

Grade and Subject:


Room number:

Teacher’s name:


mailto:[email protected]


AMP activity #2

Tuesday, December 20th

, 2011 and Tuesday, January 17th

, 2012

Online Mentoring Sessions

Prior to session, VROC must be downloaded to each computer being used

during these sessions! See attached form for instructions on installing VROC.

When: At some point on December 20th

and January 17th

, (could be after school

as to not disrupt the school day) our mentors will set up online mentoring

sessions with the mentorees.

How: The AMP program will pair with Curiocity.ca to provide online video

chats between the AMP mentors and mentorees.

What: Prior to this online meeting, mentorees will be provided with a small

booklet, outlining the research of each graduate student which will form the

basis of these sessions. The mentorees will use these sessions to gain insight into

the mentors’ research, interest and career paths. This background information

on the mentors will serve as the basis for the quiz portion of challenge day.

Three mentorees at a time will spend 15 minutes with each mentor, asking each

mentor questions about their career, research and interests. The mentorees will

rotate between each of the mentors until they have spent 15 minutes with each

mentor asking them questions and taking notes.

This activity will last one hour and require 4 computers be set up to the online

program at the same time.


AMP activity #3

Friday, January 27th, 2011

The Challenge

Start:

End:

Individual Building Challenge

Individuals will compete in a solo challenge.

Start:

End:

Break

Start:

End:

Quiz

Mentorees will be questioned based on

information provided by volunteer on

research, career, interests, etc...

Start:

End:

Lunch

Start:

End:

Team Building

Mentorees will work within a team to complete

a challenge

Start:

End:

Break

Start:

End:

Science Fair Introduction

Mentorees will be given topics and be able to

find a volunteer in their field of interest to help

them with their project


AMP activity #4

Tuesday, February 7th and Tuesday, February21st

Online Mentoring Sessions

When: At some point on February 7th

and February 21st (could be after school

as to not disrupt the school day) our volunteers will set up online mentoring

sessions with the mentorees.


chats with the AMP mentors and mentorees.

What: The mentorees can use this time to discuss their science fair project with

their mentor. These sessions will be centered on preparing the mentoree for the

science fair.


AMP activity #5

Friday, March 30th

, 2011

Science Fair Help and Activities at Your School

We will be at your school for the whole day (4 periods). Three periods will be devoted to hands on science

activities in our volunteer’s fields of expertise. Any/all students are welcome. One period will be devoted to

helping the AMP students prepare for the science fair.

Please help us plan our visit to your school by filling in this schedule. Please fill in the 3 periods in which you

would like the activities meant for a larger audience and the 1 period you would like devoted to the AMP

program Science Fair preparation. Please fill in the times of each period so we can better plan our trip.

Please send to Beckie Granatstein once complete (email: [email protected] or fax: 613-562-5285).

Period

1.

Start:

End:

Grade:


Room number:

Teacher’s name:


2.

Start:

End:

Grade and Subject:


Room number:

Teacher’s name:


Start:

End:

Lunch

3.

Start:

End:

Grade and Subject:


Room number:

Teacher’s name:


4.

Start:

End:

Grade and Subject:


Room number:

Teacher’s name:


mailto:[email protected]


AMP activity #6

Tuesday, April 3rd

and Tuesday, April 17th

Final Online Mentoring Sessions before the Science Fair

When: At some point on April 3rd

and April 17th

(could be after school as to not

disrupt the school day) our volunteers will set up online mentoring sessions

with the mentorees.


chats between the AMP mentors and mentorees.

What: The mentorees can use this time to discuss their science fair project with

their mentor. These sessions will be centered on preparing the mentoree for the

science fair.

This will be the last chance for the AMP students to discuss their science fair

with our volunteers.


AMP activity #6

Friday, May 16-18th

Science Fair at the University of Ottawa

As part of the:

2-Day Young Aboriginal Scientist Program!

Who?

The participants will be primarily participants of the Aboriginal Student Mentorship Program. Other Aboriginal

students from a school in Montreal may participate. A maximum of 24 high school students and 6 educator-

chaperones will be accepted in the program.

When?

Wednesday, May 16 to Friday, May 18th, 2012

It is anticipated that students and chaperones will travel to the University of Ottawa on the afternoon of

Wednesday, May 16th

and depart at the end of the afternoon on Friday, May 18th

. Accommodations will be

provided on May 16th

and 17th

. If the student does not choose to arrive on the morning of May 17th

, they may

arrive before the commencement of the lab experiments at 9 am on May 17th

. A variety of science workshops

and other activities will take place at the university during these two days, including: laboratory experiments,

meetings with student mentors and demonstrations that are intended to enhance student understanding and

enjoyment of science and possible science careers.

Where?

Most workshops and activities will take place in the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering at the

University of Ottawa.

What?

Much of each day will be dedicated to experiences in research laboratories where students will be exposed to

state-of-the-art technologies and experiments. Students will be supervised by professors and graduate students

who will provide the guidance and resources to enable the students to be actively involved in laboratory

activities. The draft agenda for two days follows in the coming pages.


Language: The University of Ottawa is a multicultural and officially bilingual university that offers science

programs in both French and English. As much as possible, the workshops and other activities during the

Aboriginal Student Scientist Program will be delivered in the language(s) of preference identified by the

participants on their registration form.

Expectations for the visiting students: Visiting youth will be expected to participate in all organized activities,

and will be encouraged to make a daily record of their experiences. All participants are expected to behave in a

manner that helps to maintain their own health safety, as well as the health and safety of the other participants of

this program.

Cost: There is no charge to the students or teacher-chaperones for their participation in the Young Aboriginal

Scientist Program activities. We are very grateful to the program sponsors who have provided the funds to pay

the costs accommodations, meals, and all lab and program activities for the 24 students and 6 teacher-

chaperones.

Travel: Costs associated with travel to and from Ottawa are not covered by Science Travels.

Accommodations: Reservations will be made on the main campus of the University of Ottawa. Boys and girls

will be on separate floors, and most students will be accommodated two per room. Chaperones will each have

their own room. There is a common washroom on each floor. Please note that towels are not provided.

Registration:

To apply for participation in the Aboriginal Student Scientist Program, each student must complete a registration

form. Students must have the form co-signed by a parent or legal guardian. Deadline for submission of the

registration form is April 16th

, 2012. Registered participants will be contacted by the Science Travels program

administrator who will assist with the travel and logistical arrangements.

Draft Schedule:

Time May 16 – Day 1

5:00 –

6:00

Arrival of AMP participants

Meet in lobby of Stanton Hall

6:00 –

7:00

Welcome/campus tour and scavenger hunt

7:00 –

8:30

Dinner



8:00 –

9:00

Arrival of other participants

8:00 –

8:50

Breakfast

8:50 Meet in lobby of Stanton Hall for a guided walk from Stanton Hall to the

science lab

9:00 –

12:00 Lab Tour with Hands on Activity

12:15-

12:25

Science Fair Set Up

12:25-

12:50

Science Fair Walk Around and Lunch

All participants will get a chance to walk around the various projects

12:50-

1:50

Science Fair Presentations and Judging

2:50-

3:10

Break – walk to Aboriginal Resource Center

University Centre (2nd Floor - room 215D)

3:10 –

3:55

Aboriginal Resource Center

Pat Lacroix: campus life/mentors/grants

4:00-


5:00 -

5:15

Break

Get ready for dinner/evening!

5:30 –

7:00

Dinner at Tucker’s Marketplace and Science Fair Awards

7:00 -

8:30

Tour around Ottawa


8:00 –

8:50

Breakfast

9:00 –


12:00 –

1:00

Lunch

1:00 –


2:15 –

3:00

Break

3:00 –

4:00

Debrief and Departure / Evaluations


ClearSea Technical Guidelines

Document Purpose: To assist end users with installing and configuring the ClearSea

videoconferencing capability on a computer and/or laptop.

Specifications:

1. Generally desktops perform better than laptops

2. MACs generally handle the audio better than PCs

3. The newer the system the better

4. For audio, a headset is recommended with a mic

5. Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP/2003/Vista/7 (including 64 bit versions),

DirectX 9.0c or higher • Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or higher

6. Minimum Requirements: P4 @ 2.0 Ghz (audio/high-res video calls); Core 2 Duo

class, 2.33 GHz (H.264, 720p videocalls); Core 2 Quad class, 2.66 GHz (H.264,

1080p videocalls); 1GB RAM and 30MB hard-disk space

Instructions for installation:

1. Ensure you have a working webcam and headset (or good audio solution) installed.

2. Go to http://clearsea.vroc.ca and download and install the appropriate client for your

system. i.e. Mac v. PC


3. When prompted for a username and password enter the username and password

provided to you by VROC as well as the ClearSea server address: ClearSea.vroc.ca


4. If you wish, you may keep the default settings when the “First run configuration”

window appears. To do so, click on the “Network & Protocols” tab, and then click

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5. Launch ClearSea and place a test call to 142.55.77.14 to see if you can place an

outgoing call from within ClearSea. Alternatively, you can call Mike McMillan at

VROC to test your connection. To call Mike, just hover over his name and click the

call button that appears.

Remember: 1. If you are in an institution that doesn’t allow you to install software you will have to

consult your I.T. department

2. Your institutions firewall may not allow the call to go through. VROC technicians will

work with your I.T. Department to make it work. Call the number below to get help.

Not working? Call Virtual Researcher On Call (VROC) tech support below to assist!

Technical Support: 519-433-7866 x4

amp (aboriginal mentorship program) guidelines and time table

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