Staff

We wrapped up the first week at Gateway Homeless Services today. We began teaching late last week so we've had some extra time to get to know our group. It's a small group of kids who are coming but they are having a blast. We've built our terrariums already and once we get the supplies we'll be moving forward with the aquarium piece of our ecocolumns. There's been some adjustments to the curriculum based on the ages of the regular participants and we've already learned valuable lessons about classroom management and self control. I'm really proud of this group of teens. They went into a situation with which most of them were unfamiliar, and have been able to handle themselves like mature young men and women. They're also developing relationships with the youth who come to class. One of the most important things I've noticed so far is how hard they are working to make sure they support each other as a team. During our daily debriefing sessions they always point out what good things they saw each other doing and offer teaching tips to each other for areas of improvement. Go team!

I'm pretty excited about this summer's program! I've got a group of really strong, dedicated teens who I think are going to make a real impact on the youth we're working with off site this summer. We're going to be teaching Ecosystems, intergrating Math and Literacy into our curriculum via After School Math Plus and Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading. Meghan (she's my coworker at the site) will be working on a research project with the teens and the youth at the site revolving around pollution and its enviornmental effects in neighborhoods. In related news...I was recognized by a young student in public the other day for being "one of those Science Center people" who taught at a particular school last summer. Our program must really be making impressions. :)

It might not make staff picture of the week (Cindy!) but this week I was volunteered to be "arrested" for a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I was picked up in the Taylor lobby in a car by a fireman, handcuffed, dressed in stripes, and hauled off to the Hill where I had to try and make bail! They took pity on me and drove me back here ( in a limo!!)  after serving some time. Thank you to everyone who helped me to raise money for the youth in St. Louis!

I think I look good in black and white!! :)

April 26th was the last weekend of Learning Labs for the spring 2008 semester and City Science teens spent the day finalizing their presentations on semester projects. Teens worked very hard to create poster presentations and interactive activities to demoonstrate what material they have spent the semester learning. Presentations were on topics such as the Caracal Cat, Lipids, Proteins, Sugars, Starches, other Food Nutrients, Food Borne Illnesses, Home Decor and Design, and the Candy Lab.

 

Click here for more photos from this week's final lab and presentations.

 

Last week in City Science, teens worked in their groups to prepare presentations regarding their spring semester projects in the YES program. City Science A and B will present to each other during the last period of learning labs on April 26th. Teens will also lead the groups in activities related to their semester projects. Check out photos below of teens preparing to present!

 

Click READ MORE to uncover information about the MLK Dream Keeper's Fair, which our teens attended after preparing their presentations...and as always, click here to viewmore photos from this week!

  

Juniors and Seniors role-played potential roommate conflicts this weekend during College Prep. The activity was designed to get teens thinking about living on a college campus and the different types of students one may encounter. Teens acted out scenarios with Popular Pat, Homesick Henry, and others!

 

Freshmen and Sophomores took a break from resume development to relax. Part of being a successful college student is knowing what stresses you out and how to handle that stress. The teens participated in stretching activities, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided meditation. These are just examples of emthods people can use to relax.

If you have any questions about College Prep, please email me at tmulhall@slsc.org and click here to view more photos from this week!