GeoKids LINKS Fellowship Program

Posted by on February 19, 2012

GeoKids LINKS (Learning Integrating Neighborhoods, Kids, and Science) Fellowship Program

This program places M.S. in Biology graduate students into schools as a part of their training in science. Graduate LINKS Fellows receive 12-month stipends of up to $18,000 and a full tuition scholarship.  Fellows work with children’s educators from the Wagner Free Institute of Science and elementary school teachers to develop and present science lessons to children in grades K-6. The lessons are organized into semester-long units, which include Environmental Science themes. Fellows and their SJU faculty mentors serve as content resources for the Wagner educators and the public school teachers, and are role models and teachers for the children. In addition, Wagner educators and public school teachers assist Fellows in becoming familiar with pedagogical methods in K-6 education and with the special educational needs of urban minority children.

No prior experience with K-6 education is required, but reliability, flexibility and a willingness to work as part of a multidisciplinary, multicultural team are necessary.

Fellowship Duties and Activities:
•    Receive training during a workshop in August
•    Be involved in training sessions throughout the academic year
•    Meet weekly with the program staff
•    Lead discussions on topics relevant to their activities
•    Prepare documentation of lessons presented
•    Develop instructional materials
•    Participate in ongoing assessment activities of the program
•    Spend 15 hours per week on their duties, with at least 10 hours in the classroom

For graduate Fellows, these duties replace the lab preparation and teaching duties normally performed as a part of paid assistantships.

Deadline for receipt of applications is March 15.  Early submission is encouraged.  Fellowships for this year will begin on August 15, 2012.

For more information visit the GeoKids LINKS website (http://www.sju.edu/academics/cas/resources/geokidslinks) or to apply use our online application (http://www.sju.edu/academics/cas/resources/geokidslinks/apply.html).

Please note you must also complete the standard SJU Application for Admission to the M.S. in Biology Graduate Program.  This may be requested from the Graduate Admissions office at 610-660-1101 or http://www.sju.edu/academics/programs/graduate.html?page=21