The Creative Science program was developed with the goal of influencing high school science learning so that students perceive it as a skill for life, just like reading literature and creative writing. Creative Science involves students representing their understanding of science in generating an artistic/creative product, while being mentored (online) by University students. The program is currently running in grade 8 and 12 classes in the Vancouver and Surrey school districts, with 4 schools signed up to run it in the 2015/2016 school year along with upwards of 50 UBC science students as mentors. Research is being conducted in conjunction with the Creative Science program, using pre and post “Attitudes and Beliefs about Science” questionnaires.
The program is directed by Dr. Niamh Kelly in the Faculty of Medicine and currently managed by Dr. Jane O’Hara, (a Ph.D. scientist interested in science communication). Dr. Deborah Butler, Faculty of Education, is a collaborator on the research arm of this project. With Jane returning to Ireland in the summer we are looking to hire an education graduate student with an interest in science education to replace Jane as project manager and researcher.
The job entails:
- Liaising with teachers and schools involved in the program
- including setting up contact with new teachers and schools in expanding the program
- Growing and managing the mentorship arm of the program
- aided by a volunteer student mentorship coordinator
- Maintaining and expanding the Creative Science website https://createsci.wordpress.com/
- aided by a volunteer student webmaster
- Leading the research arm of the program including, the distribution and collection of pre and post student surveys followed by data analysis and manuscript writing.
Current funding facilitates the hiring of a Graduate Research Assistant for 10 hours per week from September 8th-December 11th (at the going rate of $23/hour or $25/hour for Masters or PhD students respectively). We anticipate renewed funding from NSERC for 2016 which would allow us to extend this hire through 2016.
If you are interested in this opportunity please send a short statement of interest and your CV to Niamh Kelly at: niamh.kelly@ubc.ca by June 12th. This position needs to be filled before the end of June.