Purpose of position
Assist Vital Signs teachers during the investigation phase of our middle school program. Work with a small team of students to help focus their energy and coach them to find answers to their own questions.
Benefits to you
Support in the field can make all the difference in the value of students' learning experience!
- Engage in a meaningful science- and community-based investigation with kids
- Help students provide scientists and resource managers critical information about native and invasive species in your community
- Build upon and extend this experience within your community
Responsibilities & Tasks
- Respond promptly and enthusiastically to teacher requests for community support
- Arrive early at the students' study site, or follow the bus
- Work directly with student teams, keeping them safe and helping them:
- Focus, stay on-task, and complete datasheets
- Ensure proper handling of cameras and sampling equipment
- Reinforce learning by asking students to explain their work to you
- Ensure that photos do not have student faces in them (for privacy reasons)
Optional Responsibilities & Tasks
- Prior to the field outing, review the datasheets, species identification cards, and sampling methods students will use
- Prior to the field outing, discuss with the teacher what type of assistance they would like you to offer students
- Provide feedback to the teacher on the high and low points of the outing
- Register yourself with the Vital Signs community so you may comment on students' observations once they are published
Necessary Qualifications
- Desire to support students' education experience
- Desire to further the awareness of local ecosystems and native and invasive species in Maine
- Clearance to work directly with middle school students. Clearance must be obtained directly from the teacher, principal, or district depending on school district policy
Training & Support
There is no formal training required. You are encouraged to familiarize yourself with the online field work resources available. Feel free to contact us or post to one of the discussion forums as questions arise.
Time Commitment
The time commitment is generally a half-day, including travel. A typical Vital Signs field investigation takes about 1.5 hours. Dress with the weather and habitat conditions in mind. Break out your cool rubber boots for freshwater and wetland investigations!
