Program Overview
Science Moab’s School to Science program, launched in 2021, pairs Grand County High School (GCHS) juniors and seniors with local and visiting scientists for internships, job shadowing, and other short-term mentorship opportunities through the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at GCHS.
Many GCHS students are underserved and economically disadvantaged, and often lack exposure to scientific careers. To address these needs, the School to Science program creates and coordinates one-on-one internships or job shadowing experiences between students and scientists.
Participating students will gain exposure to scientific careers while increasing their career and college preparedness, self-efficacy, and scientific literacy. Participating scientists will have the opportunity to conduct community outreach, gain valuable mentorship and communication skills, and strengthen their research grant applications.
Scientist Participation
Scientists can choose to either participate in a job-shadowing opportunity or a longer internship.
- Job Shadowing: A job shadow is a work site experience during which a student spends time (typically three to six hours) one-on-one with a scientist, graduate student, or technician, observing daily activities and asking questions about science careers. Job shadowing is a career awareness and exploration activity that allows students to gather information on a wide variety of science career pathways. Such exploration activities help students make informed career decisions and assist them in focusing their studies.
- Internship: During an internship, a student will work with a scientist for a specified period of time, determined by the scientist, to learn about a particular research project or field of study. Internship programs extend formal classroom learning into the field or laboratory.
With support from Science Moab, scientists have the opportunity to participate in student placement; coordinate with the student to determine project logistics and schedules; orient, train, and monitor students; review student work; and consult with Science Moab and/or Grand County’s CTE Coordinator as needed.
Benefits for Scientists
Helping to Inspire the Next Generation of Scientists: The School to Science program provides an invaluable opportunity for scientists to conduct outreach and make a lasting impact on the next generation.
“Broader Impact” on Grant Applications: The School to Science program serves as a “broader impact” on research grant applications for many different granting organizations, including the National Science Foundation. Science Moab works with scientists to include funding for the School to Science program in grant applications to strengthen the application for the scientist and ensure the sustainability of the School to Science program. Science Moab can provide grant language for scientists to include in grant applications.
Honing Mentorship Skills: Participating scientists will be provided a packet of mentorship resources, as well as the opportunity to hone their training and communication skills over the course of the program.
