Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I get Student Service Hours credit for volunteering with the USA Science & Engineering Festival?
Yes, students can get credit for volunteering at the EXPO and get volunteer credit for their school. Students in Montgomery County can get SSL credits for the EXPO weekend shifts, and we are working on certification for X-‐STEM Ambassadors through their schools.
X-STEM School Ambassador Frequently Asked Questions:
I’m a homeschooler, can I participate as an X-STEM School?
Yes, many homeschoolers participate in co-ops and one-day schools which can be recognized as X-STEM Schools. Homeschoolers are asked to demonstrate their X-STEM School activities to their community through STEM events, festivals, and STEM competitions. X-STEM Homeschools should participate in community outreach to school libraries, community centers, or other public events.
As an adult, how do I select an X-STEM Student School Coordinator?
Look for students who love Science, Technology, Engineering or Math and could benefit by promoting other students in their school. The X-STEM School coordinator will help manage and direct the other student, and does not have to be the most motivated STEM student, but is a good manager of people. The X-STEM School Coordinator needs to be able to reach out to other students and ask them to participate in the X-STEM School program. An adult coordinator can select several students, but suggest that the students select several delegates on their team.
As a student, who should I ask to be my X-STEM Coordinator adult sponsor?
Students should start by asking their favorite teacher, science teacher, principal, or other administrator. This adult sponsor will help promote your activities to the school. The sponsor can be given the title X-STEM School Coordinator, but more importantly they are there to guide you. This sponsor is one who you want to champion your causes for the X-STEM School program, and eventually can help you with certification of your accomplishments for college applications and other academic awards.
Can I sent up an X-STEM School Ambassador Club?
Yes, the X-STEM Ambassadors are encouraged to set up X-STEM School Clubs, with the 5-6 X-STEM School Ambassadors leading the activities. Truly active schools might consider several X-STEM School Co-Coordinators to expand the Ambassador Team. Each X-STEM School Coordinator is responsible for 5 student Delegates (Ambassadors) which they will certify accomplishments.
Can I have a class all be delegates for the X-STEM School program?
The X-STEM School Program is designed to create student leadership. The free tickets are awarded to the top students who demonstrate significant leadership. An X-STEM Delegate is part of the X-STEM Ambassador Team and must complete significant accomplishment to receive the tickets. An X-STEM School Coordinator or Co-Coordinators, should look for a fundraising opportunity to bring a group of students who are not delegates to the X-STEM Symposium and Sneak Peek Friday through fundraising and other activities. X-STEM Symposium tickets are $15/per student and Sneak Peek Friday is free to all students. Scholarship grants will be available to X-STEM Schools with significant accomplishments for additional X-STEM Symposium tickets.
Can there be more than one X-STEM School Coordinator at a school?
Yes, we ask that each school have a student/adult coordinator partnership. More than one student can sign up to be an X-STEM Student Coordinator. Each X-STEM Student Coordinator will be responsible for 5 delegates. The X-STEM Student Coordinators are asked to work together to be Co-coordinators of the X-STEM Ambassador Team.
Should I set up an X-STEM School Ambassador Team if I’m graduating this year to go to college or another school?
Yes, please set up your X-STEM Ambassador Team, but make sure at least one of your delegates will be at the school in the next school year. Ensure that the delegate is willing to take on the role of X-STEM Coordinator, or look for another one before the school year ends.
How do we write our X-STEM School Goal or Mission Statement?
The first step to do is brainstorm what STEM activities the group is most interested in creating or expanding. The Festival website has a list of partner organizations who are exhibitors that might spur some ideas. Your group could choose robotics, science bowl or olympiad, our video contest, or a math contest. Perhaps you’d like to set up a STEM night at your school, or invite a parent STEM leader in to speak to your class.
Can you give me an example of a mission, goal or vision statement?
We want you to create a plan in writing. The words can be formatted as a mission, goal or vision, but as something that demonstrates the STEM program your group plans to develop. You may include an existing STEM mission statement written by your school (if one exists), but we want to make sure your X-STEM Ambassador Team statement is also included.
X-STEM Ambassadors for XXX will create a ..... program to .......
We will use ..... program.
We will participate in ...... contest
We will start a ...... team
We will create a .....
We will partner with..... organization.
Where can we look for ideas for our X-STEM School goals?
Look at the Festival exhibitors to get inspired. http://www.usasciencefestival.org/2014-festival/2014-exhibits.html We will have additional resources on the Resources page as the X-STEM School program grows.
