The iBEARS program uses undergraduate students to teach/mentor K-12 students science through video conferencing

Our undergraduate students enroll in an upper-level biology course at Baylor University, and most students have previous research and/or teaching experience. The undergraduates learn mentorship and research best practices and techniques, refining their skills through the program. 

Below is a video series we created to summarize the phases of the program. Phase 1 begins with the undergraduate students meeting their K-12 classes for the first time on Zoom. In Phase 2, K-12 students learn about experimental design. Phase 3 starts with data collection and analysis. The program culminates with phases 4 and 5, where K-12 students present their results and all participants reflect on their participation. 

Phase 1: Undergraduates Meet Their K-12 Classes

Discussion topics include what is a scientist, what is an experiment, are you a scientist, academic journey to college, communities of belonging, and possible ideas for experiments 

Phase 2: Experimental Design

Discussion topics include how to ask questions, potential organisms, potential variables, lab notebooks, experimental set up, mesursements for data collection

Phase 3: Data Collection & Analysis

Discussion topics include graphing, averaging data, and comparing data from different groups 

Phase 4: Presentation of Results

Discussion topics include the parts of a research poster (introduction, methods and materials, results and conclusion, literature cited) 

Phase 5: Reflection