Founded with a mission to introduce elementary school students to investigative science and methodical inquiry, Science Alliance pairs motivated elementary school students with high school mentors (from Monte Vista, San Ramon Valley, Dougherty Valley, & California High Schools), who teach the scientific process while guiding the students through original science fair projects. Both the kids and mentors commit to this yearlong program that helps prepare the kids for middle and high school lab science and gives the mentors the opportunity to act as positive role models for younger students.

          Science Alliance holds meetings once a month for the mentors and buddies to meet and discuss and work on their experiments. Each get-together has a fun activity and delicious snack provided. The big finale is the April Science Extravaganza which includes the actual science fair, exciting activity stations, special presentations , and the highly anticipated awards ceremony. We encourage all 5th graders, whether they are required to do a science fair project by their teacher or not, to participate. Science Alliance is also a great opportunity for high schoolers who are passionate about science and love kids to do a great community service project. Overall, Science Alliance is a super fun experience that is rewarding to everyone involved.

          We currently have an extensive list of elementary schools that participate in the Science Alliance program. However, due to high demand and a large number of sign-ups every year, enrollment is limited!

Brief Program Overview

• Each fifth-grade buddy will work one-on-one with a high school mentor.

• The mentor will guide the buddy through the scientific process over the course of the school year.

• Buddies will work on their project independently at home and with their mentor at meetings.

  • Parents will aid the buddy without completing the project for them.

• At each meeting, the mentor will set goals for the buddy to complete at home.

  • Buddies are expected to complete these goals before the next meeting (roughly 1-2 hours).

• Mentors will check-in twice in between meetings via email.

  • Parents should encourage their buddy to check their email and ask questions.

• Buddies will present their project at the Science Alliance Fair on April 13th.