A new program that will see Science students acting as a bridge between the
university and the community has triggered a response from hundreds of Faculty
of Science student volunteers interested in serving as mentors and hosts both
on campus and in the community.
“We want to create an environment where student ideas and energy have a significant
effect on how the university grows and changes,” says Dean of Science Maria
Klawe. “We also wanted to create a faculty community that spans across disciplines.
I’m thrilled at this level of response — we’ve heard from students in every
department.”
Dubbed the Dean of Science Ambassadors, the group of second- to fourth-year
students will serve as a core team of volunteers for a wide range of activities
including mentoring, promoting science in high schools, hosting visiting groups
of students, giving research demonstrations and helping with high school science
competitions and contests. They will also develop links with employers.
Student ambassadors will receive free workshop training in areas ranging from
public speaking to diversity awareness.
Klawe initially tested the idea with Science students serving as volunteers
with Imagine, UBC’s first-day orientation program. Their endorsement led to
an e-mail message to second-, third- and fourth-year students. More than 500
students expressed an interest in being a Science ambassador.
The program may be unique in Canadian universities, although connecting with
the community is part of the culture in science, according to Klawe.
“Science for society has become a common theme in the last 30 years,” she
says. “These students are eager to celebrate science, to make our work understandable
to the public and to get input on what questions we might be exploring.”
Students will report their activities back to Klawe and program organizers
who include Paul Harrison, associate dean of Science, Julyet Benbaset, director
of the Science One program, Shona Ellis, a sessional lecturer in Botany and
others in Science’s 300-member faculty.
There will likely be some form of recognition for volunteers, says Klawe,
who is building the program around student feedback.
UBC’s Faculty of Science has almost 6,000 undergraduate students.
