YouthTEACH2Learn

Selected Findings

Background Information
The High School Science Docent program provides high school students the opportunity to explore a career in teaching as they develop and teach standards-based science lessons to elementary school students.� High School students have the option to receive 3 units of transferable college credit through Cal State Fullerton. In Spring 2009, students had the opportunity to compete for $36,000 in scholarships.�

These findings are from the 161 participants representing 7 local high schools in Orange and Los Angeles Counties (May 08). 82% of the responding students are in 12th grade and primarily female (76%).� 96% report they will be attending college - 4yr or community.� Students report they will pursue education/teaching (38%), science (20%) or math (7%) related degrees.

55% of the students report they are more interested in teaching as a result of participating in the docent program

The High School Science Docent Program influences students' career and college decisions:

"The Science Docent Program influenced me to go to college by me understand the importance of attending."
� 11th grade girl, Estancia High School

"Being involved with the Docent Program has greatly swayed my choice in becoming a teacher."��
� 12th grade boy, Trabuco Hills High School

"My involvement in the Science Docent Program influenced my college and career choice because it gave me an idea of how I would do as a teacher and if I was still interested in teaching."
� 11th grade girl, Estancia High School

The High School Science Docent Program provides students with practical career experience:

"After interacting with the kids, I find myself feeling more motivated
to pursue a career in teaching."

"I learned how to speak in front of people, get places on time and work with other people."

"Having the students rely on me, encouraged me to go the extra mile to present lessons that were interesting and exciting"

" I used to be afraid to speak in front of a group, but now it is second nature to me"

"The most important things I learned from participating in the docent program is that you really need to be organized; you can't have your emotions on your mind when you teach, and you have to be a good team player or else you won't have a team."

Students report they:

Learn practical skills related to teaching: developing a lesson plan (89%), using my science knowledge to develop a lesson (73%), discussing lesson ideas (69%) and ways to make them interesting (72%), evaluating the results of a lesson before teaching it again (66%) and managing a classroom of students (85%).
Gain valuable life-skills: presentation and public speaking skills (88%), working on a team (87%), organizational skills (86%), leadership (77%), meeting deadlines (76%), and managing multiple tasks (76%).