Instructor

STEM-Out & Clubes de Ciencia Mexico 2023

Mentors

Fernando Flores-Guzman, PhD Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago
Sonia Hernandez, PhD Research Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago
Oscar Pineda-Catalan, PhD Assistant Senior Instructional Professor, University of Chicago

Background

Are you interested in developing communication and teaching skills in a different cultural context by interacting with other young scientists, students, and university hosts in Mexico?

STEM-Out Mexico partners with Clubes de Ciencia Mexico (CdCMx), a non-profit organization that seeks to expand access to high-quality science education and to inspire and guide the future generation of scientists and innovators in Mexico through international scientific networks. Together, we offer free summer workshops called “Clubes de Ciencia” for high school and undergrad students. A “club” is an intensive practical course in science, engineering, technology, or mathematics, designed and delivered by volunteer scientists, including professors, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students. CdeCMx pairs a foreign-based science instructor and a Mexico-based instructor to design and implement a club during Science Clubs week, an intensive week-long event with hands-on workshops on cutting-edge scientific topics, social activities, and networking opportunities. This year the host cities will be Oaxaca, Merida, Monterrey, La Paz, Ensenada, Guadalajara, Xalapa, Chihuahua and Guanajuato.

Externship Description

We are looking for instructors: graduate students and postdocs in STEM-related fields interested in sharing their knowledge with the new generations. Instructors will introduce Mexican students to cutting-edge scientific topics by implementing a mix of experimental, computational, and theoretical activities. The club topic will be collaboratively developed with a Mexican co-instructor during Spring Quarter 2023 and implemented in Mexico in August 2023; all travel expenses will be covered, including supplies for the workshops.

WHY? You will make a powerful impact on emerging talent and create lifelong bonds of camaraderie. Through your knowledge, experiences, and passion in your field of study, students will learn not only from your technical or scientific expertise, but it also makes their scientific pursuit much more tangible by looking to the instructor as a mentor.

Objectives

• Participate in weekly zoom meetings with co-instructor to develop workshop.
• Develop learning objectives, outcomes, activities and required materials.
• Participate in bi-weekly zoom progress meetings with program mentors.
• Attend Science Clubs week in Mexico at the beginning of August (Sunday to Saturday) in one of the host cities.

Qualifications

Speaking Spanish is not mandatory, but it is desirable to have basic knowledge of the language to facilitate communication.

This application is separate from other myCHOICE externship applications, requires different application materials, and uses a separate application site. To apply, please follow this LINK. If you have any issues accessing and/or submitting the Clubes de Ciencia application, please contact Dr. Fernando Flores: ffloresguzman@UCHICAGO.EDU