Questions?
Read through our FAQs! If our answers do not answer your question, please email us directly at [email protected].
What is Sigma Xi?
- Sigma Xi is a nationally recognized scientific research honor society. The chapter at Northeastern University was re-opened in 2019 and is run by undergraduate students.
How did Think Like a Scientist! Start?
- Think Like a Scientist! was started in 2019 after the Northeastern University chapter of Sigma Xi was re-opened.
- This program is undergrad-run! It is being funded by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, through Northeastern University's Bridge Builder PEAK Award.
Who can be a mentor?
- We encourage students of all backgrounds and interests to apply to be a mentor!
- We ask that applicants have an interest in STEM subjects and enjoy teaching young students in an interactive environment.
- If you are studying to be a teacher, becoming a mentor with Sigma Xi can be counted as experiential hours!
What does it mean to be a mentor?
- Becoming a mentor is much more than simply volunteering--as a mentor, you will receive training in teaching, participate in sustained scientific outreach, commit to engaging in a community, and gain experience working in continued community service.
What populations do we work with?
- We are working with two community partners - Sr. Mary Hart Children's Program at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, and BCYF Shelburne Community Center.
- Each week, we meet with K-4th grade students from both of these sites.
What is our curriculum?
- We look to provide a story-centered curriculum where we begin each activity with a narrative of an inspiring scientist from a diverse background.
- Then, we lead students through a hands-on, exploratory experiment relating to that scientist's work.
- We look to emphasize creativity and problem-solving rather than creating a procedural activity that students have to follow step-by-step.
- Through this approach, we hope to foster an environment that mimics the real world scientific process, where all students can feel confident to develop and share their ideas.
What activities have we done in the past?
- We've done a variety of experiments introducing the students to different aspects of biology, chemistry, and physics. Below are some of our favorites from the Fall 2022 semester!