From: Nicole Domingues <ndomingues@chemed.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2024 10:56 AM
Subject: Team Coordinator Training Recording & Student Prep Resources
Dear Team Coordinators,
As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to thank you for your dedication to your students and their journey in the You Be The Chemist Challenge®. Your commitment to supporting their STEM growth is something we’re truly grateful for!
To help you and your team prepare, we’re sharing the recording from last week’s Team Coordinator Training. Whether you attended live or couldn’t make it, this will serve as a valuable guide as you move forward: Watch the Training Recording Here
Additionally, we’d like to remind you about the Student Preparation Timeline. This step-by-step guide is designed to help you stay on track and outlines what to complete each month. If you’re just getting started, don’t worry! Many topics repeat, so there’s plenty of time to catch up.
To further support you, our website features a full page of Additional Resources to enhance student engagement. From interactive simulations to engaging content, there are countless ways to help your students apply their knowledge and build confidence.
We’re so thankful to have you as part of the Challenge community and wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy, family, and gratitude.
Best regards,
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From: Nicole Domingues <ndomingues@chemed.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 1:16 PM
Subject: Reminder of Training and Study Guide Updates
Dear Challenge Team Coordinators,
This is a reminder that our Team Coordinator Training is scheduled for November 19 at 4 pm EST. We’ll cover everything you need to help your team prepare for the Regional Challenge.
During this training, we’ll dive into:
- Resource Navigation: A walkthrough of where to find essential materials.
- Regional Challenge Prep: Key steps to get your team ready.
- SPARK Kit Review: An overview of this year’s kit.
- Submission Requirements: A checklist of paperwork and forms you’ll need for your Team Submission.
Challenge Tip:
Don’t forget to check out our new Sustainability section in this year’s Study Guide that introduces students to select UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the diverse career paths linked to sustainability. While not all 17 SDGs are covered in this section, students are encouraged to explore any SDG that resonates with them for their video project. This content, now testable at the Regional Challenges, offers valuable context on how sustainability issues connect to real-world career opportunities. The section is designed to inspire students to think beyond traditional roles and to see the value in a wide range of careers that contribute to sustainability goals.
In addition to exploring sustainability careers, the section also provides insights into educational paths students may pursue after high school. By presenting potential future educational requirements, we aim to help students envision the steps they can take to build their skills for sustainability-focused roles. This new content supports students in identifying relevant careers for the Challenge, where they must feature at least three distinct roles in their startup company proposal. One of these roles must be a position that does not require a college degree, broadening their perspective on the variety of contributions necessary in the workforce.
We look forward to seeing you at the training and supporting your success in this Challenge journey!
Warm regards,
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From: Nicole Domingues <ndomingues@chemed.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2024 4:55 PM
Subject: Tips for Customizing Your Challenge Resources
Hi Challenge Team Coordinators,
We’re excited to see your team’s participation in this year’s You Be The Chemist Challenge®!
To help you better tailor the Challenge to your students’ needs, we wanted to share a few tips on customizing our resources:
- Recruit More Students:
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- Create a Digital Form: Use a tool like Microsoft Forms or Google Forms to create a simple form for students to fill out their information.
- Expand Your Reach: Share this form with other teachers, grade levels, or announcements to recruit more students.
- Include in Available Resources: Add the form to the Recruitment PPT or Classroom poster and allow other people to share it.
- Customize the Challenge Planning Calendar(sample of an old calendar I used when I was a Team Coordinator below):
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- Account for School Holidays: Adjust the Challenge planning calendar to accommodate your school’s holiday schedule.
- Plan After-School Sessions: If you plan to host after-school sessions, add these dates to the calendar.
- Modify the Study Topics or Timeline: Tailor the study topics or video preparation timeline to align with your students’ interests and abilities.
By customizing these resources, you can create a more personalized and engaging Challenge experience for your students.
Please let us know if you have any questions or need further assistance. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Best of luck to your team! We can’t wait to see your success!
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From: Nicole Domingues <ndomingues@chemed.org>
To: Nicole Domingues <ndomingues@chemed.org>
Subject: Team Coordinator Training Recap & Teacher-Parent Partnership
Hello, Challenge Team Coordinators-
Thank you to those who were about to attend last week’s Team Coordinator training! We’ve attached the slide deck from the session, as well as a link to the recording for those who couldn’t join live or would like to review it. You can access the training recording here: https://youtu.be/NUZ0pvmFi9A.
In addition to the resources, we also want to highlight the Teacher-Parent Partnership Initiative. This initiative is designed to help overcome the challenges teachers often face in supporting their students, while leveraging the enthusiasm and support parents are eager to provide. Below is a summary of the initiative:
The Teacher-Parent Partnership Initiative
The Teacher-Parent Partnership is a collaborative model that encourages varying levels of parental involvement to support student success in the You Be The Chemist Challenge.
Awareness Level: Simple Support
Teachers can encourage parents to stay informed about the Challenge by sharing updates through newsletters, emails, or school websites. Simple actions, like discussing the Challenge at home or creating a study-friendly environment, can greatly benefit students.
Engagement Level: Active Participation
Parents can actively assist in their child’s preparation using resources from CEF, such as study guides and practice questions. Teachers can suggest forming study groups to promote collaboration among students.
Leadership Level: Hands-On Involvement
Parents with a background in science or education can volunteer as mentors, conduct mock quizzes, or lead study sessions. This hands-on support can greatly enhance students’ learning experiences and boost their performance.
This partnership helps alleviate some of the burden on teachers while giving parents a chance to engage more deeply with their children’s STEM education. Together, we can create a strong support system around students, empowering them to succeed in the Challenge.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
Best regards,
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