Carol Mirenda: STEM Connections through a 5th Grade Lens

April 2021 Carol Mirenda joined the CRS community in July 2020. A retired scientist in molecular and cellular biology fields, Carol’s background spans both academia and the private sector. This spring, Carol was selected as an Inspiration Honoree for 200,000 Students Inspired Celebration in May 2021 for her work during the pandemic. Who or what inspired you to do biology […]

Tips & Tricks for Virtual Teaching

October 2020 After teaching lessons in a virtual format we’ve learned a bunch from what has been working and what has not in our local virtual classrooms. We’ve compiled a list of the best tips and tricks for virtual teaching. Set up Ground Rules Before Teaching We like to set up some norms for the virtual classroom before teaching so […]

Julie Fornaciari: Renewable Energy and Education Outreach

March 2020  Julie is a chemical engineering PhD candidate at UCB and a team leader & steering committee member for Bay Area Scientists in Schools! She has also worked with CRS through Keeping Students Engaged in Science (KSES), volunteered at various science fairs, Dinner with a Scientist, and other one-off science activities around the Bay Area. How did you wind […]

Volunteer Spotlight: Jade Fostvedt

Jade is a third year graduate student studying inorganic chemistry at UC Berkeley. She synthesizes molecules containing transition metals and uses them to turn abundant gas molecules, like carbon dioxide, into useful products. She has been volunteering with BASIS since 2017, teaching the second grade lessons “What’s the Matter with Gas?” and “CheMystery Liquids.” In addition to her work with BASIS, […]

Volunteer Spotlight: Justin Yim

We spotlight Justin Yim, a 4th year PhD student in electrical engineering at UC Berkeley, who works on a small robot named Salto. Justin coordinates science outreach in his department as a member of our BASIS Steering Committee. His contagious excitement for science shows in his life and teaching! Enjoy this spotlight on his science journey!