Mentors & Role Models

Connecting Mentors & Role Models to Students

Share your expertise and enthusiasm for science! Community Resources for Science connects scientists and engineers to elementary and middle school students and teachers throughout the East Bay, to build scientific literacy and inspire the next generation. We provide comprehensive training, coaching, and support so busy STEM researchers can feel confident as they lead exciting outreach activities. Choose the outreach program that best fits your goals and interests.

Bay Area Scientists Inspiring Students (BASIS)

On a team with peers, delight K-6 students as you lead amazing science lessons.

Be a Scientist

Coach middle school students through the steps of designing, conducting, and communicating about their own science investigations.

Additional Outreach Opportunities

From leading teacher workshops, to giving online science talks, to judging science fair entries, we offer outreach opportunities ranging from one-time to ongoing.

STEM Industry
Employee Engagement

Engage employees in skills-based community service for team building and company visibility.

Broader Impacts: Partnership & Support for Researchers

CRS helps researchers design and implement effective, efficient broader impacts programs.

Outreach Toolkit

Check out resources to help improve your practice in science outreach!

Scientist Outreach has Lasting Impact!

After hosting a BASIS Lesson:

of teachers said BASIS lesson inspired them to teach more science

of kids learned new concepts through hands-on experiments

of kids grew more interested in science

Upcoming Events

Volunteer with BASIS

Bay Area Scientists Inspiring Students (BASIS) is a science and engineering volunteer role model program serving public elementary schools in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, Emeryville, and Pinole. Sign up for an orientation time + date to start volunteering!

Thursday, November 14 (4:00-5:00 pm)
Monday, November 18 (2:00-3:00 pm)
Friday, November 22 (9:00-10:00 am)

What People are Saying

The learning my students did in your class is hands down the best learning they have done this year! I liked how you asked students to make observations and ask questions. The parents are very happy. I feel so privileged to be able to have this partnership with BASIS.

- Richmond Teacher

Yesterday a teacher compared getting a BASIS lesson to getting Hamilton tickets and let me tell you, I felt like a rock star.

-BASIS Scientist

BASIS provides an incredible opportunity for graduate students to get involved in Bay Area STEM. Visiting elementary school classrooms encompasses what I love most about science: the thrill of discovery, designing creative ways to solve problems, and sharing knowledge with others.

-BASIS Scientist

Why Volunteer with CRS?

Grad students who participate in outreach with CRS tell us they gain real world skills in communicating about science and collaborating with peers while also having fun sharing their talents and passion for science and engineering.

“Seeing the “lightbulb” moments as children experience using science to figure something out sparks joy and reminds me why I love science. And CRS makes it so effortless to fit into our busy schedules. I felt confident leading kids in learning thanks to the CRS training.”

The mission of CRS is to empower teachers and STEM professionals serving schools in historically marginalized communities to activate TK-8 students’ curiosity about the world, foster critical thinking, and inspire children to imagine future career pathways. We envision a community of educators, scientists, families and partners working together to build school cultures that equip all children to explore the world around them and build the skills needed to become innovators, problem solvers, environmental stewards, life-long learners and leaders. CRS leads a dynamic network, fostering relationships and collaborations that leverage expertise and resources to transform science teaching and learning toward greater equity, opportunity, and success for all students.

Our goal is simple: help teachers give students more opportunities to “do science” – to ask questions, test ideas, get their hands on real science activities. We need to inspire the next generation of thinkers, makers, problem solvers, and leaders!