Biology Outreach Program

Girl raising hand Girl raising hand

photos by Orin Basshoff '04

Celebrating 16 years engaging more than 9,500 public school students in the world of science!

Our program currently serves children in third through sixth grade classrooms, exposing these young students to fun, hands-on experiences with science and creating ongoing partnerships between Reed College and local public schools. Our program provides Reed students opportunities to engage students in the Portland community and to learn about science teaching.

 

More about the program....

 

 

News: Biology Outreach was featured in Portland Public School's district-wide newsletter PPS Pulse.


Are you a Reed student interested in teaching with Biology Outreach? We will be hiring student teachers for Fall 2012.

 

 

For more information about teaching with Outreach: Dowload our position descriptions.

 

 

Contact Kristy Gonyer, Biology Outreach Coordinator, with any questions at gonyerk@reed.edu, or 503-788-6625.

“Outreach has been a defining part of my year at Reed. It increased my love of, and understanding of, science. I learned first hand that teaching someone, particularly a fifth grader, about something is the best way to ensure that you learn it. As a Reedie, I am privileged to receive one of the best educations available, but I take much more pride in the ability to use that education to someone else’s benefit…. Outreach provided a structured environment where I could use my education in the community and I was significantly happier for it.”
-Monica Fraenkel ’10, biochemistry and molecular biology major, Reed College


 

“Since the beginning of this program, we have noticed a dramatic increase in our students’ interest in and understanding of science. In fifth grade, the state of Oregon tests students on their general science knowledge. Mr. Wallace’s class had the highest scores of the three fifth grade classes; the other two were not outreach classrooms. We attribute this stark contrast, in large part, to the content, experiments, discussions, field trips and hand-on scientific experiences provided by the outreach program.”
-Sarah Bennison, teacher, 3rd grade and Sam Wallace, teacher, 5th grade, Lincoln Park Elementary