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Community Service Bulletin

March 6, 2013

Spotlight

Attend the Education Expo

How will you help the next generation learn? Attend the Education Expo to discover the possibilities.

Thursday, March 14
Opportunities Fair, 2:30-4:30pm
Career Panel, 3:00-4:00pm
Twenty Chimneys & Mezz Lounge

Come to the Education Expo to discover a variety of ways to get involved in the education field, during your time at MIT and after graduation. Browse the fair showcasing education-focused organizations and programs at MIT, attend the panel discussion with professionals working to improve education through teaching and technology, or come to both events!

For more information and a current list of participants, visit http://mit.edu/mitpsc/wheretolook/expo/
Questions? Email servicefair@mit.edu

One-Time Opportunities

Ongoing Opportunities

Fellowship/Internship Opportunities

One-Time Opportunities

Mar 4-6: MIT LEAD Workshops

How to make connections: Networking 3/4/13 7pm

How to get your destination: Teambuilding and Teamwork 3/5/13 7pm

Diversity…Exploring Identity 3/6/13 7pm

Sign up for workshops: http://studentlife.mit.edu/sao/mitlead/develop/signup

Mar 15-17: Volunteers Need: Starlight Invitational Meet at MIT’s Rockwell Gym

Friday session: 11am-9pm, Saturday session: 8am-9pm, Sunday session: 8am- 6pm

Starlight is a three day meet with 900 gymnasts competing from all over the Northeast. It’s a premier event run by Mass Gymnastics Center of Waltham.

We are looking for volunteers to work four hour shifts (one session) from Friday at 10am- Sunday at 6pm. We have a total of 10 sessions and need at least 3 volunteers per session. We’ll work with you on schedules. Volunteers will be working assigned various roles such as event timers, score keepers, hospitality assistants and awards helper.

Melanie Varady, melvarady@rcn.com

Apr 9: Telling Your Story

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 @ 9:00 am - 2:30 pm Where: MIT Campus
Who: Scientists, engineers and grades 9-12 science and technology teachers
The Telling Your Story (TYS) Workshop aims to form collaborations resulting in class- room visits where STEM professionals will “tell the story” of how they became inspired to pursue a STEM career. This is a chance for STEM graduate students, postdocs, and teachers to work together to craft an inspiring, exciting classroom visit that will connect high school students to the real world of science, technology, engineering and math!

Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Registration and more information:
http://sites.google.com/site/tellyourstoryworkshopmit

Apr 27: Annual Spring Clean-Up of Ringer Park in Allston

Refreshment, Lunch, Work Gloves, Tools, etc. provided. Volunteers can work any time between 9:00a.m. - 1:00p.m. Check-In: at the Softball Field! Community Service Letters are available upon request.

Contact: Joan Pasquale, Executive Director, pcbginc@mail.com

Apr 27: Strides Against Stigma

Nickerson Field, Boston University, 10AM – Registration, 11-3PM - Stride-a-thon

Strides Against Stigma is a unique event dedicated to raising awareness of depressive disorders and building a community that will erase the stigma of depression. Unlike a traditional walk-a-thon, participants will spend their day at a single location - Boston University - engaging in a variety of fun, educational, and entertaining activities while counting their strides on pedometers. We are looking for volunteers for multiple positions, please visit our website at www.StridesAgainstStigma.org to register today!

Ongoing Opportunities

Education Designathon

Got an idea that will improve education?

$2,250+ in prizes.
Machining, coding, and systems re-thinking.
Food and energy drinks all night long.

The Education Designathon is a hackathon for coders, builders, and system analysts. No(t just) coding required! Students and staff come together from all over the 'tute to tackle some of the biggest challenges in education and design multi-disciplinary solutions, framed around three spheres: Digital Learning, Hands-on Learning, Systems Re-thinking

Students will form teams of 3-5 and have a machine shop, prototyping materials, and a $50 budget to develop their idea overnight. EdExperts from the field will introduce their challenges from experience and help students develop their ideas.

The best hacks can think across disciplines—
Get inspired by some great contributions.
Check out our EdExperts that will be pitching their education challenges.

Space is limited. Register today! edudesignathon.com

Volunteer Interpreters Program

This is an ongoing, on-call volunteer position. Interest people should email LanguageAccessTeam@Bostonhousing.org or call (617) 988 4032. We provide training to be an interpreter within our organization.

  • Interpret for BHA residents, applicants and/or staff during BHA hearings, eligibility screenings, resident meetings, walk-in inquiries, and phone interviews.
  • Interpret for BHA residents, applicants and/or staff regarding inquiries on housing documents, applications and letters, etc., by phone or in person.
  • Comply with the agency’s rules and regulations.
  • Provide agency staff other language-related assistance as assigned.
  • Attend a mandatory interpreter training and orientation.
  • Serve on an on call basis approximately 10 hrs/ month

Contact: Sheyla Carew, 617-988-4032, LanguageAccessTeam@Bostonhousing.org

Before or After-School Grade 6-8 Tutors

Cambridge School Volunteers (CSV) seeks before or after-school Academic Learning Center tutors in its four middle schools. This is an exciting opportunity to give your time to some local public school students! CSV requires a one or two-hour commitment per week, for the remainder of the semester into May. Choose before-school (8-8:40 am) on Tues, Wed or Thurs; or participate after-school from 3-4:15 pm, Tues, Wed or Thurs, in a quiet, supportive setting for individualized academic assistance. Two of the four middle schools are located ideally for MIT students. Both are within walking distance of campus:
Putnam Ave Upper School, 158 Spring Street; Cambridge Street Upper School, 850 Cambridge Street.

Contact: Martha Osler, 617-349-6794

Volunteer Tutor Opportunity with Upward Bound

The MIT/Wellesley Upward Bound Program is looking for individuals who are able to commit to at least one day per week, with a minimum commitment of 2 hours per day. Volunteers are needed to provide academic assistance in the areas of Math, English, Science, Social Science, and World Language, to disadvantaged high school students in our after school tutorial program. High school level tutoring experience is preferred.

For consideration, please forward a letter of interest and a resume to: upwardbound@mit.edu. For more information, contact Ms. Evette M. Layne at the above email address or at 617-253-5124

Cambridge Community Center STEM Program (Deadline 3/6)

The Cambridge Community Center has been helping people to learn, grow, and connect in the Riverside neighborhood for over 80 years, building community and providing a place for neighbors to meet. In partnership with the MIT Public Service Center we are seeking a coordinator for our new Middle School STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Program. This program will give middle school kids the opportunity to explore STEM activities and ideas under the guidance of MIT students. The Coordinator will work with CCC staff to choose a set of STEM activities, present the material in engaging ways and potentially recruit other MIT students to volunteer! The program is expected to work with about 10 middle school students during the hours of 3:30 – 4:30 one day per week during the spring semester.

This is a paid position for students who qualify for Community Service Work-Study. Please email mcentire@mit.edu with questions or for an application, to be submitted by March 6.

Nominate someone for the Priscilla Gray Award for Public Service (Deadline 3/15)

Nominations are open for the Priscilla King Gray Award for Public Service
Nominate at http://awards.mit.edu by Friday, March 15
Questions? Email psc@mit.edu

This award honors the inspirational contributions Priscilla King Gray has made to public service at MIT. It was established by the Undergraduate Association in cooperation with the Public Service Center. The award recognizes an undergraduate who is exceptionally committed to public service at MIT and its surrounding communities. The recipient clearly demonstrates a personal dedication to social change, prolonged and in-depth involvement and initiative in a leadership capacity.

Fellowship/Internship Opportunities

Apply for a Funded Public Service Fellowships and Internship for the Summer!

Deadline: March 21 at noon

The Fellowships and Internships programs both support MIT students working on capacity-building service projects around the world. Students work with community-focused organizations such as non-profits, schools, and social enterprises.

This summer, we particularly encourage applications for projects in Chile and Colombia. However, we fund projects around the corner in Cambridge, across the US, and around the world. (Note that Colombia is a Moderate Travel Warning country http://informit.mit.edu/epr/3.0travel.html/ so projects in Colombia must show excellent risk management and there are restrictions on project locations and transportation methods)

In both programs, you can:

  • Work by yourself, or as part of a small team
  • Create a project from scratch, or find project ideas and community partners on our website
  • Work locally, nationally, or internationally

Applications for Summer projects must be submitted by noon on March 21.

Find more information about both programs at http://mit.edu/mitpsc/whatwedo/internshipsandfellowships/

Looking for project ideas? Check-out the PSC's opportunities page http://web.mit.edu/opps

Questions? Contact Alison at hynd@mit.edu

The MIT Public Service Center is not responsible for the quality or safety of outside service agencies, and does not screen volunteer placements or projects. The Community Service Opportunities bulletin is published once a week by the staff of the MIT Public Service Center. If you have questions, feel free to call us at 617-253-0742, or stop by 4-104.

To subscribe to or unsubscribe from the email list, please visit mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/psc-volunteers.