ACS Science Coaches–Application Process
Step 1. Partner with a Teacher
Together, a chemist and teacher make a great team for the ACS Science Coaches program! Chemists are skilled in the real-world application of science, and teachers are proficient in the creation of learning opportunities for students.
Partnerships should be customized to meet the needs of the teacher while capitalizing on the chemist's expertise and interests. Prior to applying to the program, chemists and teachers should plan how they will work together.
Step 2. Sign Up
To sign up for the ACS Science Coaches program, the chemist must initiate the application process by completing a short form with the following information:
- Chemist's contact information
- Teacher’s contact information
- How the chemist plans to assist the teacher
- Chemist's motivation for helping at a school
Upon completion of the chemist's application, the teacher receives a link to the remainder of the application. The following information is requested:
- School contact information
- Grade levels and courses being taught
- Plans with the chemist
- Motivation for accepting the chemist’s offer of assistance
Step 3. Proposal Evaluation
Proposals will be evaluated to determine how well they align with the mission of the ACS Science Coaches program: to help elementary, middle, and high school teachers provide innovative, relevant, and effective science education to their students through the expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment of a dedicated ACS chemist.
Excellent proposals may be declined due to the limited number of grants available through the ACS Science Coaches program each year. Also, chemist-teacher partners who are married to one another will not be eligible for the grant.
If the proposal is accepted, coach-teacher partners will need to:
- Submit a letter of support from the administration
- Submit a brief, end-of-year report demonstrating what was accomplished through this partnership
- Complete surveys in January and May
- Obtain the donation from the school in February