Teams

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IDEA Cooperative participants are students 8th-12th grade at Saint Paul Public Schools on the East and West Sides: Johnson, Harding and Humboldt Senior High Schools; Washington, Battle Creek and Hazel Park Middle Schools; and Humboldt and Cleveland Junior High Schools.

Invention Crews
10th-12th graders are members of Invention Crews, and build their skills with engineering technologies and the design process by working on invention and design projects for members of their communities (schools, community centers, small businesses, families, etc.). They are paid staff members of the Science Museum of Minnesota, and go through a formal hiring and employment process that includes aninterview, performance reviews and self-reflection.

Design Teams
8th-9th graders are members of Design Teams, and work on a variety of projects to build their interest in and awareness of engineering and design. They are Science Museum volunteers, and receive benefits including exhibit admission and bus passes. Design Team members also interview for their positions and reflect on their progress with adult staff.

Watch the Design Team recruitment movie, collaboratively made by adult staff and Invention Crew members.

Meeting Locations and Times
Teams meet 2-3 times per week, after-school and on Saturdays during the school year, and during the week in the summer. They meet at Saint Paul College, as well as at the Science Museum, and travel to community sites for field trips and design projects when needed.

Staffing
The Invention Crews and Design Teams are staffed by program managers in Science Museum of Minnesota's Youth Science Center and Learning Technologies Center, and by Americorps members in the CTEP program.

Volunteers, including engineering students and professionals, also participate as mentors, presenters, and field trip hosts. If you are interested please contact Kristen at 651-221-2525 or kmurray (at) smm.org