Simplify Science Scholars

About

Science Scholars holding the SERC banner

As climate change impacts every facet of our lives, equipping all individuals with the fundamentals of science and its analytical tools provides the launchpad for newfound, interdisciplinary applications to emerge. The Simplify Science Scholars (SSS) program serves as a conduit for diverse science leaders to emerge, while supporting each scholar's natural learning style in an intellectually inspiring environment. 

The Simplify Science Scholars (SSS) program serves as a conduit for diverse science leaders to emerge, while supporting each scholar's natural learning style in an intellectually inspiring environment.

The Simplify Science Scholars program has two components:

  1. Curriculum is designed to equip scholars with the mathematics and coding fundamentals for upper-division applied sciences (e.g., geosciences, civil engineering), regardless of their prior knowledge.

  2. Camping is designed to encourage connection to the natural world and reflect on how concepts of science, sustainability, movement, and outdoor community engagement can improve your lifestyle.

Curriculum

Students in a classroom

Curriculum 

We designed an original curriculum to make mathematics, ranging from precalculus to multivariable calculus, and coding accessible to all students, regardless of their prior knowledge. Our approach to STEM education prioritizes intuition-based understanding over rote memorization and centers on applying this knowledge to climate issues, such as air pollution and wildfires. Local organizations provide critical insights on community needs, legislation, technological tools, and climate action through hands-on workshops, lectures, and discussions. 

Camping

Students on a hike looking at an information board

Camping

We offer an all expenses-paid, overnight camping trip to a State or National Park for both Scholars and UC Berkeley students to attend. This is a beginner level trip that introduces attendees to the fundamentals of camping (e.g., setting up a tent, starting a fire, safety) and nature exploration. Our activities focus on cultivating a relationship with our natural world - an ability that our modern lifestyles deny to people of color, those in underserved communities, and remains financially inaccessible. Accommodations are available for attendees. 

Eligibility

We encourage students who come from first-generation, low-income, and underserved backgrounds or have simply struggled to learn STEM to apply to be a Scholar. Graduate and undergraduate students of any academic year are eligible to apply. 

Apply!

Resources

Meet Our Scholars

Meet Our Facilitators