📬 Letters to a Pre-Scientist: Write to a Real STEM Expert!
Grades: 5th & 6th
🔬 Purpose
Letters to a Pre-Scientist (LPS) is a special pen pal program that connects you with real scientists, engineers, and other STEM professionals from around the world! It’s a chance to learn about cool STEM careers, ask questions, and hear stories from people who work in science and technology. The program is free for schools in low-income communities, and even covers stamps and envelopes!
✉️ Step 1: Join the Mailing List
Ask your teacher to sign up for the LPS mailing list to get notified when the program starts (usually in spring).
đź“… Step 2: Get Ready for the Letters
This program happens during the school year and includes four rounds of letter writing. Each round has a fun theme to help you write to your pen pal. You’ll spend about ten 60-minute class periods writing and reading letters.
✍️ Step 3: Write Your Letters
With your teacher’s help, you’ll write letters to your STEM pen pal. You’ll share about yourself, ask questions, and learn about your pen pal’s STEM job. Then, your teacher will mail your letters out.
📬 Step 4: Receive Replies
Over the next six weeks, you’ll get letters back from your pen pal! When everyone in your class has a letter, it’s time to write again for the next round.
🌟 Step 5: Keep Connecting!
You’ll write and receive four letters throughout the year, making a new STEM friend and learning about science along the way.
âś… Step 6: Complete the SAP Google Form
After you start writing your letters, don’t forget to fill out the Student Action Project Google Form to share what you did!