Question 1

What do volunteers actually do in classrooms?

Accepted Answer

BASIS volunteers go directly into TK-8 elementary school classrooms and lead hands-on science lessons. Lessons cover topics like roots, seeds, and stems, and are designed to give kids a real science experience with a working scientist present.

Question 2

What kinds of schools does BASIS serve?

Accepted Answer

BASIS focuses on schools in historically marginalized communities across the Bay Area, including Oakland and Berkeley. The goal is to reach students who may not otherwise have the chance to interact with practicing scientists.

Question 3

Do I need to be a scientist or STEM major to volunteer?

Accepted Answer

The program is aimed at scientists and STEM professionals, but the source material describes volunteers broadly as people with scientific backgrounds who want to do outreach. No specific major or credential requirement is stated.

Question 4

Is BASIS a student club or an external nonprofit program?

Accepted Answer

BASIS is a program of Community Resources for Science (CRS), a Berkeley-based nonprofit. The Berkeley student chapter (BASIS at Berkeley) participates in this larger program by providing volunteers who go into local classrooms.

Bay Area Scientists in Schools at Berkeley