History

In 2005, the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History kicked off a new after school program, EVOLUTIONS (EVOking Learning and Understanding Through Investigation Of the Natural Sciences), under the guidance of Jamie Alonzo. What began as an after school program for a dozen students has grown to an after school program, museum interpreter program, and science internship program for over one hundred students. Program goals are centered around science literacy, college preparation and 21st century skills development.

As EVOLUTIONS grew in popularity, it experienced attrition among older students as they turned 16 and began applying for jobs. Rather than lose students, we developed Sci.CORPS to bring work opportunities to students right in the Peabody Museum while continuing to support them through high school and the college application process.

Sci.CORPS was developed over the summer of 2008, following the footsteps of the Science Career Ladder at the New York Hall of Science in Queens, New York. Since the first year of Sci.CORPS, the program has grown from five students to over 40. We help the museum by providing student help to various departments, staffing events, and interpreting exhibits on the Museum floor. After 7 years with the program Jamie has moved on to new adventures. Andrea Motto, who worked for several years with the Science Career Ladder in New York, has now taken the reins, and will guide Sci.CORPS and EVOLUTIONS through their next phases of development.