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The Miami Museum of Science in collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, will design, implement and disseminate Tripod, a replicable model that will support and empower single-parent families to actively engage in their children's science, mathematics and technology education. The overall goal of Tripod is to develop a replicable model that will provide Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies with the strategies, materials and resources needed to serve as intermediaries between science-rich institutions in their communities and the households of their "matched" families. These linkages are expected to help big brothers and sisters effectively engage their "Littles" in new and exciting science, mathematics and technology learning experiences, and will enhance each big's role as an information broker who can assist their match family in supporting their child's SMT education. Tripod will build upon the extensive experience of both the Miami Museum of Science and Big Brothers Big Sisters in supporting the positive development of youth. Tripod will establish a demonstration program that will serve Miami-Dade County, Florida. Tripod BBBS and Museum staff will create a pilot group of BBBS volunteers who will work closely on the development of mentor materials. These volunteer "Bigs" and their "Littles" will attend science, math and technology workshops at the Museum in which hands-on activities will be tested. Successful activities will be packaged in a Tripod Toolkit. A Mentor Handbook will identify additional sources for hands-on learning activities that museums and other organizations might add to their current repertoire of offerings. An accompanying Facilitator Guide will provide management tips, promotion strategies, sample agendas and event and activity outlines for community agencies wishing to replicate the program. To reach a broad-based parent population, the project will work closely with Scott Foresman to develop the Science/Math Matters section of the Tripod ToolKit. Tripod will select the best from their collection of resources and update, revise, rewrite and repurpose them into a series of "teachable moments"-- short activities that use everyday objects to encourage children to wonder and investigate. Through the marketing umbrella of Scott Foresman, the project will be able to reach a very diverse parent audience. Tripod will also partner with a major network owned and operated television station (NBC-6 WTVJ) to produce a special feature as part of the museum's ongoing, Emmy award-winning broadcast programs. This 30-minute, prime-time special will showcase the ability of mentoring to make a powerful difference in the lives of youth.
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