The Junior Scientist Maker Program

Empowering young minds with scientific thinking skills for life

We’re dedicated to transforming the teaching of the scientific method. We seamlessly integrate storytelling, inquiry-based learning curriculum, and citizen science into an accessible platform. This is crucial as by 4th grade, over 50% of students have already lost interest in science, contributing to the nation’s science illiteracy issues.

 

Distribution Partners

 

Our 3-Step Interdisciplinary Approach

Step 1:  Inspire with Multi-Award Winning Animation

Compelling videos that spark scientific curiosity

Our animations harness the power of world-class storytelling and diverse characters so that all students can envision themselves as future scientists and innovators. Research demonstrates that storytelling not only enhances learning retention by up to 65% but also significantly boosts engagement in under-represented children by over 70%. 

Step 2: Educate with Inquiry-Based Learning

Accessible, hands-on projects that reinforce learning

Our standards-aligned curriculum for elementary school employs cost-effective, hands-on inquiry-based learning, shown to boost science understanding by up to 20% more than traditional methods. This approach caters to learner variability while ensuring affordability and deep engagement by emphasizing interactive and practical experiences.

Step 3: Engage with Local Community Science Research

Citizen science mobile application for real-world impact

Students participate in meaningful environmental research and contribute through real-world science projects in their communities through our Debris Tracker mobile application. This practical approach deepens science engagement, linking classroom concepts to community-based projects. Research shows that active participation in citizen science increases persistence in young learners, fostering a lasting interest in science and environmental stewardship.

 

Flexible Access for Diverse Educational Needs

Teach at Your Own Pace

Customizable lessons lasting 40-60 minutes, adapting to various learner needs & local contexts.

100% Free Access

Our resources are inclusive & utilize everyday materials like paper & cardboard.

Testimonials

Testimonials
Blog Post Title One

“All students enjoyed the lessons and have applied them to other areas of academics and in the classroom. These lessons coordinated well with other already scheduled core lessons so the timing was perfect.”

Jill, Title 1 Elementary School Teacher, Durham, North Carolina

Testimonial Two

“This cute animated series features a diverse cast of brainy girls and offers up helpful lessons about turning mistakes into an opportunity for growth.”

Common Sense Media

Testimonial Three

“Great for growth mindset conversations and discussions about failures leading to success.”

Carlos, Title 1 Elementary School Teacher, Westchester, New York

Testimonial Four

“They were excited to learn about resources they can use as citizen scientists to actively help care for the environment right now as children.”

Alex, Title 1 Elementary School Teacher, Charlotte, North Carolina

Testimonial Five

“My students got a lot better at collecting, recording, and comparing quantitative data.”

Debbie, Title 1 Elementary School Teacher, Atlanta, Georgia

Testimonial Six

“My favorite part about the science program was how every single experiment included fun, but also science.”

Sammy, 1st Grader, Sanford, North Carolina

Testimonial Seven

“I enjoyed collecting trash and saving the environment.”

Shaun, 3rd Grader, Durham, North Carolina

Testimonial Eight

“I liked how it was hands-on activities that really got your brain thinking about the design process.”

Kayla, 3rd Grader, Raleigh, North Carolina

Testimonial Nine

“I’m not a big fan of science but the paper girl science program definitely made me like it more.”

Zach, 2nd Grader, Raleigh, Georgia

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Offers inclusive community-based learning, emphasizing real-world science through projects while maintaining high educational standards, inspiring a love for lifelong STEM learning.

  • Critical for developing curiosity and critical thinking, the scientific method equips young learners to adeptly navigate a complex world.

  • Empowers children during their crucial developmental years, with 95% of brain development occurring by age six, fostering lifelong problem-solving abilities.

  • Storytelling significantly influences brain development, especially in children. Studies show that it engages various brain regions, enhancing cognitive functions like language acquisition, comprehension, and memory. For instance, research indicates that storytelling can increase brain activity by up to 300%. Listening to stories stimulates multiple brain areas, promoting better connectivity and cognitive growth. In the program, storytelling sparks students' interest in science, making learning both enjoyable and beneficial for brain development.

  • The core program is available for free, allowing educators to access our educational materials, videos, and Inspo Buddies AR without any charges. We offer optional classroom kits with enhanced learning materials for purchase, but these kits are not required for program access.

  • We sustain our program's availability for free through a partnership model where media and publishing organizations pay us fees to distribute our content on their platforms. This revenue stream enables us to offer our science content to users at no cost.

  • Engaging in citizen science through the Marine Debris Tracker app allows students to contribute to real-world environmental research. It fosters a sense of community involvement, scientific discovery, and environmental stewardship.

  • Our program is designed to be flexible and easy to implement. You can seamlessly integrate it into your current curriculum by incorporating our resources, videos, and activities to enhance your science lessons.

  • Yes, our platform provides tools for educators to monitor student progress and engagement. You can access data on their participation in videos, activities, and citizen science projects to gauge their learning and involvement.

  • We understand the importance of ongoing professional development. While we currently offer resources and an educator community, we are actively exploring future opportunities for professional development programs.

  • Buddies AR is an innovative program developed on the 8th Wall (the creators of Pokemon Go), designed to enhance your teaching experience. It will deliver personalized assistance directly to your smartphone, eliminating the need for app downloads. This augmented reality feature brings a new level of interactivity and engagement to learning the scientific method. To experience the beta version, simply explore our website, where you can access a preview of Inspo Buddies AR on each curriculum page. It will be a valuable tool for educators looking to make scientific learning enjoyable and effective. The program will formally launch in Spring 2024.

  • We value your input! You can share feedback and suggestions with us through our platform or by connecting with our educator community. Your insights play a vital role in helping us continually enhance the program.

  • Yes, absolutely. Companies can sponsor the program in their own communities. For instance, Duke Energy in North Carolina is currently underwriting the classroom kit for 3,000 students as a successful example. We are actively looking to replicate this model in various regions across the country, allowing organizations to support STEM education locally and make a meaningful impact. Please email info@globaltinker.com for more information.

  • The program is primarily designed for elementary students. However, educators working with students of varying ages and abilities can adapt and modify our resources to suit their specific needs.

  • Yes, our program is designed to be accessible for both classroom and home use. Educators and parents can explore our resources and activities to support scientific learning outside of school hours. The program provides opportunities for engaging science education beyond the traditional classroom setting.

  • Yes, our program is accessible on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thepapergirlsshow making it easy for educators, students, and parents to access our educational content. You can find our engaging videos and resources on YouTube in addition to our website, ensuring flexibility in how you use our materials for teaching and learning.

  • The mission of the Junior Scientist Maker Program is to cultivate scientific thinking skills in elementary students. Our unique public-private partnership combines educators, technology companies, and nonprofits to create an engaging platform that teaches the scientific method through storytelling, inquiry-based learning, and real-world citizen science.

  • Our program uniquely combines humor, storytelling, inquiry-based learning, augmented reality with Inspo Buddies, and real-world citizen science projects. It offers a multidisciplinary approach that makes learning the scientific method enjoyable, engaging, and impactful.