Williams College currently funds an elementary school outreach program started in 1994 with a Howard Hughes Medical Institute grant.  Following is an excerpt from an explanation of the program when it was under the support of the grant.

“This program has made an impact on the education of young students by using a hands-on approach to expose them to the thought processes of scientific discovery.

A unique aspect of our outreach program is the placement of Williams College students in elementary school classrooms. As Science Assistants, they are assigned to spend the year with a particular teacher, spending approximately three hours each week in the classroom assisting with the science curriculum. The Williams students act as role models for elementary students and assist teachers in planning and executing science activities. The Williams students work with an elementary school mentor as they gain teaching experience. Most of these assistants continue from one year to the next. The Science Liaison organizes and assigns assistants and facilitates exchange between the college and the elementary schools.

In 1997-1998 the elementary outreach program expanded to include the adjacent community of North Adams.”