Boston's Museum of Science will expand a scientific problem solving pen- pal program for children grades 4-9. "Science-by-Mail", to a national audience. "Science-by-Mail", to a national audience. "Science-by-Mail" is a mentorship program between scientists and children (as individuals or in groups of up to four) in which subscribers receive three science challenge packets each year, create solutions to open-ended problems posed in the packets, and then submit their solutions to individual scientists for review and commentary. Each subscriber receives a personal response from a scientist for each submission. The Museum of Science will expand this program to a national audience by creating 12 scientific challenge packets, opening and supporting 20 chapters at science-technology centers around the country with materials, training and promotional materials, and by working with the AAAS to recruit scientist-reviewers. The museum will strengthen its ties with other national organizations as well to recruit both subscribers and scientists. Museum of Science cost sharing of $185,299 is 40% of total project cost. An estimated 60,000 children will participate in the program and subscription income should make "Science- by-Mail" self-sufficient by its third year.
