Graduate Student Fellows

Become a GRASSHOPR Fellow

2025-2026 Applications for graduate students are now open!

Need help designing your course?

Attend CTI workshops during the academic year

You can also check out our course design Cheat-sheet!

*If accepted as a GRASSHOPR Fellow, you are required to attend the Orientation Meeting in December

Applicants must develop a mini-course topic related to their areas of interest and expertise. Mini-courses must contain 3 to 5 unique lessons and can be taught individually or as a team. To increase the odds of a match with a teacher host:

  • Create a catchy title
  • Design the course proposal to be flexible - Each teacher will need to make adjustments to fit each mini-course into his or her curriculum, which encompasses the core requirements of New York State
  • Make your course age-appropriate - Remember you will be teaching K-12, not college level
  • Make the sessions unique - each lesson should teach something new. Courses can build on each other, but should not be overly repetitive

Lesson Plans

Wondering how to make a successful lesson plan? Check out our library of successful lesson plans. Make use of the in-person and recorded workshops offered by Center for Teaching Innovation.

General Timeline

August - Online applications open

  • You will submit a rough lesson plan

September - Work on your course with our help, if needed

End of September - Submit your Course

October  - Teacher applications open

November - Teacher applications close

Late November - Accepted applications will be matched with a suitable teacher host and classroom

  • Matches are announced
  • Contact your teacher immediately to begin planning and scheduling your teaching sessions

December

  • Attend Mandatory Orientation Meeting for accepted fellows on (Date and time TBD)
  • You will also pick up your t-shirts and take a group picture at the meeting
  • Attend optional GRASSHOPR workshops to further develop your mini-course and to prepare you for teaching in the classroom
  • Complete all required trainings for working with minors
  • Meet with your teacher to develop your mini-course
  • Check-in with the Coordinating Committee with any questions or concerns
  • Prepare and and purchase your supplies

Spring Semester - Go out and teach your mini-courses. You are encouraged to share your scientific journey with the classroom. Most importantly, have fun!

  • Submit any necessary forms for purchase/reimbursement, service hours
  • Complete an Evaluation Survey

Our support to you

Fellows selected to participate will receive reimbursements of up to $100 per course

The Coordinating Committee does it's best to match you with an appropriate teacher and classroom

We act as the liaison between student and teacher.

Training workshops are designed for all levels of teaching experience. We encourage you to attend CTI workshops in the Fall to design your course and learn the essentials of teaching. We will also have more targeted workshops in the spring semester when you start teaching.

We ensure that you have completed all the important trainings and risk compliance

The Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source has generously agreed that GRASSHOPR fellows can access materials from the CHEXS/CHESS lending library. Many types of kits are available, and some are designed specifically for elementary, middle, or high school levels!

We encourage all of our fellows to know each other and expand their social and professional network