CONNECTIONS
Connecting the past, present and future through teaching, learning and technology.
A Night of Discovery and Exploration
Tonight I took my son – a kindergartner – to the second “PTO Family Science Night” at Big Flats Elementary School. Armed with a flip camera I was going to capture my sons excitement as he got to see some of the live animals scheduled to be there. Little did I know that I was going to be just as amazed at the event as well.
In addition to the live animals (the owl, American Alligator, hedgehog and variety of snakes and turtles) there were stations to learn about fossils, bugs, plants and the human body. There were also physics exhibits covering all sorts of topics. These stations were interactive and engaged the kids in many different ways.
The PTO, Elizabeth Scaptura (school principal), Tanglewood Nature Center and the Science Discovery Center, along with several other organizations, put on an amazing event. What really impressed me was that there were high school school students running many of the booths. They were well informed and excited about what they were doing. Several of them were former students of mine and that really struck me as they were now teaching my own child. These high school kids were applying what they had learned in the classroom to a real world situation. It added value and relevance to their education. It gave the kids an opportunity to practice the skills they had learned in the classroom. Not just science knowledge but the skills of interacting with kids and adults, presentation skills and volunteering their time. Even though the focus of the evening was science this was an interdisciplinary experience for those students.
There is a community service requirement at the high school which is wonderful. Students that volunteered at this event were able to fulfill part of this requirement. Community service creates a climate of opportunity for teachers and students to come together and host many more events like the one my five year old absolutely enjoyed this evening.
I just want to thank everyone that came together to make this event happen. This is the kind of learning that we need to promote in our schools. We need to create real world events and activities that not only deepen academic knowledge but also helps students to develop character and give them a sense of purpose.
This is how I envision education and it has got me thinking:
How can we structure our schools so that students, teachers and the community can come together on a regular basis to create authentic and meaningful learning experiences?
4 Responses to “A Night of Discovery and Exploration”
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February 12th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
It’s very cool to take a young one to a mind opening event. (That is one of the reasons I am a Scout leader..) and it is almost always truth that we find gifts in the teaching.
it is also cool you took your Flip camera. Thanks for sharing the video…
I have been trying to spread the word about these cameras because they are so easy to use 0 easy to care – and easy to share your videos (like this one).
You can see videos from our horse stables and scouts at http://bestflipcamera.com.
Thanks again!
March 21st, 2010 at 3:42 am
I am required to read a few of your posts for my college course EDM310 at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL. This event that you attended with your son was both rewarding and educating. It was rewarding for the high school students who donated their time to give information to these younger students. I am sure it was also rewarding for you to see these high school students because most of them were your former students. It was educating of course for the little ones but also for parents who attended.
I also agree that it is important for students to get involved in their community. I think it is awesome that the high school has a community service requirement to ensure that students take advantage of these experiences. Thank you for sharing the video of your son at the event; he seemed really intrigued.
April 14th, 2010 at 2:22 am
I really love science centers and think that the fact that high school students were able to help the younger children learn is awesome. That not only rewards the older students since they know they have helped a child learn, it gives the younger kids inspiration and someone to look up to. I think the young children experiencing the older teens helping out will influence those younger children to help out more in the future.
In Mobile, we have a science museum called the Exploreum and they have great exhibits and events. The children are able to go to classes there and local college and high school children can volunteer and work there. It amazes me that they were able to put on such a great event at the local elementary school. I think that is awesome and should be encouraged. I think the video of your son learning was awesome as well.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I’m a student at the University of South Alabama and I was required to read your blog for my EDM 310 blog. If you would like to drop by, you can visit:
http://flemingamberedm310.blogspot.com
Have a wonderful week,
Amber Fleming
May 14th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Just saying hello… I wandered over here from Twitter just because I was happy to find another Oswego graduate… then I was extra surprised to find a mention of Big Flats Elementary and Tanglewood Nature Center! I live in Horseheads.
Tanglewood does put on a great show – I’ve seen it at other locations – and the volunteers they get are very knowledgeable.
Anyway, I’ll pass your link on to my brother, who is also a secondary-level history teacher (or will be as soon as he finds a job!).