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Chemistry Grad Students "Talk Science" in the Community
As the world increasingly comes into the classroom, the classroom must increasingly go into the world." This quote from Jacques Delors, Chair of UNESCO's International Commission on Education for the 21st Century, underscores the basis for Let's Talk Science (LTS), a national, registered charitable organization working to develop a society that is scientifically literate and globally competitive through innovative educational programs, research and advocacy. One of several outreach initiatives featured under the umbrella of Let's Talk Science is the award-winning LTS Partnership Program.Under the leadership of program coordinators at each host university, innovative science partnerships are established between graduate student volunteers in science disciplines and elementary and secondary school teachers and their classrooms. The partnership concept ensures that all participants benefit from the relationship: teachers gain a resource to enhance science learning in the classroom and establish vital connections to current scientific research and development in their community; students receive access to dynamic role models and explore fun, hands-on science experiences that relate to everyday life; and graduate students master the art of presenting general scientific concepts to a broad audience, identify areas of scientific knowledge requiring further development, and cultivate leadership and communication skills.
Since McMaster's LTS Partnership Program site was launched in September 1997, more than forty graduate students from the Department of Chemistry have participated in this community outreach program. A brief sampling of the creative and hands-on activities organized by chemistry graduate students over the past academic year is provided below.
To demonstrate periodicity and fun chemical principles to grade eleven and OAC chemistry classes at Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School, Bruce Cook organized
such experiments as the silver mirror, condensation of halides, chemiluminescence with luminol, synthesis of nylon, the 'tower of foam' and more! As often encountered by LTS volunteers, the students were particularly impressed by the dry ice and liquid nitrogen properties!
Maggie Austen and Janevieve Jones shared their chemical knowledge with over 200 grade seven students at Dundas District Elementary School in the preparation of "GAK". This experiment provided an introduction to chemical reactions, polymer chemistry and the importance of plastics in the world around us. The students enjoyed the lesson and were particularly thrilled to have something to take home at the end of the day!
As part of their ongoing partnership with both an OAC chemistry class and a grade nine science class, Suzanne Ackloo and Anna Trikoupis spent a day back in high school. The OAC Chemistry students were treated to an interactive lesson on acid-base titrations, the buffer capacity of blood, and pH. To complement their studies in electromagnetic radiation, the grade nine students witnessed a dramatisation of lunar and solar eclipses to show that light travels in a straight line, and used pin-hole cameras to understand how images are formed. According to teacher Rocco Colello of Ancaster High School, these sessions with the LTS volunteers were "a great educational experience!"
During one of two visits with their combined grades two and three class at Holy Family School, Nada Reginato and Daryl Vanbesien had students perform "The Bee Dance" and play "The Creature Tree" game, as a complement to their interactive discussion on growth and change in animals. Teacher Jennifer Reilly complimented the LTS volunteers for making science fun and relevant for her students!
"Who Did It?: A Forensics Science Adventure" was the title of a primary level workshop designed and presented by Tracy Morkin and Stacey Brydges as part of a Multiple Intelligence Day at Queens Rangers School. In a fun, hands-on atmosphere the students learned about fingerprinting, forensics dentistry, chromatography (as used in toxicology) and DNA. Leading the students through several activities relating to the scientific principles at hand enabled them to identify a criminal from four possible suspects and several pieces of physical evidence. A definite success, as marked by the unwavering enthusiasm of the students and parents who attended the sessions!
For more information about the LTS programs offered at McMaster, please contact the LTS Coordinators, Catherine Krasnik or Vinay Phokeo, by phone at 525-9140 (x27562), email ltsci@mcmaster.ca;, or visit the website at www.science.mcmaster.ca/lts/.
Stacey Brydges
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