The Problem
Interviews with parents, grandparents and educators say someone must give children
something besides video games. To bring fun Science educational enrichment workshops
to low performing schools and children of color will low grades. To get students and their
families in need and at risk to become interested in Science. Our wish is to help children
sustain their interest in learning by learning about differences and similarities under
microscopes. Our wish is to help children imagine a future in a Science career. Science
classes are ignored by youth. Children of color are underrepresented in Science
professions. We wish children and families could learn why insects, bugs, animals,
plants, trees and humans are important to each other. We all depend on each other
for our food, our good health, clean water supply and our environment.
"Our Scholars Read Books" our free book giveaway since 2009 will help children improve their
knowledge and let them learn and use new words in sentences. It is a goal that one
day these students will start their own service learning
project to make a difference. Our goal is to feed the mind.
Our Plan
We selected and developed the "Bugging Out in Science" campaign. We used the map to
identify and contact collaborators to support us and guide us. We were referred
to a Science teacher from Retired Teacher Association in our State and they referred
us to Brad Rheu , the 2014 Science Teacher of the year. He wants to be an Advisor
and has agreed to a volunteer Science Coach. We had a meet and greet luncheon
at the community library. There we met Dr. Bobby Wilson who shares our passion
and will be an Advisor and a volunteer Science Coach. In mapping we also found
North West Area Health Education Center and they have helped us by borrowing
two microscopes from the School System for us to use in the workshops. A donor
receiving a fundraising newsletter from us purchased a microscope for us.
Roots and Shoots granted a microscope for us. We now have four. Science
professional Coach and student volunteers will lead a fun engaging activity
with microscopes and prepared and unprepared
safety slides. The youth in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades will be introduced to
microscopes and slides of insect wings, honey, salt sugar soil, old water,
insect legs mold, bugs, leaves, hair, antenna and feathers. -- Another community
resource is Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods have guided through thinking
about future challenges and obstacles. We have also reached out to school
principals,and will follow up in August and September. Science teen volunteers
will partner with the students and assist the assist the volunteer Coach.
The microscopes and slides will fascinate and educate them. They will have
discussions on Science careers. We will let them choose a free book of
their choice to encourage a love of reading. The books are all different
and selected with by children with donations. Parents can get a book, too.
We provide Donations of school supplies We feed the body mind with
healthy fruit snack are also distributed to the youth. The workshops will be
small projects held in low income areas in community mapped referred places
of worship, recreation centers, libraries, and schools.
