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Image source: Jupiter Images |
Ruby Olisemeka needs your support. She has put together a science program for children called Green Scientist. Her aim is to use the Green Scientist module in the US and, eventually, in Africa. Her initiative is up for competitive funding. All you have to do is take a look at the summary here and, if you like it, click to vote for her project. Voting ends in less than 3 days. GI
Goals
Teach and expose young children to basic Science and Sustainability concepts in a fun, hands on and creative way.Description
Explore everything! Connect topics, have fun! Love science, love creation add a teensy dash of alchemy and voila! Green scientist. The program is designed or children ages 4-7, however we have begun to include children ages 7-11. The green scientists program is principally a hands on learning experience and all experiments are designed to mainly use sustainable products and recyclable products, for instance when we paint we opt for milk paints or make our own from materials in the kitchen and garden. As well as striving to use a minimum of 65% sustainable/recyclable/reusable materials for experiments, every experiment must tie into a ecological or sustainable concept. For example when we study pH we relate it to planetary water systems that are undergoing pH shifts, we make our own indicators from materials sourced in a garden or supermarket. The program is taught in modules, first module which includes up to a 150+ experiments and activities (and counting) is entitled foundations. The square being the ultimate symbol for a foundation, we use the symbolism of Aristotle‘s square, earth, water, air and fire as topic start points. These four "elements" are in essence the foundation of what we call material existence, you see this when the "elements" are rewritten as solid, liquid, gas and energy. Experiments revolve around understanding each "element" and how they intersect to bring us a superior quality of life. For instance fire experiments revolve around understanding the EM spectrum, sustainable energy harvesting, basic electronics; earth experiments revolve around botany, sustainable agriculture & geology. All students are currently at module 1, there are 7 modules in total. Yes it‘s a lot of fun, and we have only just started!Links
tags: science, youth, education
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Mae Carol Jemison |
