NISOD 2010 presentation

1. SCIENCE SERVICE LEARNING Ann Cartwright, Ph.D., Chair Ruben Ramirez, Lab Supervisor Department of Science San Jacinto College-Central

2. WHAT IS SERVICE LEARNING? Students are given an opportunity for active learning while providing a service to the community.

3. WHAT IS SCIENCE SERVICE LEARNING? College students are responsible for helping pre-college age students perform hands-on experiments.

4. Science Service Learning Esson, J. M.; Stevens-Truss, R.; Thomas, A. J. Chem. Educ. 2005, 82, 1168-1173. Improves cognitive skills Improves course-related skills and self-reported learning outcomes Increases academic, interpersonal and leadership skills Increases community engagement Increases exposure to career development opportunities Improves self-esteem Increases ability to apply course concepts to new real-world situations

5. 1990 INVITED THE FIRST CHILDREN TO VISIT SCIENCE

6. 1994 INVITED FIRST CHILDREN TO DO HANDS-ON EXPERIMENTS

7. 1997 STARTED ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL CHEMISTRY WEEK

8. ACIDS AND BASES

9. SHRINKY DINKSProperties of Polymers

10. 1997 COLLEGE STUDENTS WERE TRAINED TO SERVE AS SCIENCE FAIR JUDGES

11. 1997 STARTED DOING FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHTS AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

12. SCIENCE NIGHTS

13. SCIENCE NIGHTS

14. SCIENCE SERVICE LEARNING Spring 2008 Four Family Science Nights at Elementary Schools & Two Science Fairs Fall 2008 & 2009 National Chemistry Week Celebration with 120 4th Graders & Adopted an Elementary School Spring 2009 & 2010 Three Science Fairs, 130 4th Grade Visitors, Expanding Your Horizons In Science & Math

15. ADOPTION OF AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL We visited all seven fourth-grade classes at Genoa Elementary School over a six week period in Fall 2008 & Fall 2009 to do one detailed experiment with each class. We returned in November to judge their Science Fair. The teacher and class put together the tri-board for presentation.

16. Sugar Content in Soft Drinks vs. Fruit Juice

17. Gas Content in Regular Soft Drinks vs. Diet Drinks

18. What Toothpaste Is Most Effective In Removing Stain?

19. Absorbency of Diapers vs. Type of Liquid

20. Does Laundry Detergent, Dishwashing Detergent, Liquid Soap or Shampoo Disperse Oil the Best?

21. COLLEGE STUDENTS COMMENTS ABOUT THE CHILDREN “Young students really look up to us college students.” “I saw a few students get very excited when they grasped the concept. I have a sense of gratification.” “This special night could also encourage them to pursue a higher education.”

22. COLLEGE STUDENT COMMENTS “I’ve never been so involved in a class before. It inspires me to be a better student and take advantage of opportunities.” “These activities provide a hands-on learning approach which reinforces material that has been taught in class.”

23. CHILDREN’S COMMENTS “Your college deserves 400 billion rounds of applause, but I’ll be dead probably before I get to 1 million claps.” “Now my sister and I are starting a small science lab in my bedroom .” “It was a wonderful opportunity for 4th graders to learn moreabout science. At this age you get inspired in things that you might want to be when you grow up.”

24. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ COMMENTS “Your experiments were simple, but thought provoking –a wonderful experience.” “I was especially pleased to hear how your students were able to relate to our learning disabled and limited English students.” “With the college students bringing in real scientific equipment and lowering the student to teacher ratio, students are able to really be involved in the process.”

25. BIBLIOGRAPHY Esson, J. M.; Stevens-Truss, R.; Thomas, A. J. Chem. Educ. 2005, 82, 1168-1173. Hatcher-Skeers, M.; Aragon, E. J. Chem. Educ. 2002, 79, 462-464. LeRiviere, F. J.; Miler, L. M.; Millard, J. T. JChem. Educ. 2007, 84, 1636-1639. http://depts.washington.edu/ssl/Main/wathssl.html

26. FUNDING Exxon Corporation (Prior to Merger with Mobil) Greater Houston Section of the American Chemical Society

27. Special Thanks Tiffany Sosa & Hilary Carter, Honor Students Lab Assistants College Students Professional Development Center