Class act: ‘Celebrate Science’ has formula for hands-on learning
Published: November 15, 2011
The thank-you letter from Leslie, a grade-schooler in San Diego County’s Ramona Unified School District, speaks volumes about the excitement generated by “Celebrate Science”—an innovative, standards-based program that gives high school science students the opportunity to present hands-on science experiments to local elementary children.
“I never knew that sound can vibrate through something and create a sound. You guys are so smart and fun to learn with,” Leslie wrote in a note to her former Celebrate Science instructors.
This program was established with critical support from then-school board member Christopher Smith, a physicist at UC San Diego’s Center for Theoretical Biological Physics. It’s a learning experience both for the elementary school students who participate in its interactive biology and chemistry demonstrations and for the upper-division students who carefully plan and present these living learning opportunities—designed by the students who present them to align with appropriate grade-level science standards.
For six days every year, buses travel throughout the district to deliver lab-coated student scientists to multipurpose rooms in each of the district’s six elementary schools—toting impressive arrays of equipment and the solids, liquids and gases that constitute the raw material for their demonstrations. These students will spend each day conducting experiments, leading discussions and generally getting their young charges fired up about the wonders of chemistry and biology and the scientific method.
Like any earnest instructor worth his or her sodium chloride, these young presenters come prepared. They’ve already created teaching aids—lab sheets for students to chart methods, observations and results, and sample lesson plans for teachers—for each grade level they’ll teach, first through sixth. They perfect their lessons during trial demonstrations in front of teachers and peers.
Since the program was launched in 2005, more than 3,000 elementary school students and 400 high school students have taken part. It’s been around long enough that some of the presenters conducting experiments before crowds of wide-eyed youngsters were on the receiving end when they themselves were primary-grade students.
Ramona Assistant Superintendent Cathy Pierce says it’s clear that students “on both sides of the table” benefit from the experience.
“The excitement on the face of each elementary student indicates this day is making a difference for them. High school science teachers find that Celebrate Science motivates their students to learn scientific concepts, perform experiments and continue their study of science throughout high school,” she says.
Science and math teacher Pat Raven agrees. “It’s a win-win situation for all involved,” she says. “High school students have the opportunity to be role models and teachers, and the elementary students experience the hands-on learning that makes science exciting.”
Adult observers often leave Celebrate Science demonstrations “awestruck by the professionalism, depth and variety of science instruction and mutual respect shown by students,” Pierce continues.
She credits the program for the fact that interest in advanced science has significantly increased in the district since Celebrating Science was established. Just over 850 students took advanced science courses in 2009—that’s more than double the number who took such classes in 2006.
“In addition,” Pierce adds, “since Celebrate Science’s innovative and simplistic design is both easily replicated and cost-effective, it has grown to be a model program for other schools in the district.”
Judges for CSBA’s 2010 Golden Bell competition agreed, giving the program top scores—and a Golden Bell award—for its innovative curriculum.
—Carol Brydolf
WHO: High school students who present science lessons to students in grades 1-6
WHAT: “Celebrate Science”
WHEN: For six days each academic year since 2005
WHERE: Ramona Unified School District in San Diego County
WHY: To inspire grade school students, hone older students’ skills, and generally encourage a love of science throughout the district