Volunteers needed for elementary school Science Celebrations

At one of the Science Celebrations, Pauline Smidt, a volunteer from Immunex, guides a family through an activity based on a food chemistry kit.

The Family Science program, one of several outreach efforts based in the School of Medicine’s Department of Molecular Biotechnology, supports the work of the Seattle Partnership for Inquiry-Based Science, funded by the National Science Foundation, to improve elementary science teaching in Seattle Public Schools.

The program is now looking for volunteers to fill 120 spots at Science Celebrations to be held at Seattle-area elementary schools this spring. Volunteers don’t need specific expertise; anyone working in a job related to science is welcome. The Science Celebrations are held weekday evenings, usually from 6:30 or 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Science Celebrations include the school’s students and their parents, teachers, UW students and the volunteer scientists. The volunteers will help students and Family Science staff run the activities and encourage children and parents to participate. Each Celebration event will have a member of the Family Science staff as lead organizer. Volunteer scientists have come from a variety of corporate and community partners, including the UW, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Boeing, Immunex and the Association for Women Scientists. UW students in a science service learning program and the Chemistry 120 course also help with the events.

Heather Mitchell, manager of the Family Science program, noted that the events differ somewhat depending on the history and culture of the school, but typically include two types of science activities—those related to clasroom science units and those provided by Family Science. Each grade level chooses an activity from a science unit they’ve been working on and puts out materials and cards with questions for participants. Family Science brings hands-on activities appropriate for both parents and children.

Mitchell said that 20 Science Celebrations have been scheduled between early March and late May. For a list of dates and elementary schools, plus instructions for volunteers, see the Website at http://chroma.mbt.washington.edu/outreach/fam_sci.html

To volunteer, send e-mail to Mitchell at hkmitch@u.washington.edu or call her at 616-4541. ¶

Claire Dietz