To complete the hat trick, HuSCI returned once more to Denny International Middle School in February 2024 for another eagerly anticipated 7th-grade science lesson. We gathered 22 enthusiastic scientists from the University of Washington, a mix of graduate students, research scientists, and post-docs, to volunteer their science expertise at the event. Amongst the group, 6 committee members were present, who, prior to the event, held multiple trainings for the volunteers to prepare them for the visit, demo the in-class activity, and help build connections amongst colleagues.
As the visit ensued, our volunteers introduced themselves and their research to the students, laying the groundwork for a fun lesson on phase changes. Soon after, we moved on to the lesson plan, which included an exciting demonstration for the students. This particular model comprised HuSCI’s first chemistry lesson, so our committee members had to think out of the box to create an engaging activity for the 7th graders. With some equipment help from the UW Chemistry Department, we performed the Phase Change Balloon experiment in class to demonstrate how kinetic energy and temperature relate to phase changes. Our volunteers executed the activity perfectly in class as, in total, 200+ students keenly observed a fundamental chemical concept in action. We coupled the demonstration with a thought-provoking worksheet to stretch the students’ thinking and help them apply the information to real-world situations. The feedback we received from the students was overwhelmingly positive, echoing the positive sentiments from previous visits:
"It was great, and very interesting to have more people in class"
"Thank you for helping us I learned something new"
"You guys are nice, kind and cool!"
As we reflect on this event, we feel very proud to have had yet another successful and impactful event. HuSCI is extremely thankful for the time and effort of our amazing volunteers, as well as the support from Denny International Middle School and the Seattle Public School District. As we plan for future visits at Denny, we are excited to continue making an impact on these young minds and helping to inspire them.
Comments