Learning about polymers and the human nervous system turned out to be a lot of fun for a group of Grade 5 students at Driftwood Public School.
"It’s awesome," said Michelle Huynh, as she took part in a hands-on experiment to make a rubber ball while learning about what polymers are and how they work. "It’s really fun."
Michelle and her classmates also got to make "slime," just another interactive science lesson courtesy of Project START! (Students, Teachers And Researchers Teach) Science Canada, launched this past October by York University biology student Leedan Cohen.
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"Many public schools can’t afford labs," said Cohen, who first got involved with Project START! when she took undergraduate courses in the United States.
When Cohen returned to Canada, she send out emails to see if any schools would be interested in participating in the innovative program.
After talking with principal Debra Lavine and noting the program would be run free of charge, Cohen and her team of volunteers worked with teachers like Sheri Alcordo to integrate the program into the Ontario science curriculum.
"It’s not just a lab experiment, but there’s a take-home message," said Cohen, explaining Project START! aims to teach students how science is practical in their daily lives. "They all grasped it (the lessons) perfectly."
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Each lesson starts off with a multi-media presentation followed by a variety of hands-on experiments done in small groups.
Alcordo welcomed the opportunity to partner with other community leaders to help students become more engaged in learning.
"We build upon other people’s knowledge," said Alcordo, noting that with the school’s limited budget, it also helps Project START! supplies extra materials as well as extra volunteers. "And it complemented with what we were teaching."
Grade 5 student Joel Boabi-Boateng said it’s been a great experience so far.
"I didn’t know anything about the human body or the nervous system," said Joel, adding he won’t soon forget the lessons he’s learned this year. "It’s actually memorable."
While Cohen is still attending York University, she’s hoping to expand the program with more funding to be taught in more schools.
For more information about Project START!, check out the Facebook page at Project Start Science Canada, or email projectstartCanada@gmail.com
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