This open learning database of science experiments has been designed by CSU Channel Islands student, Natalie Olivares with Dr. Safa Khan in the chemistry department. The experiments were designed by students in Chemistry and Society (Chem 100) and Energy and Society (Chem 344) courses. This pipeline project is designed for PreK-8th grade students to perform STEM science experiments in their own homes or classrooms with common materials; thereby bridging the gap between pre-college and college students. By using a “senior to junior” collaboration model, CSUCI undergraduate students have directly built projects for PreK-8th grade students focusing on basic scientific principles such as the scientific method.
This database provides high-quality activities which highlight STEM concepts at an early grade level – thus truly creating an equitable and accessible educational pipeline from PreK-College for our community regardless of their socio-economic background and means, thereby increasing diversity and inclusion of matriculating college students.
The CSUCI students collaborated with 18 faculty from Rio Del Sol Elementary School in Oxnard, CA. The CSUCI students purchased supplies for the teachers to model the experiment and for the elementary students to complete the experiments in the virtual and face-to-face classrooms. Over 577 elementary school students from k-8th grades participated in this project. The experiments were tested and validated by the elementary school faculty and students.
The database has been provided to local schools and families and will increase equity and sustainability within the community. This project enables teachers and families to make STEM activities in their own classrooms and homes. The dissemination of this project will not be limited to the end of the local community, but will hopefully continue to grow and provide a strong foundation that will hopefully inspire teachers and students in STEM subjects.
Funding for this project has been provided by external funding from Adobe and internal funding from CSUCI by IRA (instructionally related activities fund) and Faculty Small Grants Progam.
Goals
• Students will develop knowledge and skills in digital storytelling, visual design and video production.
• Create an open learning database of student-generated science experiments to be disseminated across the country.
• Identify the interconnection of higher education, the community and knowledge.
• Conduct planned investigations using the scientific method to reach reasoned conclusions.
• Increase equity and sustainability within the community.
• Enable teachers and families to make STEM activities in their own classrooms and homes.
• Promote a campus culture where STEM activities are normal and expected at young grade levels.
