News

Halloween STEM Outreach

On October 31, Dr. Taylor took eleven students from his Physical Science (PHS 101) course to the Rochester City School District (RCSD) – Nathaniel Rochester Community School #3 for a Halloween STEM Outreach.  The Roberts Wesleyan College students, all elementary education majors, designed short five minute science activities illustrating elementary concepts in chemistry, earth science, and physics for the 3rd grade students at School #3.  During the afternoon session, approximately sixty students rotated through a series of activities highlighting polymers, erosion events, catapults, acid/base reactions, gas generation reactions, static electricity, hydroplaning, and density.  After rotating through each activity, the students were given a bag of Halloween candy and snacks to take home. 

The event was a huge success and part of a continued partnership between the Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences and Nathaniel Rochester Community School #3.  Roberts Wesleyan students, along with faculty, have traditionally visited School #3 once a month for a number of years to cover topics that are part of the 4th grade standards for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) topics.  This year, the program is expanding to work with 3rd grade students during the spring semester.  The Halloween STEM event served as a kickoff event for these students leading into next semester.