Students from the Castleton Natural Sciences Department took to a local elementary school to help promote science education to young students by helping to plan and execute a science fair at Orwell Village School in December.
After working closely with the sixth, seventh and eighth grade students throughout the semester to plan the event, both Castleton Natural Sciences students and faculty attended the multi-grade science fair, making for a positive and meaningful learning opportunity.
“Introducing scientific thinking at a young age is absolutely critical,” said biology senior Rachel Orr, President of the Science Association at Castleton. “Events like this make science fun and applicable.”
Orr shared that the Castleton student volunteers helped the middle schoolers to develop their projects including creating a hypothesis, predictions and solution methods. The Castleton Science Association also supplied materials for all the projects and supported the groups while they conducted their experiments.
“Teaching kids to think and question all aspects of a process is what helps develop independent and strong individuals,” said Orr. “This type of interaction helps drive how important education is.”