After-School Kids Camp students observe zebrafish brought by Katharine Lewis to the Westcott Community Center.
Local elementary and middle school students dove head first into science with help from 黑料不打烊 biologists鈥攁nd a few fishy friends. Associate professor and lab members brought a bevy of zebrafish to the Westcott Community Center this May as part of an ongoing science outreach program, organized by biology Ph.D. candidate .
鈥淲e wanted to show the students that they can do science and that it鈥檚 loads of fun,鈥 says Lewis.
Lewis is no stranger to outreach, having previously organized experiments addressing developmental biology questions using zebrafish, her lab鈥檚 research animal. Past outreach includes partnering with and developing a biology apprenticeship experience for local high school students, which has been offered nine times, reaching 154 students from four . When McDonough emailed faculty members to get involved with programming at the Westcott Community Center this spring, Lewis jumped at the chance.
Katharine Lewis
鈥淭his was the first time we have worked with a younger age group, and it was a lot of fun and very rewarding,鈥 Lewis says. 鈥淚 think we had a big impact on the participants, including the staff and parents.鈥
The science outreach program is a student favorite at the Westcott Community Center鈥檚 , which serves local 8- to 14-year-olds. At the Kids Club, run by Mitch Cyrus and Matt Stevens, 黑料不打烊 City School District students receive targeted tutoring, followed by enriching activities from 3-6 p.m. every school day, free of charge.
Zebrafish, a tropical, freshwater fish commonly kept in home aquariums, provided a great introduction to ideas about development and how physical features can vary in a single species. Lewis lab members, including grad students, postdoctoral researchers, technicians and several undergrads, brought five activity stations for the students to explore.
Zebrafish
Students followed the complete zebrafish lifecycle, from embryo to adult, with some colorful surprises along the way. In addition to the naturally striped fish, Lewis brought albino and differently pigmented adults and embryos, as well as embryos that had been genetically engineered to glow fluorescent green.
Lewis fondly recalls one young woman looking through a microscope and jumping back with a surprised 鈥渨ow,鈥 followed by imploring friends to come take a look at the vibrant fish on view.
鈥淚 hope that by providing these experiences we can increase students鈥 confidence and interest in science,鈥 Lewis says. 鈥淭he goal is to encourage them to think of themselves as scientists, rather than feeling intimidated or put off by science.鈥
At the day鈥檚 conclusion, parents arriving at the center to pick up their children were engrossed by the fishy visitors too.
鈥淚 love it when the adults also get drawn in. Getting parents involved in the students鈥 enthusiasm is another way to increase the impact of the activities. I also think it is more powerful when the parent鈥檚 involvement arises from natural curiosity, like it did here at the Kids Club,鈥 Lewis says.
Kids Club programming has concluded for the school year, but McDonough, Cyrus and Stevens will bring back science outreach this fall. If you are a researcher who is interested in participating, contact McDonough via email.
