As a result of funding from Verizon we were able to offer a two week summer science camp experience for 38 children served by the Mary McCleod Bethune Transitional Center. Part of Long Beach Unified School District, Bethune Transitional Center provides services and support for students in the district who are homeless. Students may stay at the school for 30 days as they transition to a traditional school.
A teaching staff of five was hired to provide the SEE US Succeed! program (Science Education Experience to help Underserved Students Succeed!) . All five were veterans of the Young Scientists Camp program, the successful program held at CSULB for the past 8 years. The SEE US Succeed! project was modeled after the Young Scientists Camp program with veteran teachers serving as mentors for teacher candidates in our credential program. The teaching team met for a week of planning prior to the implementation of SEE US Succeed! and then led the camp July 27 – August 8, at Bethune.
The K-3 team provided lessons and hands-on experiences around the theme of creepy crawlers. Nineteen students studied ladybugs, meal worms, red worms, Japanese beetles, Painted Lady Butterflies, pillbugs, and almost every crawling critter they could find on campus. Curriculum used by this team included Critters (AIMS), Schoolyard Ecology (GEMS) and Terrarium Habitats (GEMS).
The 4-8th grade team had 19 junior CSI agents! The program saw students solving mysteries using fingerprints, lip prints, blood typing, handwriting analysis, chemical tests, hair sample testing, fiber analysis, and more. When possible, current events were used in connection to the mysteries solved. A local robbery at Trader Joe's (where one of the Teaching Associates works) was introduced. A crime in Chicago used chemical analysis and handwriting samples.
The teams went on two field trips. July 31st the group went to the California Science Center. The Crime Solvers were able to attend an IMAX film The Human Body and the Creepy Crawlers visited the Butterfly Garden associated with the LA Natural History Museum. On August 8th they spent the day at the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific.
The grant provided participants with school supplies for use during camp which they were able to keep so that they could start the school year with a pencil box filled with rudimentary supplies such as pencil, scissors, colored pencils, and rulers. Participants also received a few science supplies. Younger children got magnifying glasses, magnifying bug boxes, and butterfly nets. The older children got a compass, cardboard collapsible binoculars, an invisible ink pen and protractor and ruler. All participants received a white, collared shirt with the Verizon logo and Camp information printed on the breast pocket. This shirt was selected over a t-shirt as it can be used during the school year.
The campers had a great time and learned lots. Pre and post assessments showed that students learned process skills in addition to content. Their attitudes about science improved and several listed science related careers as something of interest after participating in the camp.
All five teachers involved spoke of the increased empathy they have for these students. The Teaching Associates in particular were surprised to learn about the challenges the Bethune students face. Uncertain living conditions, many people sharing a tiny space, altercations with law enforcement are just some of the issues that these children face daily. One particularly bright youngster had a desk filled with books given to him while he attended Bethune. He loved the books but couldn't bring them home because he shares a small space with 8 siblings. This was eye opening to the CSULB students. I am sure this experience will change how they interact with families and the types of assumptions they make. believe they will be more sympathetic to their future students.
Here's what the students said when asked about their favorite part of science camp.
We are extremely grateful to Mike Murray at Verizon for supporting our proposal and the Verizon Foundation for providing the funding to support this project. We look forward to partnering with Verizon and LBUSD's Bethune Center in the future to bring this experience to another group of students.
