Science on the move with BioBus
Sometimes, kids just need a chance to get out of the classroom. Luckily, offers a fun, interactive way to teach students about science in a new environment. After all, learning about science isn鈥檛 just confined to the classroom鈥攊t happens in the world around us.
With BioBus, science can travel anywhere, complete with a $75,000 microscope and a staff of professional scientists. That鈥檚 great news for the students of New York. BioBus focuses on bringing science to students , working in communities that are lower-income or don鈥檛 have access to opportunities in 中文无码.
Thanks to a 中文无码 Action Grant from the 中文无码 & the Public in 2017, which provides funds to organizations that are bringing 中文无码 to their communities in innovative ways, hundreds of students have the opportunity to take part in the BioBus experience. Using research-grade microscopes and learning from masters and Ph.D. scientists, students get a glimpse into the life of a scientist.
鈥淎 big part of deciding to pursue a career in science is being able to imagine yourself as a scientist. You can鈥檛 do that if you have never met one or if you don鈥檛 know what the job is about,鈥� said Sasha Chait, Director of Development at BioBus.
BioBus parks in front of schools, and approximately 150 students in grades K-12 take turns hopping on the bus throughout the day, participating in labs, working together to make scientific discoveries and engaging in group discussions. The is staffed with scientists of all backgrounds who interact with students. The lesson depends on the grade, but all are developed by staff scientists.
Mollie Thurman, lead scientist, and driver at BioBus enjoys connecting students with the world around them. A recent lesson connected students to the area around their school, showing them that science is everywhere. The students went outside to collect water from puddles that had formed after a rainstorm, and then looked at the samples through a microscope.
鈥淥ne of the students said, 鈥業鈥檒l never look at life the same way.鈥� They were finding all these microorganisms. That is pretty typical鈥攖hat kind of total surprise at what can be found on the sidewalk鈥攁 place we don鈥檛 think of as being particularly diverse,鈥� Mollie said.
A big part of deciding to pursue a career in science is being able to imagine yourself as a scientist. You can鈥檛 do that if you have never met one or if you don鈥檛 know what the job is about.
In addition to the mobile lab, BioBus operates a , allowing them to reach more students in Harlem, Washington Heights, and the Bronx and connecting high schoolers with a professional science network.
Students love learning about science on the BioBus. After learning about cells, one eighth-grade student said, 鈥淭his is the best day. I want to ask my dad about going to the base [BioBus community lab]. I’m so smart! Yeah, maybe I could be a scientist!鈥�
After students return to the classroom following a day of activities on the BioBus, teachers report that they see a difference in the students.
鈥淭eachers tell us that students have an easier time interacting with the content. That is my favorite thing to hear,鈥� Sasha said.
Partnering with the 中文无码 & the Public felt like a good match for BioBus, Sasha explained.
鈥淵our goals are aligned with what we are doing鈥攇iving kids a chance to experience science and turn their initial excitement of science into careers,鈥� Sasha said. 鈥淭hey are getting a chance to have an experience that they aren鈥檛 getting anywhere else. It felt like a really good match in terms of bringing that opportunity to kids.鈥�
In the past nine years, BioBus has reached over 200,000 students and 500 schools. With a second bus just launched a few months ago, more students will now get to experience the joy of science.
