San Jacinto College Central science lab supervisor Ruben Ramirez, also a San Jacinto College graduate, demonstrates how chemicals react when combined during the science night project held recently at McMasters Elementary School. Helping Ramirez in the demonstration is San Jacinto College student Courtney Mann, who serves as a chemistry lab assistant at the College.

In the innovative live demonstrations, San Jacinto College science faculty members and student volunteers help elementary students in hands-on science experiments at project stations, such as: gak, which involves mixing glue paste, water and a borax solution to demonstrate the properties of long molecules called polymers; shrinky-dink, which involves heating pieces of polystyrene plastic and making the material shrink dramatically to demonstrate how polystyrene shrinks in a symmetrical fashion; and skewer balloon, which involves pushing a lubricated skewer through the thick part of a balloon to demonstrate the elastic properties of some molecules.

The College crew recently visited McMasters Elementary School in Pasadena to share their love for science with fifth-graders, who were eager to participate and learn.

Dr. Ann Cartwright, chair of San Jacinto College Central’s chemistry, geology and physics departments, says such extracurricular activities can greatly enhance classroom learning for the College’s science students. “The students get additional one-on-one time with their teacher during preparation for the event,” she commented. “So, the teacher gets to know the students better and in a different setting, not just in the classroom or lab on campus.”

Cartwright said the science night demonstrations benefit both the college and the elementary students. “The San Jac students like the set-up. They interact one-on-one with the elementary students and really feel like they are teaching,” she noted. “The fifth-graders take a science TAKS test in May, so it’s like a science pep rally for them.”

It was the first time for San Jacinto College to conduct such an activity at McMasters and it was an instant success. “The staff and students had an absolutely wonderful time,” commented Dahlia Salem, who teaches fifth grade at the elementary school. “The students still talk about their favorite activities and still wear the plastic tags (Shrinky dinks) proudly. I’ve already asked San Jacinto College to stage another Science Night here in the fall.” 

San Jacinto College student Caitlin Mallory said interacting with younger students through the science projects is a creative way to combine fun and education. “I enjoy community service and being able to see the science we listen and learn about in action makes it easier to understand,” she commented. “Science is an important part of everyday life and kids should learn that studying science can be interesting. If we keep them interested, then we are molding the future scientists of the world.”

The College’s science department has conducted three science night projects at local elementary schools during the Spring term and plans to conduct one more, at Genoa Elementary School in Pasadena.

A wide range of science courses and degree options are available at all three San Jacinto College campuses. For more information, please call 281-998-6150 or visit http://www.sanjac.edu/.