Experiments create excitement

January 24, 2008 01:09 pm

— BY MIKE MOREALLI
AMERICORPS MEMBER
I am member of the Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps (PMSC), a branch of AmeriCorps. My job site is St. Francis University, Loretto, where I spend much of my time working with the ROCK (Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids) program.
I have lead and assisted leaders in teaching science experiments to children in local area schools. This has been a new but exciting experience for me. I feel the science experiments we teach have a lasting impact on the children and the St. Francis service-learning participants that contribute to the event. This is evident by witnessing the excitement on participants’ faces when they get to make slime, clean up an oil spill or make ice cream.
I particularly have a fond memory of working with the kindergarten children at Northern Cambria Catholic School in Nicktown. We taught the pupils about germs and how to keep their hands clean. Some children were shy about interacting with the St. Francis service participants at first, but over time were asking questions, laughing, and taking part in the experiment. The children had the opportunity to look at “pretend” germs on their hands under a black light. Each child then washed their hands to remove the “germs.” They then put their hands under the black light again to see how well they did at washing. While having fun, they learned about germs and how to properly wash their hands.
I have been appreciative of how polite and thankful teachers and children have been to the St. Francis ROCK program. Teachers often comment about the professionalism of the SFU service participants and ask if the program can come back to teach another experiment. These and other memories have made a lasting impact on me and I look forward to making new memories in events to come.