Saint Francis University Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids (ROCK) Program - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Saint Francis University Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids (ROCK) Program

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Saint Francis University Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids (ROCK) Program Dr. Edward P. Zovinka Associate Prof. of Chemistry & ROCK Director What is ROCK? – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Saint Francis University Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids (ROCK) Program


1
Saint Francis University Rural Outreach
Chemistry for Kids (ROCK) Program
  • Dr. Edward P. Zovinka
  • Associate Prof. of Chemistry ROCK Director

2
What is ROCK?
  • It is an outreach project initiated in 1994 to
    share hands-on science activities with the local
    community
  • Saint Francis students lead the hands-on
    activities to K-12 students
  • Saint Francis students share their knowledge
    under the supervision of chemistry faculty

3
Benefits to the Saint Francis Students
  • University students share their knowledge
  • Practice Oral Communication Skills
  • Gain Confidence
  • Use course material outside of classroom
  • Fun!

4
Benefits to the K-12 Students
  • Learn new science material
  • Observe Good role models (women in science!)
  • Fun!

5
How do We Make Contact?
  • All(?) local schools (within 45min-1hr drive of
    SFU) are sent letters annually
  • Letter explains program and lists activities
  • Teacher select event or can ask for new ones
  • Word of Mouth

6
Types of Activities
  • Age Appropriate
  • High School
  • Liquid Nitrogen
  • Zeolites in Detergents
  • Middle School
  • Chromatography
  • Diaper Chemistry
  • Elementary School
  • Eggshell Geodes
  • Slime
  • Oobleck

7
Are We Busy?Yes We Are!
  • Strictly Volunteer-No extra pay or time from
    University for faculty
  • Student Volunteers
  • ROCK Director (stipends at beginning of
    semesters)
  • Service Hours
  • Part of Chem Class
  • Part of RLST Faith Franciscanism
  • Honors Program Service Hours
  • 19941995 6 events reaching 120 K-12 students
  • 2000-2001, 66 events reaching 1,500 K-12 students
  • Generally run 2-3 events each week of academic
    year including weekends evenings

8
Projects of the ROCK Program
  • Lead as many ROCK activities as possible
  • High School Affiliations
  • Harmony High School Little ROCK Program
  • Nancy Gobert
  • Ferndale Area ASK Program
  • Christine Wasil
  • ROCK Institute 2000
  • May-June Program
  • Assessment

9
High School Affiliations
  • Harmony Little ROCK established in 1999
  • Mrs. Nancy Gobert
  • Establishes 5 teams consisting of 4 H.S. students
  • Little ROCK can meet with 4 different
    classes/visit
  • Training sessions at SFU
  • Ferndale ASK- established in 2000
  • Ms. Christine Wasil
  • One team of 7 students holding a one day event
  • Trained with SFU faculty students
  • This year-expanded beyond chemistry, connections
    to other teachers, disciplines

10
ROCK Institute 2000
  • The R.O.C.K. Institute 2000 was held on October 5
    and 6, 200 at Saint Francis University
  • Schools represented
  • Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School, St. Rose
    of Lima School
  • Northern Cambria High School, Harmony Area High
    School
  • Holy Name School, Conemaugh Township Area
    Intermediate School
  • Clearfield Area High School, All Saints Catholic
    School
  • Bishop Carroll High School, Penn Cambria High
    School
  • Everett Area High School
  • Purpose of event
  • Invite 10 local teachers to meet with the
    R.O.C.K. director, SFU professors as well as the
    Little R.O.C.K. group from Harmony High School to
    brainstorm for new ideas as well as to share
    helpful information in science education. 

11
ROCK Institute 2000
Participants Learned more about ROCK Practiced
Hands-on Science Activities Explored Grant
options
12
May-June Program
  • Problem
  • While the SFU academic year ends in early May,
    K-12 schools often run into mid-June
  • Always have more interest for visits than time
    during academic year
  • Solution
  • Student ROCK Director along with 2-4 SFU students
    lead events 3-4 days a week, multiple events per
    day
  • Need Money for stipends (Highmark
    BlueCross/BlueShield funded for one year)

13
Assessment
  • During the fall semester 2001, we examined the
    effect of ROCK on the SFU students as well as the
    K-12 students
  • K-12 Students
  • Attitude toward science
  • SFU Students
  • Most(all) participating as part of Service
    Learning requirements
  • Examining the effect of a Service Learning
    Project on students
  • Academic Progress through Pre Post Tests
  • Attitudinal

14
Who Has Paid the Bills?
  • Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh
    (SACP)
  • Thomas Chevrolet
  • Saint Francis University Chemistry Club
  • Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield (2000-2001)
  • PA Campus Compact (2001-2002)

15
People in the Program
  • Faculty/Staff
  • Dr. Rose Clark
  • Dr. Balazs Hargittai
  • Dr. Pedro Muino
  • Dr. Edward P. Zovinka
  • Current Student ROCK Director
  • Jelena Petrovic
  • Past Student ROCK Directors
  • Ryan Howard
  • Chrissy Wasil
  • Michele Vermillion
  • Susan Weymer
  • Jenna Hruska
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