The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Students experience hands on science
Students at Midview West Elementary School at 13080 Durkee Road in Grafton received Dec. 14 handson learning to better understand the world around them.
The event, Exploring Ecology by the Center of Science and Industry, featured multiple stations operated by parent volunteers and faculty.
“The whole event is all about students getting that hands-on experience, and being actively involved in the learning process,” said Kelli Kinzig, outreach educator for COSI. “We are a science museum in Columbus, and we also have the COSI on Wheels program that has us traveling to different school districts, like today at Midview, to bring a hands-on experience right to the students.”
Kinzig said the event involves students traveling to different stations to explore multiple facets of ecology.
“The students will learn about plants, animals, adaptations and more,” she said. “We have one station focusing on discovering the age of
a tree by looking at the rings inside it.
“We also have a station where students learn about the stages of metamorphosis, one where they can touch furs of various animals, one that simulates how birds pick up their food and more.”
Kinzig said the event was created with state standards in mind.
“We look at what the state of Ohio requires the students to know, and we base our event off of that,” she said. “We want them to take away a better understanding
of ecology. Hopefully, the students learn something and the experience is memorable and sticks with them.”
Meg Reichle, a fourthgrade teacher at Midview West Elementary, said every year, COSI visits the campus.
“It’s a big event and the students love it,” Reichle said. “I want to thank the Midview Endowment Fund which finances the event.
“I also want to thank the Midview PTA for feeding our volunteers and the volunteers themselves, most of them parents, who were willing to help out.”
Reichle said the hands-on experience is an important part of learning.
“Students like to interact with the various stations,” she said. “COSI does a great job of piquing the student’s interest and providing the vast number of resources they have to deepen the learning experience.”
Patricia Hamilton, principal at Midview West Elementary, said COSI stayed at the school the entire day.
“The full day allows each student to get the chance to experience the stations,” Hamilton said. “It’s a fun day for everyone involved, and I’m glad we can have this for our students.
“It’s also great to have some of the parents in here volunteering. It gives them a chance to see first hand how the endowment fund is used to enhance the students education experience.”