Families, teachers take part in March for Science
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Kids in the Pre-K in the Park program took part in a recent March for Science, organized by the Skidmore College Environmental Action Club.
The activity was one of many similar events, held on Saturday, April 14, as part of a nationwide March for Science movement for science advocacy.
Ten Pre-K in the Park families and two teachers took part in the march with other community members.
“We wanted to march with our children to support their work as budding scientists and to help them have memories of supporting science in our community,” said teacher Heather Stewart. “We believe in a strong science program starting in preschool because children at this age learn best through handson experiences.”
“We teach children vocabulary through our twice-a-week science program,” she said. “Children go into kindergarten with words like photosynthesis, hibernation, precipitation, atoms, micros, plasma and more. Of course, we match this with long, daily outside play experiences in Congress Park. Children ask a million questions through the seasons and learn about their environment.”
The day before the march, Stewart and fellow teacher Emily Van Tassel provided paint and cardboard for kids to make signs they could carry in the march.
“The children had a great session of painting and singing science songs such as ‘ Hibernation and Migration’ and ‘ Water Travels in a Circle’,” Stewart said. “They marched around the classroom after the paint dried proclaiming, ‘I am a born scientist.’ They also hung signs on their wagon with the slogan, ‘Science or bust!’”
Pre-K in the Park is a nature based full- day pre- school program held at the Saratoga Arts building, 320 Broadway, in Congress Park, Saratoga Springs.
“Science rocks,” Stewart said. “These children are going to change the world.” For more information about the New York City-based March for Science go to: marchforscience.com.