This semester we went to three venues - Ella Barnes Elementary School, Webb Elementary School and Gregory-Portland Intermediate. This is what students had to say about the experience:
"I think it is wonderful when students are so excited about learning, and even more so when that learning has to do with science or math. Thee are the subjects that students and some teachers try to stay away from. It is a huge concern in our country that we get more students excited about these neglected subjects. I have learned so much about myself from this experience as well."
"Science night made me realize that in order for students to understand a certain concept of science that you are trying to teach, they must be able to relate it to themselves."
"I honestly loved interacting with so many students and parents because each and everyone of them had something special that they brought to the table. It was fun to watch the parents enjoy their children."
"Getting practice interacting with parents is also a huge benefit that will help us all as future teachers."
"I actually got to teach a science lesson to elementary students in a non-threatening environment. The costs were definitely worth the benefits because it is an experience that I feel is necessary to understand the dynamics between the schools and their faculty, students, and parents."
"Parents were really involved and thankful for the information we gave them. Those parents really inspired me to be a teacher, because I know that I will influence not only the students, but the parents as well."
"I don't think (family science) really changed any ideas I had about science teachers in particular, but it was an eye opener when it came to how I was going to adapt my little 'speech' to a 5 year old who couldn't care less about the health risks of sugar and just loved chocolate milk."
"The experience changed my perspective of science teaching because it wasn't about cycles or doing labs, more more about being healthy. Health is important in everyone's life, expecially young children who are growing and trying to figure out how their bodies work."
"Fun is a keyword when teaching young students. The fun that the project is the more the students will remember because they enjoyed it."
"As long as I can remember, I hated science with a passion. Every science class I had to take in middle school leading up to college was horrible. Every class I had had us mainly learning from a textbook. From these experiences, I learned that science doesn't have to be taught in that manner. If a science lesson could be turned into a situation relating to real life, the information would be retained for a longer period of time. If science teaching consisted of having all lessons have some kinds of "hands- on" activity after each lesson, the n students would never be afraid of science."
"I know that now I am a step closer to become the really amazing teacher that I want to be."
