Over the past three years, we have led the University’s involvement in a program to enhance the science curriculum in the Geneva, NY City School District by connecting scientists at the University with students and teachers in the elementary schools. The project was initiated by the District, and a true partnership has developed. This outreach project is intentionally directed toward elementary school students because this is where children often make fundamental decisions that influence their career-track. One of the goals of this project is to build enthusiasm and enhance literacy in groups that are currently underrepresented in plant science. The most effective way to accomplish this goal is to provide exciting inquiry-based learning opportunities for students and teachers at the elementary level. Enhancing science literacy is not only good for the District, but building such an appreciation for agriculture is good for growers and Cornell as well. We will perform applied research to asses the impact of the project. We believe the project is having a great impact because in 2005-2006, students that were in the summer science camp all passed the State mandated fourth-grade science competency exam.

The overall goal of this project is to nurture a passion for plant science, entomology, and agriculture among a diverse population of elementary school students. The average elementary school student spends one hour per week or less studying science, and school districts are concerned about this situation. Because of our commitment to science education, Cornell University has developed a partnership with the Geneva City school district. Geneva is a high needs District, and there are great opportunities to build enthusiasm for agriculture and plant science. Students in third and fourth grade were targeted for the program because the New York State science proficiency exam is administered at the end of the fourth grade. Inquiry-based, hands-on science activities were needed to engage this audience.

The project begins in April, when Drs. Smart and Reiners visit with each of the third-grade classes at the two elementary schools in the district. Each class learns about seeds, and also plant seeds which are brought back the Experiment Station. During each session, there are hands-on activities which inspire many questions. In May, each of the classes visits the Experiment Station and learns about the research performed here. The students observe how well their plants grew in the greenhouse. Finally in the first week of June, we bring the plants to the elementary school and the students plant their gardens. The second component of the project is a five-week summer science camp which is open to any interested students that have just completed the third grade. While not all students will elect to attend, 20-30 students are expected;there were 24 students in 2006. Some students will be specifically targeted by the school because of literacy or other needs, and others will attend because of specific interests in science. The school is confident that a cross section of the diverse student body will be represented. In the fall, we again visit the school and complete the plant life cycle by harvesting seed from fruit. The project ends with a harvest festival for all students, teachers and parents.

Because we interact with every third-grade student in the district, we have the potential for large-scale impact. Other beneficiaries include the school district, NYSAES and Cornell (through positive community involvement), agricultural producers, and the community as a whole. Success of the program is based on attendance (which has been at 95 percent) and an increased proficiency on the New York State science assessment exam. To date, all students that have attended the science camp have passed the science assessment exam. Additionally, the teachers and administrators have noticed an impact on the attitude towards science among students.

elementary education

For my component of the project, involving entomology, I have no specific funds, but perform this outreach activity backed by my NSF and USDA funds from resaerch projects.