From Dinosaur Digging To Space Exploration:

Students Have Their ‘Minds on Science!’

By Larissa Lytwyn

 NEW MILFORD — Four local educators and 33 students participated in the 2003 Minds on Science program, an enrichment camp based at New Milford High School that drew more than 800 regionwide first through ninth graders this year, July 7–18.

Sponsored by local agencies and businesses, the program gives young science enthusiasts the opportunity to study zoology, chemistry, astronomy, and other fields in settings outside the traditional classroom. In as little as one or two weeks, students learned how to build model satellites, mold their own Tyrannosaurus Rex teeth, perform a molecular analysis of tap water, type blood in forensic study, investigate how taste buds can deceive in a study of artificial flavors and more.

In “Stream Safari,” John Reed taught third and fourth graders how to use microscopes to examine creatures nearly invisible to the naked eye, as well as how to test pollution levels in fresh water. These lessons were not performed around New Milford High School. Instead, students took several trips to area streams, wading thigh-deep into nature’s living laboratory.

Newtown teacher Renee Marino taught fourth and fifth graders how artificial flavors changed the perception of taste. Students made their own ice cream, gummy bears, and apple pie in the process. In “Geo Science,” Leslie Troy taught third and fourth graders the relationship between mathematics and science through discovering the properties of aerodynamics and graphing charts to measure crystalline growth. Finally, Tim Zeno served as an instructional aide in Marine Biology and Steam Ecology for students’ grades five through seven. The course was taught almost entirely on board the Maritime Aquarium’s research vessel, Oceanic, on Long Island Sound.

Student eligibility for the program was based on report card records, complete with comments section, indicating their proficiency in science. Classes were limited to 20 students and registration was based on a first come, first served basis. All materials and supplies were included in the registration fee, which ranged from $150 to $290. For more information on the Minds on Science program, visit www.mindsonscience.org, email info@mindsonscience.org or call 203-938-5678.