A Science Feel-Good at the Gladstone
I call it a brain crackle — that moment when synapses fire, memories are burned and ideas are kindled. Understanding how that happens is a scientific question. Knowing that it does happen is a behavioral fact.
There was a lot of crackling at the UCSF-affiliated Gladstone Institutes on July 12, 2007, when hundreds of high school students from around the country, participating in the National Student Leadership Conference, were led through an engaging sampler of Gladstone science, followed by hands-on demonstrations.
View the introduction:
For the full video story, check back during the week of July 16, 2007.
The Gladstone has made a cultural virtue of outreach, believing that the public understanding of science — as well as our future supply of scientists &mdash requires special attention. Indeed, the Gladstone Community Student Outreach Committee is dedicated to developing new programs and activities that capture students' imagination and introduce them to the wonders of science — goals the committee shares with UCSF's Science & Health Education Partnership, with whom it partners as well. Every student benefits, of course, but program organizers particularly cultivate connections with minority students in the local community.
Junipero Serra Elementary School in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood is just one example of how this principle works. In 2005–2006, Serra students and Gladstone scientists were pen pals.
Here is an excerpt from one of the student letters.
"I'd like to ask you some science questions. How was the sun and moon formed? How was mineral and water formed? Now I would like to ask questions about you. What ever made you get interested in science? What kind of science do you study? Do you study about nature, animals, space, or others? I can't wait till you come to my school... I really like science."
Here is an excerpt from the scientist's response.
"I study how the different types of cells in the human body work and what happens to them when they get sick. By looking at what goes wrong in a sick cell, one can often find a way to help a sick person get better again."
From such innocent, encouraging exchanges, brains come alive, curiosity grows and new doors open. Better yet, it's a two-way street. Now that's a brain pathway we should all be so lucky to tread.
Alternative content
Related Links
- Gladstone Institutes
- National Student Leadership Conference
- Gladstone Community Student Outreach Committee
- UCSF Science and Health Education Partnership
- Gladstone Partnership with Junipero Serra Elementary School