Beaming Science to Rural Student Classrooms
Aspirnaut students become rural scientists engaging in hands-on, inquiry based STEM labs led by university faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students.
Turning Rural Classrooms Into Science Labs This intervention includes weekly videoconferencing of inquiry-based hands-on STEM labs from Vanderbilt University by STEM students and faculty to rural elementary and middle school students. Labs are done during school or as an after school program. Onsite at the rural school, a teacher or teacher’s aide plus an advanced science high school student will facilitate the onsite lab session by assisting students, troubleshooting, and ensuring student safety. |
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Weekly Labs Revolve Around A Scientific Theme STEM lab kits developed by Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science (VSVS) and Aspirnaut staff are supplied to schools. The weekly labs revolve around a scientific theme that continues for several weeks, is linked to the teacher’s curriculum, and culminates with projects designed to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. There is an emphasis on exploring how science impacts the student's life on a day-to-day basis.
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"SciChats" With STEM College Students and Professionals The videoconference format provides the student with an opportunity to explore scientific concepts with the guidance of university STEM students and faculty. Furthermore, the strategy showcases real-world science and allows students to engage in science discourse, failures, argument, debate and crafting questions. This concept is similar to what undergraduate and graduate STEM students experience while pursuing a higher degree. |
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| Mentorship by High School Summer Research Program Participants To Younger Students Participants in our summer program return to their community and school district to assist teachers with videoconferencing at their home sites. These rural high school students serve as mentors to their younger counterparts in elementary and middle school. |
FACTOID | Did you know?
Critical thinking skills are essential for success in a STEM career. Using Skype and PolyCom technology, Vanderbilt undergraduates and faculty lead science labs every week to help cultivate these skills in Aspirnaut participants in both rural Maine and Arkansas. Recent labs include building rockets to understand Newton's three laws of physics (pictured above) and creating electrical circuits to run a motor, light a bulb and measure a material's conductivity. An astronomy theme helped students learn about the moon's phases, solar fusion and how to build a working telescope.
Testing Acids and Bases in Poyen, AR
Vanderbilt Professor Dr. Billy Hudson Skypes with Students in Maine