University Students Create Fun and Educational Science Videos for Kids
University of Scranton Magis Honors Program students have worked to create a series of fun and educational science videos for kids. This series of videos covers interesting topics from why the sky is blue and why leaves change colors, to offering a virtual introduction to some of the animals living in the University’s Loyola Science Center. The video collection can be viewed here.
Guided by program director and biology faculty chairperson Dr. Janice Voltzow, Magis Honors students created these videos to keep connected with K-12 students and to and to offer insights into the field of STEM. The Magis Honors Program in STEM is designed to provide undergraduate students with a more intense, interdisciplinary experience of research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In addition to focusing on the intellectual and technical skills needed to carry out and communicate original research, this program also aims to lay the foundations for Magis students to become socially responsible scientists and to engage with K-12 students in the Scranton community.
“With the challenges of the pandemic and remote learning, we sought new ways to reach out to local schools with interesting and fun exercises in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Our Magis students put their collective, talented heads together and developed these videos. I continue to be so impressed with their dedication and creativity!” said Dr. Voltzow.
The Magis Science videos are the newest edition to a collection of K-12 virtual resources that The University of Scranton’s Office of Community Relations is working to compile and share as a resource for students during the pandemic. This effort builds up The University of Scranton’s aim to continue serving as a community resource during this time of physical distancing.
Additional virtual resources include exercise and wellness videos for kids created by students in Dr. Jennifer Swartz’s Physical Therapy course, Integrated Art Lesson Videos created by Education students in Dr. Catherine Cullen’s Math for Grades 2 – 4 course, and a virtual Scranton Story Time project from students volunteering with the Center for Service and Social JusticeThese virtual K-12 resources are available on The University of Scranton’s Office of Community Relations website. Parents and guardians can access the videos by visiting scranton.edu/virtualkidsactivities. The resources will be available for the duration of remote instruction due to the pandemic.
If you are an educator interested in utilizing these videos and would like to consider the possibility of University students offering a virtual live presentation, please contact Carolyn M. Bonacci, community and civic engagement coordinator, at carolyn.bonacci@scranton.edu.
For more information about the Magis Honor Program visit here or contact Dr. Janice Voltzow at janice.voltzow@scranton.edu. For more information about the Office of Community-Based Learning please visit here or email community@scranton.edu.
