Virtual and In-Person K-12 Student Research Programs at Science World, Vancouver BC

Abstract:

Science World is the largest science museum in BC, welcoming over 800K learners in 2019 and 2020 before we closed. One of the ways we promote authentic scientific experience is by developing scientific leadership in our community through our programming; in particular, BC Green Games (BCGG) and our Future Science Leaders (FSL) program.

BCGG is a student led celebration of positive environmental action taken by K-12 students in schools throughout British Columbia, often tied to their curricular goals. Students develop, iterate, and document projects to address environmental concerns in their own communities. Popular project themes include food systems, energy conservation, recycling, and community stewardship.

The FSL program provides after-school science enrichment designed to engage curious minds. Across three years, students participate in hands on innovative learning and skill-building activities in a wide variety of STEAM topics lead by diverse experts and professionals. Activities we use in the first year of our program include building a nature-inspired bot, and creating cloud chambers to view background radiation particles.

In advanced project based FSL programs students learn valuable laboratory techniques whilst implementing a major 10 or 35 week project that is written up as a scientific paper to be published in an online journal. Current research suggests that practical science in the classroom often misses its pedagogical goals by providing students with “recipe-like” instructions rather than using inquiry-based learning that more effectively reflects the scientific method. Students develop projects such as an eye movement controlled robotic arm for spinal cord injury patients or a machine learning algorithm used in drones to detect forest fires.

To continue our mission with Science World’s doors closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we adapted to using an online learning platform, Zoom, and are currently creating physical distancing measures for our forthcoming program year.

By submerging our students in the scientific process, we aim to provide them with a true picture of how scientists work including proposal and scientific writing, peer review and the editorial process. This gives our students head starts in their careers as they continue their journeys to become Future Science Leaders.