Testing the future of science class: Program allows local students to conduct experiments with science experts

Instructors from the program take over a classroom for an entire day on alternating weeks at local schools such at Bayside STEM Academy in San Mateo as well as McKinley Institute of Technology and Clifford Elementary School in Redwood City, and a local teacher lauded the creative trainings offered.

“I really like what they bring,” said Paul Luperini, who teaches science to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at Bayside STEM Academy.

Science From Scientists instructors come to schools equipped with full kits used to share hands-on learning opportunities with students who may not otherwise be granted exposure to receiving lessons from experts.

Luperini said students appreciate learning from someone other than their regular teacher, but also benefit from recognizing scientists often look different than the stereotypical vision of an old, spectacled man wrapped tightly in a white lab coat.

Erika Angle, a San Mateo native and Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate, founded Science From Scientists due in part to her desire for breaking down the preconceived notion that complex scientific theory must be taught in a boring and dry fashion.

The company focuses on hiring charismatic instructors who have at least earned credits toward an advanced science degree to interact with students, in an attempt to bring the experiments alive.

“We want to bring real, fun science into the classroom,” said Angle.

Careful to not step on the feet of those who host instructors, Angle said the program allows the teachers to pick from over 80 available lessons and experiments they believe are best suited to blend with their general curriculum.

Luperini said he appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with the instructors when they visit his classroom, and those sent by Science From Scientists depend on the teachers’ presence to maintain order and supplement the lessons.

After hosting the program for a few year, Luperini said he has had to institute minor tweaks such as working to contextualize the experiments and helping instructors with time management.

But in all, he said he believes the program has been a great service to his students.

“I would like to see it expanded,” he said.

Angle’s efforts are working toward beefing up the program, as it is in place in Massachusetts and Minnesota and Science From Scientists is seeking to enhance the presence in California. In all, roughly 800 local students are served in six schools spanning from San Francisco to San Mateo County.

Since much of the funding available to the program is offered by corporate, private or family donors, Angle said, the company seeks to establish itself in areas with a large presence of science and technology companies.

Funding from the state and local school districts is also available, said Angle, but much of the money is drummed up from donors. The company’s burgeoning budget is $370,000 in California, and $1.7 million nationally, she said.

As is the case with establishing and growing most innovative ideas, Angle said Science From Scientists still faces hurdles, such as attracting and retaining qualified instructors to operate the experiments.

Most of the classroom staff are part-time workers, said Angle, and though the company is focusing more on hiring permanent instructors, the talent pool to draw from is often relatively limited.

Most full-time scientists do not have the schedule flexibility available to take days away from their jobs to work as instructors and most drawn to education are already teachers, so finding qualified and charismatic workers can be a challenge, said Angle.

“Few people are suited to work with kids if they have been micro-pipetting all day,” said Angle.

To Isabella Acosta, 12, the instructors who visited her school are just fine.

The seventh-grader in Luperini’s class said she greatly appreciated the lessons offered when Science From Scientists takes over her class for a day.

“It’s a really fun program,” she said. “It really helps us understand the concepts better.”

Acosta’s classmate Diego Espinoza agreed.

“They explain stuff in a way more fun way,” he said.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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