With the Lab unable to host our annual high school summer internship program this year, LLF advanced an idea to support and inspire STEM students sheltering at home. In May, LLF, LLNL and the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD) launched Ask a Scientist – a collaborative program providing live, virtual presentations for local students interested in science and engineering. This initial four-part series connected over 120 middle and high school students with LLNL scientists who explained their work and demonstrated experiments in physics, space and planetary defense, environmental science and physical science.
“LLNL produced a great series of short videos from Lab scientists and engineers demonstrating various science concepts,” said Sally Allen, LLF Executive Director. “We felt there was an opportunity to showcase these videos and partner with the school district to supplement the online learning now occurring due to COVID-19.”
LLF shared the four videos with LVJUSD administrators and science teachers, identifying key learning objectives, terminology and the relevant Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Students were encouraged to watch the videos at home and send questions to the Foundation. They could then attend four interactive one-hour follow up Zoom meetings with the Lab video presenter and expert on each of the topics to hear more and get their questions answered.
“Given our current circumstances requiring distance learning, we wanted to explore new programs to enhance the learning environment. This is exactly the type of innovation that helps our students stay engaged. We’re grateful to both the Foundation and the Lab for the opportunity to collaborate,” said Kelly Bowers, LVJUSD Superintendent of Schools.
“We appreciate the opportunity to directly engage with our local students, said LLNL External Relations Officer Nadine Horner. “The passion of the scientists featured in the videos is inspiring and we hope it will encourage students to consider careers in these fields.”
This program was such a resounding success that we are hoping to continue when students return to a modified education schedule in Fall 2020. If you have a suggestion for a future Ask a Scientist topic, send us an email!
“LLNL produced a great series of short videos from Lab scientists and engineers demonstrating various science concepts,” said Sally Allen, LLF Executive Director. “We felt there was an opportunity to showcase these videos and partner with the school district to supplement the online learning now occurring due to COVID-19.”
LLF shared the four videos with LVJUSD administrators and science teachers, identifying key learning objectives, terminology and the relevant Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Students were encouraged to watch the videos at home and send questions to the Foundation. They could then attend four interactive one-hour follow up Zoom meetings with the Lab video presenter and expert on each of the topics to hear more and get their questions answered.
“Given our current circumstances requiring distance learning, we wanted to explore new programs to enhance the learning environment. This is exactly the type of innovation that helps our students stay engaged. We’re grateful to both the Foundation and the Lab for the opportunity to collaborate,” said Kelly Bowers, LVJUSD Superintendent of Schools.
“We appreciate the opportunity to directly engage with our local students, said LLNL External Relations Officer Nadine Horner. “The passion of the scientists featured in the videos is inspiring and we hope it will encourage students to consider careers in these fields.”
This program was such a resounding success that we are hoping to continue when students return to a modified education schedule in Fall 2020. If you have a suggestion for a future Ask a Scientist topic, send us an email!