Outreach Program Allows UA Biology Students to Mentor and Learn from Area Elementary School Students

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Biology students at The University of Alabama are participating in an outreach course designed by the UA biology department to encourage local schoolchildren in science.

Together with Tuscaloosa’s Once Place, the Tuscaloosa County School System and other community partners, UA students are helping provide a quality after-school program for two elementary schools in Tuscaloosa. Along with the biology component, the elementary students are also receiving enrichment in art, music and physical education.

With the help of a grant for Tuscaloosa’s One Place from the Riverfront 21st Century Community Learning Center in September 2007, the UA biology department was able to create an outreach course that students were able to register for beginning last spring.

The upper-level biology students in the course develop a lesson plan that includes hands-on activities for the young students, many of whom are considered “at-risk.”

Dr. Kim Lackey, coordinator of the program, believes it to be a great way to spread science in the hopes it will ignite a passion for science in these young students. “This program advocates good biology, good publicity, but most importantly, good feelings,” says Lackey, optical analysis coordinator in the UA biological sciences department.

Every Monday and Friday afternoon, a group of three UA students welcomes elementary students from grades 1-5 into the science world that allows them to understand vital parts of biology. Some experiments have included edible cells that the students make and then eat, a genetics lab for older students and the science behind making ice cream. A fun environment that is academically focused gives these students an outlet to learn and satisfy their curious natures.

Lackey emphasizes the level of responsibility associated with teaching children and believes both the young students and her biology students are gaining life skills they will take with them for the rest of their lives. “These kids nearly break your ribs, they hug so hard. They really are having fun and that’s what makes it worth it,” Lackey said.

When the program was initiated for the spring 2008 semester, Matthews Elementary was selected as the first school and during the summer of 2008 the students started teaching at Crestmont Elementary. Tuscaloosa’s One Place and the biology department have had such success that a third elementary school has been approved and with the help of the newest grant to Tuscaloosa’s One Place UA students will soon be teaching at Holt Elementary.

The UA students have found that while the Crestmont and Matthews students tried their patience, knowledge and experiences at times, the rewards were tremendous.

Lackey said she is very proud of the accomplishments all of the students have made and hopes to see the program extend into more schools to reach more children.

“Exposing UA students to the rewards of working with children and how to combine that with a love of science could encourage some of these students to pursue careers as science educators, a field in high demand. This is a win-win situation for both K-12 and higher education students,” Lackey said.