Idaho Examiner: Highland High Mentors Tendoy 5th Graders"Common Sense News"

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Education

Highland High Mentors Tendoy 5th Graders

Posted on: March 22, 2007

By Robert Guymon
March 22, 2007

Highland High School sophomore biology class is mentoring Tendoy fifth graders through the Science Buddies Project. The project enhances science literacy and is supported by a National Science Foundation grant administered by Idaho State University. The GK-12 Project brings undergraduate and graduate students together with teachers of grades 5 – 12 for 10 hours a week for an entire school year. Teachers and college students receive stipends for the extra work they do to bring more science literacy to the public schools.

Tendoy 5th grade teacher Vicky Reeder, Teri Mitton Highland High School 10th grade biology teacher, and Brandon Briggs ISU biology graduate student have teamed up to promote excitement in new science students. The 5th and 10th graders work together and help each other learn. The older and younger students have a great relationship.

On Marsh 21, 2007 the Tendoy students went to Highland to learn about water quality testing. There are approximately 55 students and they broke into groups of both grades. They started off drawing a picture of a stream including aquatic life, plants, and animals. Each group was given water samples to test. The type of testing they did was microscope, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nitrates, and algae. The class showed an eagerness to learn. While the students were testing the samples Mrs. Reeder, Mrs. Mitton and Mr. Briggs were going around the room to assist the kids and answer any questions.

On May 16 the students will go on a field trip to Cherry Springs to collect and sample water. This will give the budding scientist a practical scientific experience. Another area they will study this semester is animal habitat.

This is the third year for the program and is being funded for three more years. Mrs. Mitton says Mr. Briggs “brings expertise into the classroom,” he has more current research experience. This program gives college students experience in “public communication to bridge the gap between the scientist and nonscientist” says Mr. Briggs.