BASIS Goes the Distance
Nothing can take the place of the joyful interactions between enthusiastic, well-prepared scientists and engineers, and curious, goofy children, in the elementary classrooms our Bay Area Scientist in Schools (BASIS) reaches each year. But, with schools closed and our in-person visits on pause, CRS swiftly retooled the popular program to offer new video and virtual ways to build connections and ignite wonder for young students and their teachers.
Nothing can take the place of the joyful interactions between enthusiastic, well-prepared scientists and engineers, and curious, goofy children, in the elementary classrooms our Bay Area Scientist in Schools (BASIS) reaches each year. But, with schools closed and our in-person visits on pause, CRS swiftly retooled the popular program to offer new video and virtual ways to build connections and ignite wonder for young students and their teachers.
The revised distance learning presentations explore everything from pandemics to circuits to density and more with young students eager to connect. And, teachers have been delighted with the results:
“The learning that they did in your class today is hands down some of the best learning they have done this year. The parents are very happy. I feel so privileged to be able to have this partnership with BASIS,” said one West Contra Costa 3rd grade teacher.
Senior program manager Tyler Chuck has been helping teams to get creative in exploring new ways to present important concepts. Scientists have recorded their classroom demos, scaffolded learning to break down concepts into understandable chunks.
“These virtual lessons allow our scientists to shine a spotlight on ways that science and engineering are so crucial to meet the challenges of coronavirus,” says Tyler.
One popular lesson actually incorporates an activity that demonstrates the importance of handwashing while learning about germs, how viruses spread while learning about outbreaks, or the positive effects of shelter in place on climate change while learning about renewable energy.
Students are seeing scientists as important heroes in responding to the crisis, and imagining their own possible futures in vital STEM fields.
“Your scientists were truly inspirational and my students learned about a topic that is relevant to their lives. In addition to learning about COVID 19, students learned about mutations, genetics, and environmental impacts.” -3rd Grade Teacher
In addition to virtual BASIS lessons, we’ve also brought our learning to students at home in an asynchronous manner, creating a series of #ScienceAtHome videos designed for students to do hands-on science using extra supplies they can find around the house. Highlighting topics from chemical reactions to DNA extraction to chromatography, these videos give students an opportunity to watch — and even do — science at home.
Because many of the students in classrooms CRS serves speak Spanish at home, we’ve also been delighted to have scientists who have created Spanish-language video presentations so that families can engage together on science at home, or #CienciaEnCasa.
“That was so engaging and fun!” -West Contra Costa Kindergarten Teacher
