Jose Makes Science a Blast by Building Balloon Rocket Cars and Bugs!
July 2012
Jose has a lot of hopes for the children in the classrooms he visits. “I hope that kids see that scientists come in all shapes and colors. I hope that they start asking more questions and wondering how things work, and why certain things in nature are the way they are.”
Jose Castillo is a quality control analyst at the Bayer Corporation and has been a BASIS volunteer for two years. CRS and Bayer have forged a partnership to get professional scientists into local schools to share their knowledge with both kids and teachers. As a member of CRS’s Advisory Council, Jose works to explore how Bay Area organizations can work together to improve science education.
For Jose, whose uncle was a self-taught chemist, science runs in the family. He recalls, “I always admired him and I tried to imitate him by mixing my own potions with household products and my mom’s cosmetics. I liked seeing the different reactions and colors.”
Jose has five children of his own and places a lot of importance in nourishing a child’s natural sense of wonder, curiosity and imagination.
Getting up to teach in front of an elementary school classroom presented a challenge for Jose and this has made his experience with BASIS one of personal growth. As a volunteer, he has been able to develop and enhance his leadership skills while giving back to his community.
Jose has a lot of hopes for the children in the classrooms he visits. “I hope that kids see that scientists come in all shapes and colors. I hope that they start asking more questions and wondering how things work, and why certain things in nature are the way they are.”
Jose has hopes for teachers too, “I hope teachers feel appreciated, and that people in the community are there to help them and give them resources if they need them.”
Jose has taught two engaging presentations through BASIS: Balloon Rocket Cars for 2nd graders and Buld-a-Bug for Kindergarteners. Balloon Rocket Cars is an exciting activity that demonstrates Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion by constructing fast paced balloon propelled rocket cars. When teaching this activity, Jose was amused by the fact that the girls built their cars more quickly than the boys simply because they had paid more attention to the instructor.
Jose will continue to be involved with CRS both through volunteering and serving on the Advisory Council.