Science Career Discovery Day Brings YDU Families to Widener University
What will they remember most: Touching a snake? Seeing it rain in a classroom? Discovering bones, fur and feathers inside owl pellets? Making colorful shaken slime? Mastering the strategy to always win a clever math game?
It was a full morning at Widener University’s Science Center for the children and families attending the latest Youth Development United career discovery event.
"I have spent my entire life working with children so that they develop curiosity for the world around them. Hands-on science encourages children to observe, ask questions, think for themselves, and make discoveries on their own," explained Nadine McHenry, Ed.D. , Director of the Science Teaching Center for Widener University, who worked with colleagues to put together a special program for YDU.
Families rotated through stations where they actively engaged in experiments and intellectual challenges relating to chemistry, math, biology, sustainability and general science education, learning about possible career paths within each area of focus. Afterward, everyone enjoyed the college dining hall’s extensive buffet, thanks to coordination by LaShanda A. Patton, M.S., Director of Civic of Engagement for Widener.
YDU parent Snownia Collins said, “I love how the children were entertained the whole time and challenged to think critically.”
Students in the departments of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology served as the families’ hosts for the day, providing activities and conversation that helped everyone feel comfortable and have fun in this exciting new environment. They will reconnect with these new friends on another career discovery event focused on their areas of study on March 18.
LaShanta Jennings brought her daughter, and both enjoyed the day thoroughly. “I didn’t know what to expect, and was blown away. Everyone was so welcoming and the activities were so well planned. They didn’t assume we knew about the topics and left lots of room for questions. There was so much unity in the day.”
“It was an amazing outcome. My girls really enjoyed theirselves,” said Chester parent Aiesha Golson.
“Jackson and Josiah had a great time. Touching the snake was one of their highlights. The students were very engaging,” shared Juanita Miller.
Some parents and older children found themselves talking about taking college classes, envisioning an option that they may not have previously considered.
Youth Development United will continue to collaborate with experts in various fields to provide inspiring career discovery events for the children and families served. The next event will take place at Swarthmore College’s Scott Arboretum, with a focus on garden and greenhouse management. To volunteer to help host such an event, please contact jeannine@chesteruplandyouthsoccer.org
What could be hidden in the ball of play-dough? Each participant used a toothpick to make observations and create a hypothesis.
Guesses included a coin, a stone, a Lego. In reality, it was a pistachio shell, a washer, and, yes, a penny!
Children got to feel an actual piece of coal.
Gather 15 tiles. Take turns with your opponent removing either one or two at a time. There is a way to win this math game every single time you play. Can you figure out how?
If you think of math as solving puzzles and determining winning strategies for games, what’s not to love?
They may never forget meeting Dorito the python, who was only the size of a pencil when she came to live at the science center!
Polyvinyl alcohol solution and borax makes a sticky slime when you shake them up together.
A kettle heats a soda bottle previously filled and frozen, and makes it rain indoors!
Owls don’t have hands or teeth, so they kill their prey and swallow it whole. Bones, feathers and fur don’t digest, so they are left to discover and identify inside owl pellets (aka owl vomit!)
Participants learned how to accurately use a magnifying glass: You have to hold it to your eye and then bring the object close enough to see it clearly.
College students led families to and through the dining hall to pick out whatever they liked for lunch. One child exclaimed, “Can we just live here?!”
