FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 15, 2005

Contact: Linda McCandless, (607) 254-5137, email llm3@cornell.edu

GENEVA, NY: About a dozen scientists from the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station (NYSAES) had the opportunity to inspire a group of third-grade students during a science camp held for the first time at North Street Elementary School, in Geneva, NY, in the summer of 2005.

Plant pathologist Chris Smart, from NYSAES, and Paul Tucci, from North Street School, spearheaded the program. The sessions were filled with hands-on activities designed to spark enthusiasm for science among the students. 

"It was the school principal's idea to put this science camp together," Smart said. "Paul and I worked together to identify areas of plant and food science that we thought the kids would like, and that would be age appropriate."

The program was developed around gardens that the students had planted in the spring, and focused on plants and food science that the children could see first-hand in their gardens.

The NYSAES scientists who were involved were many. Steve Reiners and Courtney Weber (horticultural sciences) covered soil nutrients, plant anatomy and genetics. Beth Gugino and Chris Smart (plant pathology) conducted experiments with soil health and plant diseases. Charlie Linn, Greg English-Loeb and Brian Nault (entomology) described insect diversity, and talked about insect pests, including beneficials. Betsy Bihn, Katherine Kittel and Melissa Mundo (food science and technology) explored hygiene and food safety, and food components (by making pudding). Claudia Coen talked about integrated pest management (IPM).

Sessions were held from 9:00-11:30 a.m. every day. Half the students' time was spent doing hands-on science exploration-either in the lab or in the gardens-and the other half was devoted to science literacy.

"It has been fun to watch my colleagues describe their work for students at the third-grade level," said Smart, who expects the science camp to continue in 2006. "They have all been really enthusiastic and seem to enjoy teaching almost as much as the kids enjoyed learning."

For more info and for photographs, see www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/summerscience

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