February 2013: SoundWaters engages imagination of young scientists
Separating ink colors through chromatography experiments, testing water samples from Holly Pond, dissecting squid and learning alongside adult scientists captured the imaginations of nearly 80 girls during their winter break at SoundWaters annual Science Stars program, created specifically for girls interested in science.
These 3rd to 7th grade students, all from Stamford, exchanged a week of vacation to discover, explore and conduct scientific hands-on experiments and learn about career opportunities from five women scientists. Equally important, according to parent surveys, the girls increased their confidence both socially and as budding scientists. “The hands-on science was definitely more interesting to her than just reading about it,” said one mother. “She couldn’t stop talking about each day’s activities.”
The girls worked inside the SoundWaters lab and aquarium and outside in the many habitats of Long Island Sound, independently and as part of a team. A comprehensive 32-page journal-workbook designed by SoundWaters educators reinforced what the girls were learning.
These personalized lab books were filled with inquiry-based questions, illustrations, charts, graphs and blank pages where the girls wrote their observations about photosynthesis and horseshoe crab blood experiments, comparisons of anatomy and adaptations of Long Island Sound animals and presentations and hands-on activities with the scientists.
This year’s scientist mentors were Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Engineer Lynda Fredette; EHS Analyst Christina Tolides; and EHS Water Compliance & Contractor Programs Lead Brandy Love, all from Sikorsky Aircraft; Biologist Penny Howell, from the CT DEEP Marine Fisheries Division; Assistant Research Professor of Marine Sciences Dr. Jamie Vaudrey from UConn; and Pediatric RN Eva Sanchez, from Westchester Medical Center. The program, which ran from 9 am to 4 pm each day, was free for the girls and funded in part by Purdue Pharma, the Xerox Foundation and an FCCF donor advised fund.
On the final day, the girls solved the mystery of the “kidnapped terrapin,” an activity demonstrating their connection with the animals and habitats of Long Island Sound – a major step in becoming lifelong environmental stewards.
Using forensic science techniques to investigate “clues” left at the salt marsh tank “crime scene,” they examined hair samples under microscopes, compared characteristics of fingerprints with those left on the tank wall, measured the stride of muddy footprints to extrapolate the height of the perp, and analyzed blood samples left on a rag, handwriting from a note and chromatography colors from the pen used to write the note.
By day’s end they had identified the correct suspect, aka a SoundWaters educator (who had carefully placed the terrapin in another tank). And they discovered something about themselves: They cared about the terrapin, and Long Island Sound.
Throughout the week, the girls learned through doing, and through sharing with their adult mentors. Led by SoundWaters educators and interns, the nearly 80 girls conducted research, collaborated, and came to conclusions. They are, truly, Science Stars!
