Woodhull Connects to Science via Video Conference
The wonders of technology were put to good use at Woodhull Intermediate School as sixth graders participated in three-days of video conferencing with the New York Hall of Science while sitting in the school's library.
The youngsters "met" with Anthony Negron, a digital learning curriculum developer, who presented lessons on nanoscience. "The focus was on the microscopic world of nanotechnology and how it is being used in creating new inventions for everyday life," explained Christine Amodeo, Woodhull's library media specialist who hosted the event. "This was a new topic in video conferencing for the New York Hall of Science."
Mr. Negron has participated in over 20 video conferencing sessions with Woodhull students through the library's link and equipment. "Due to the history we had of working together, I was asked if I would like to participate in several sessions for free," Ms. Amodeo said. "In exchange for the students giving feedback on their experience, we were able to have three classes participate in free sessions."
Parents were asked for their consent before students were permitted to participate. "The consent was needed because as a pilot program students had to complete a post-video-conference survey of their experience," Ms. Amodeo said. "Student responses will be used to modify the program content as needed."
It took time for students to fully understand the concepts involved in nanoscience and just how small the nano-world really is. When they utilized a nanometer scale to measure their respective hands and came up with numbers in the range of 90 million nanometers, it helped put the nano-world into better perspective.
"Students also created what was called 'oobleck' as a way of demonstrating how the particles bind together when creating objects using nanoscience," Ms. Amodeo said. The three classes were selected to participate strictly based on their scheduled library time and how it lined up against the New York Hall of Science's availability to present the program. Some members of a fourth class of sixth graders were also able to participate during the three sessions.
"This was a win-win for both parties involved," Ms. Amodeo said. "The New York Hall of Science had the chance to pilot the program for three classes and the Woodhull students had the chance to engage in video conferences on the incredible world of nanotechnology."