Lil' Scientists
The Lil’ Scientists program offers a unique service-learning opportunity for eighth grade science students at Lake Riviera Middle School. With the help of eighth grade and kindergarten teachers, a team of 16 eighth grade students plan and organize four visits yearly to the Primary Learning Center (PLC) of Brick where they develop positive relationships with approximately 40 kindergarteners. All lessons and activities are researched or created by the students themselves. The goals of Lil’ Scientists include: enhancing academic achievement and preparing students for workplace readiness while preparing age-appropriate lesson plans and activities. These goals result in the development of positive relationships that will encourage and promote scientific curiosity with our kindergarten friends. The carefully, creatively planned lessons help to expand character education program initiatives, and positively promote public safety, healthy lifestyles and social/global awareness based on the topics presented. The project coordinator and her counterpart at the PLC hold planning sessions to ensure all lessons are age appropriate and enhance educational achievement. This year the four topics were: Healthy Hand Washing, Wacky Weather, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Celebration Day! Throughout the course of a planning session, the four steps of Service-learning are carefully monitored offering proper time for reflection activities after each visit. Ultimately, Lil’ Scientists gives students an opportunity for moral action. They reflect on their experiences and practice behavioral habits that make up the moral component of character. They have learned how to work as a team for a common cause and have done so with positive success.