This week has a two part cause.
You may remember our first weekend here Penn State had something called Fresh Start where all freshmen could volunteer during their first Saturday here. I decided it would be a good way to learn more about my community so I signed up.
At the event, we were put with a random group of other Freshmen and then sent to one of the many possible locations they had set up. My group ended up at the Discovery Space Children's Science Museum on Foster Avenue downtown.
This museum is a hidden gem. From the outside, the museum appears like any other apartment building or office space.
However, when you walk inside it's like a science Disney World for kids. For those of you from outside of Philly, it is just like a mini Franklin Institute. For those of you not from the Philly area, it is basically a "please-touch" museum where kids are able to learn basic science techniques and topics through hands on experiences.
The Discovery Space Museum aims to teach and spark science interest in children in the State College area. This includes daily admittance, special programs, and camps at the museum.
What I Did:
When I first got to Discovery Space Museum the museum was closed. The people there told us about the purpose of the museum and then let us explore a bit. To say the least, my entire group's inner kid came out. We all explored the entirety of the museum and played with all of the displays, actually curious about the science behind some of them. One of the rooms was focused on electricity and had a giant Lite-Bright in it. We decided to show our Penn State Pride with it.
After exploring for a bit, we helped move things outside for the event the museum was holding in a local park. As an end of the summer event, the museum was hosting a STEM- science, technology, engineering, and math- day. Different vendors, such as 3D printer companies, came to the event to promote their companies but it was mostly local STEM related companies showing kids what their companies do.
I helped people set up, direct kids to stations, and just help out wherever I was needed. One man I helped was creating community ice molds for the ice festival held here over our winter break. It was really interesting to watch the vacuum process to make the ice molds and see the kids and adults amazed by it.
The event was also a place where kids who participated in the museum's camp could race the electric cars they made throughout the summer. I helped the kids fix their cars with hot glue, helped make the race track, and supervised a few races.
The park the STEM event took place in
During this event, I learned how important it is to inspire little kids. The kids at the event were so interested in their cars and everything else going on. Had they not been introduced to the world of science they may have spent the summer inside. Who knows, one of these kids could be one of the most important scientists of the future. Without learning new things while young there is no way to learn what you are passionate about and want to learn more about.
I also learned about the importance of community. We live in the center of a great community here that we don't really realize being so absorbed in our school work and lives on campus. Seeing the young kids reminded me that we are role models to them, as well as to the slightly older kids, and we should show them it is important to be involved in the community.
Everyone I met at the event was very community focused. People from across the community showed up and were happy to see their neighbors there as well. The man I helped with the ice molds really made this point clear to me. The idea of the molds were to make one and then pass the mold to a neighbor until everyone in the community had an ice sculpture for the festival. He really encouraged everyone who got a mold to pass it on. He showed me how much he loves his community based on the way he talked to everyone who came up to his stand and the way he took the time to make sure the kids understood how the process worked.
After seeing this event and meeting people like this man I want to get involved in the State College community. We have a community that supports the university and we should support it right back.
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