UFV Summer Camp-Science Rocks

My passion for wanting to teach is what led me to Science Rocks, a six week science oriented program provided by the University of the Fraser Valley for children in grades 3-7. It was here where I took the opportunity to challenge the children on learning how to balance chemical reactions (through the demonstration known as elephant toothpaste), something I told them they would begin learning in grade 10 and more in-depth in grade 11. During a weekly quiz that tested the children (in their groups) on the concepts they had learned, I asked them to attempt to balance a chemical equation that would be difficult for even a Grade 11 student. Before they began, I emphasized that due to the difficulty of the question that they work as a team and to not be discouraged if they couldn’t solve it. Many valid attempts were made, and to my surprise one group solved it. More importantly my main goal to challenge their young minds and have them work together proved successful.

Any doubts I might have had about my decision to teach were put to rest that afternoon as a great deal of amazement, pride and sense of accomplishment overcame me as soon as I had seen what they had done. A few months later I volunteered as a classroom assistant at my high school and was given the opportunity to teach a lesson on balancing chemical equations to a grade 11 chemistry class and for their quiz I had the very same question as a bonus. Only a few students could solve it. The Science Rocks group helped me think about the great value of teamwork; that is when young minds work together they can accomplish more than most give them credit for.