Over the last few years, the interest and test scores of American students in matters of science and mathematics have been on the decline. Scientific exploration and innovation in the U.S. are slipping away because the younger students aren’t gravitating toward those disciplines with the ferocity and tenacity of previous generations.
What does it take to grab the attention and interest of youngsters who may not take to the complexities of scientific study and invention?
Let’s start with empty soda bottles. Two liter bottles to be exact.
On Wednesday, the Marion Natural History Museum, as part of its on-going after school education program, offered a lesson in rocket propulsion, hosted by former UMass Dartmouth professor and local legend, Dr. W. Toby Dills. The program attracted over 30 kids, from kindergarten age to third grade, who were buzzing with excitement over the prospect of constructing their very own rockets and launching them into the sky on the lawn in front of Sippican School.
Dr. Dills, who taught at UMass for almost 30 years, has been working with local after-school programs since 1990. His long history with science dates back to the influence of his father, a chemist, who worked for DuPont during World War II after receiving his PhD.
“He was always helping us with science lessons,” he said.
When Dr. Dills attended University of Vermont in pursuit of his own PhD, he worked closely with his father’s graduate school roommate, Dr. Don Gregg, who also happened to be Dills’ godfather.
“He did outreach programs like this one and that’s how I started getting interested working with local teachers and their students,” Dills said.
Dr. Dills seems to be just as comfortable teaching five year olds the basics of aerodynamics and air pressure as he is challenging college students with the intricate nature of these subjects. The children listen intently as Dills shares with these small students the same brand of childlike fascination for this stuff and deliver his teaching in a classic fireside storytelling manner.
Charlie Richards, an eight-year-old from Onset, didn’t know much about rockets before he came to the class with his mom, Teri, and his little brother, Henry.
“It was pretty interesting. My favorite part was learning that the front has to be heavy because the weight wants to go high,” Richards said.
He said he plans on building boats when he grows up.
“This was our first time here and I think it was really worth it for them,” Teri said.
Alex Craig, who is nine, came with his mother, Julie, who is an engineer.
“I think it’s fantastic. I love to see hands-on science projects for the kids. Next time they see NASA on TV, they will know a little bit of how it works,” she said.
Alex said he has always loved science and he and his family actually build rockets at home for fun.
“We have one that went up 1,100 feet!” he said. “When I grow up, I want to be an engineer and build robots.”
He is so adamant about this future; he and his family are traveling to Atlanta next week to visit Georgia Tech, of which his mother is a graduate.
Dr. Dills does programs like this because of kids like Charlie and Alex. It doesn’t matter to him whether or not they come into the class with prior knowledge or interest. He teaches because he also has the futures of young students in mind, and hopes some of them take advantage of the vast world of science.
“I hope some won’t be as scared of science when they get to high school and college. Maybe some of them will even be science majors later on,” he said.
By Eric Tripoli