U of A makes math and science fun

On Nov. 28 the University of Arizona South Math and Science Teacher Education program invited two fifth grade classes from Stevenson Elementary to participate in their Math and Science Exploratorium at the Cochise College Douglas Campus.

They provided the students with various hands on activities designed to make learning math and science fun and exciting.

The elementary per-service teachers presented activities in math and science concepts interacting in activities with probability, air pressure and geometric shapes. They also provided support to the students while they rotated through the many activities.

Ashley Reyes and Lorenia Montano explained how they made ice cream in a plastic bag. We added sugar, milk, and vanilla to a small bag, they said.

“Then we put ice in a big bag with salt, and put the smaller bag of ingredients in it,” said Reyes. “We tossed the big bag back and forth to each other for 10 minutes, it was cold.”

Stacy Tebo, U of A Field Studies Coordinator, helped explain to the girls that ice has to absorb energy in order to melt, changing the phase of water from a solid to a liquid.

This event is normally held every semester with this being the first time it is held at the Douglas Campus.

The U of A student-teachers provided a hands-on experience to the student when otherwise they would not be able to have due to time restrictions in classrooms.

The Exploratorium helps the student-teachers learn how to present their concepts to the students and learn the learning system of the students. The students learn that math and science can be fun.

“The U of A student-teach engages in hands-on experiences. We wanted to provide a fun and engaging experience for the Stevenson students,” UA South, Science Methods Instructor Ada Parra said.

A pizza lunch, donated by Little Caesars, was provided to the students.