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Wilkes Science in Motion COVID-19 Safety Procedures
Taking hands-on laboratory experiences to middle and high schools throughout northeastern Pennsylvania
Science in Motion provides middle and high school students with access to advanced
science experiments, equipment, and instruction for enhanced STEM learning – all at
no cost to the school. Mobile educators visit schools with all supplies needed for
a variety of science experiments.
SIM also offers professional development for teachers through workshops and interaction with other secondary teachers and university faculty.
SIM in the News
STEM Day at Western Wayne School District
Recently Wilkes Science in Motion spent the day with middle school students at Western WayneJr/Sr High School as part of STEM Day 2017 organized by high school Chemistry teacher, Trina Collins. Trina is a frequent user of the SIM program for her high school classes. The purpose of the program was to generate enthusiasm for science in the middle grades by providing them with hands-on exposure to instruments and principles used by older students and professional scientists. This was the first STEM Day at Western Wayne Jr/Sr High. Based on its success this year, students and teachers are already looking forward to next year's STEM day!
Western Wayne School District Newsletter
- Light and the Spectral “Fingerprints” of Elements - presented by SIM Director Sarah Stapleton using Atomic Emission Sources provided by the Wilkes University Science in Motion program.
- Atomic Modeling and “Mapping of the Atom" - presented by Mrs. Collins and her students using conceptual objects, maps, measurements, and calculations to model the size and structure of the atom.
- Evolution and the Rock Pocket Mouse - presented by Mrs. Collins using scientific evidence to graph and demonstrate natural selection and evolution.
Background
Founded in 1987 at Juniata College, 10 colleges and universities currently serve over 200 school districts in Pennsylvania. Wilkes University joined the consortium in 2002 to serve northeastern Pennsylvania. This statewide resource-sharing program is funded by the Pennsylvania legislature and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Host Institutions
- Bloomsburg University
- Clarion University
- Drexel University
- Elizabethtown College
- Gettysburg College
- Juniata College
- Lehigh Carbon Community
- College
- Ursinus College
- Westminster College
- Wilkes University
Counties Served
- Berks
- Bradford
- Carbon
- Lackawanna
- Luzerne
- Monroe
- Northampton
- Pike
- Schuylkill
- Susquehanna
- Wayne
- Wyoming
Schools Wilkes Serves
Wilkes University Science in Motion serves middle and high schools of school districts within a 60 mile radius of the Wilkes campus. During the 2019-2020 school year, 23 regional school districts used the Wilkes SIM resource.
If Wilkes is not able to assist with your science needs, another center within the PA consortium may be able to do so. Locations and links to other institutions that support Science in Motion centers can be found at the Science in Motion website.
How SIM Works
Secondary teachers contact the Wilkes SIM mobile educator to schedule a visit. Our mobile educator will bring prepared laboratory kits and equipment right to the school, providing access to equipment not typically available in secondary schools. Mobile educators train teachers on the use of labs and equipment and, if requested, they can team-teach or lead classes through the activity.
Why Use SIM?
With the need for STEM-based education increasing rapidly, Science in Motion provides students with hands-on experience without straining budgets. SIM helps students advance their educations and compete for positions in a workforce where knowledge and use of current technology is imperative.
Your students will become detectives as they use forensic evidence to solve a mystery. They’ll take science poolside as they analyze the SPF of sunscreen. These are just two of the ways Science in Motion brings real-world chemistry applications into your classroom. Check out the full list of available chemistry labs to see what else students can do.
From analyzing strawberry DNA to monitoring the effects of exercise on blood pressure, check out our full list of available biology labs.
Using the Vernier software, student will learn topics such as air resistance, impulse and momentum, and Newtons law.
Labs in biology, chemistry, and physics tailored for middle school students.
Science in Motion labs often use equipment not typically found in middle and high school science departments. We can bring the equipment to you at no cost to your district.
