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U of I Extension - Cook County launched its 'Science on the Go' mobile science laboratory in October, 2007. 'Science on the Go' provides interactive science, technology and math programming to youth and adults onboard a state-of-the-art roving lab. Extension Educators teach to 11-workstations getting students excited about science disciplines including forensics, food science and animal dissection in a small classroom environment.
Since its launch in October, the lab has provided programming to more than 1,750 students and has plans to participate in summer camps and fairs throughout the summer.
"Extension is reaching out to all communities to offer equal access to scientific knowledge and experiences," says Dr. James Oliver, Associate Chancellor & Assistant Dean, Urban and Metropolitan Affairs. "Science on the Go is a response to the serious shortage in our society of workers with science and math backgrounds. This initiative is an effort to close this gap by making science and math interesting and exciting for today's youth."
Programs offered include:
Animal Science:
- Microbes and you
This lesson will educate students about the diverse world of microbes - bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Students will have the opportunity to perform basic microbiological examinations using various staining methods and microscopes.
- Your Body's Vital Signs
During this lesson students will learn how important is it to monitor the body's vital signs such as temperature, pulse rate, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure.
At the end of the class, students will know which body organs are responsible for each of these signs and where such signs are taken.
- Dissection of rats
The "Dissection of rats" lesson is designed to educate students about basic mammalian body organs and structures. Emphasis will be placed on location, identification and functions of the organs.
Biology:
- Life in Space
Students will learn the characteristics necessary for life on earth and other planets. They will learn about different types of life forms, and will analyze mystery samples for signs of life.
- Genes: Your Hidden Instruction Manual
This lesson will provide a general overview to the concept of genetics. Students will learn about the structure of a gene, the genetic code, and genetic mutations. They will also learn about common patterns of inheritance and how to isolate their own DNA.
- ExCellent Adventures
This lesson will introduce animal and plant cells. Students will learn about cell structure and function, and will assemble an edible cell model.
- Fun with Color
This lesson will introduce colors and color mixing to young learners. Students will learn about principles of basic and secondary colors, and will practice color mixing.
- Bio Crimestoppers
Students will learn how principles of biology are used in solving crimes. Students will analyze fingerprints, DNA evidence and learn about blood-typing.
Food science:
- Starch Detective
Students will learn how to prepare an iodine solution to be used to test foods. Students will distinguish between foods that contain starch and those that do not.
- Acids and Bases
This course will introduce students to the difference between an acid and a base using the pH scale. Students will also be able to distinguish the characteristic tastes of bitter and sour foods and how it relates to the food being an acid or base.
- White Powder Chemistry
Since tasting an unknown white substance can have dire consequences, students will learn how to test several white powders and determine their identities, using scientific means.
- Mapping Your Tongue
Students will learn that the several bumps on their tongues are called taste buds and they help us to experience various tastes. Furthermore, they will learn that specific areas of the tongue are more or less sensitive to certain tastes.
- The Sugar Eater
Students will learn that yeast produces gas and is commonly used in everyday foods we enjoy.
Math:
- Hot Handed
Students will be introduced to a variety of functions of a graphing calculator including creating lists and graphs. Students will then learn how to use a temperature probe to measure the changes in temperature of their palm and their classmates. They will graph, display and analyze this data on the graphing calculator.
- Pattern Matching
Students will practice and review a wide variety of concepts in mathematics in order to match patterns using Versa Tiles. These activities can be correlated to specific grade levels and objectives. Activities range from number skills and operations to fractions, decimals, statistics and algebra.
- What are the chances?
Students will design and carry out experiments to solve problems in probability. Theories will be tested using models, dice, and graphing calculators.
- Paper Towers
Students are introduced to technological design by constructing a tower with simple materials. After testing and evaluation of their prototype they will use this information as they redesign their towers.
- Step By Step
Students will be introduced to a variety of functions of a graphing calculator including creating lists and graphs. Students will then learn how to use a motion detector to measure distance and create and interpret a linear model for the motion.
- Flinker
Students will create something that doesn't sink or float - it flinks! By experimenting with a variety of objects students will "flink" for 10 seconds
Physics:
- Electromagnetic Spectrum and Spectroscopy
This is a PowerPoint presentation on light and electromagnetic spectrum accompanying a hands on activity where students build their own spectroscope to take with them. Students will use their spectroscope to investigate emission, absorption, and continuous spectra. Light sources include an incandescent bulb, fluorescent tube, and elemental spectra tubes (H2, He, and Ne).
- Investigating Black Holes
This is a PowerPoint presentation discussing what creates a supernova and what happens afterwards. Students will construct a model of a star about to become a supernova, they then investigate the results of the supernova and core collapse by measuring the change in density as they slowly collapse the core of their star. The results develop the density/mass/volume relationship as students measure the steadily increasing density of their stellar core.
- Differential Heating of Land and Water
Students will use a Vernier temperature probe to measure the temperature change in commonly found land areas (sand, dirt, rock, grass) as compared to warm water when heated under a lamp.
- The Greenhouse Effect
Students will use a temperature probe to measure temperature changes solar homes constructed by the students. Students will compare temperatures in houses with no window and various colored windows. Students will also identify the greenhouse effect and differential heating due to varied colors of "glass."
For more information, please visit the Science on the Go website.
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