Scientists for Tomorrow
Science Institute in the Department of Science and Mathematics
Columbia College Chicago

 Summary of Winter Session: Family Science Day
Event Host: Field Museum
Date: March 15, 2014

 On Saturday, March 15, 2014 over 550 members from 36 community-based organizations participating in the National Science Foundation (NSF), Informal Science Education (ISE) NSF-ISE Scientists for Tomorrow (SfT) program attended third annual Family Science Day at the Field Museum. The faculty and staff of the Science Institute, in the Department of Science and Mathematics in collaboration with the education department of the Field Museum, organized the event.

At the Field Museum, the event took place directly at the exhibits and classrooms.  The workshops aligned with the concepts that the participants learned in the module “Physics of Sound and Mathematics of Music.” The lessons are taught in most community sites under the supervision of Scientists for Tomorrow staff.  

Andy Hershberger, the liaison for the education department of the museum, facilitated the event. Attendees participated in planned activities, which involved three music-oriented workshops: Investigation of Musical instruments, Constructing Pan Flutes and Building Thumb Pianos. They also attended three museum exhibit explorations: Africa, Ancient Egypt and Revolving Planets.

Participants at the event included parents, children, program instructors and community leaders from 36 partnering Chicago community organization sites. Columbia College Chicago students and staff members contributed and documented the event.

The Family Science Day event at the Field Museum was designed to expand the conceptual foundation revolving the learning module of Physics of Sound and Mathematics of Music, most importantly to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) interest in all children.

We expect that the youth will share the knowledge gained within the dynamic museum environment, with the rest of the communities who have not had the chance to experience this opportunity.  Furthermore, to become more involved in future STEM activities in their centers.

The high attendance and participation of our community members made the event a success. The team leaders showed great dedication, and the children above all, expressed great interest and enjoyed the event. Children loved the fact that they were able to construct their own take home instruments when consulting and listening from museum experts.

The Field Museum staff led the workshops with great success. Site leaders along with parents, successfully managed participants around the exhibitions. In addition, the participation of our 24 teens from the Upper Bound Math and Science from Northeastern did an amazing job! These young leaders showed great enthusiasm and responsibility throughout the event. Not only were they able to keep their groups organized, but also assisted other team leaders with directions towards designated exhibitions.

Special guests included a dance performance by The Back of the Yards Ballet Folklorico. The performance called, “Concheros, ” is a compilation of Aztec dances that represented their customs in Agriculture (La danza del maiz), Sun Gods (La danza del Sol) and War (La danza de Guerra).  The ballet instructor, Emilio Corona, presented and talked about the instruments, as he made music using a sea shell, “Caracol” and a wooden “Teponaztli” slit drum. 

The following community organizations who participated in the event were:  Chicago Teachers, Enlace Chicago, United Neighborhood Organization, Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Chicago Teachers Center, Brighton Park Neighborhood, Center for Community Arts Partnership, Family Focus Inc., YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, GEMS, Three Rivers and Metropolitan Family Services.  

Scientists for Tomorrow Family Science Event 2014.PDF