Your Memories
"My fondest and most touching memory was when a student, who had been identified to me as autistic, came up to me after I completed the presentation and hugged me and told me that he hoped I could come back every year to teach science. I left that day with a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes, and the certain knowledge that what we do (as Scientists in School) is inspiring to students and teachers."
- Carol Moscoe, Presenter, Toronto
"I was a presenter for four years and loved the program, connecting with teachers, parents and especially the children. I always yearned to have my own class where I got to really know the kids and am happy to say I am teaching High School science to BIG kids, who also have fond memories of SiS. A wonderful program that inspires and connects and gives kids dreams! Thanks SiS for helping me accomplish mine!"
- Martha Schissler, Stouffville District Secondary School, York Region
"I really liked it when you made the dry ice and when you let us do the experiment with the flashlights. I wonder if someday I'll do something important like join N.A.S.A. or be the first person on Mars. A kid can dream."
"I had the privilege of being a Scientists in School Presenter for two years after I retired from the teaching profession. I never did one presentation, with the grade 7 students, that wasn't a learning experience for me as well. Teaching science is the best subject an educator can take on as making the world real to students captures their interest and sparks their enthusiasm to learn. Congratulations Scientists in School on your milestone achievement."
- Cliff Moon, UOIT Faculty of Education, Oshawa, Ontario
"We learned many new things about science and that you never make a mistake, you just make a discovery. I think it is very interesting."
"I have not only done workshops with about 18, 000 children over the past ten years, but I have also been out in the community with Scientists in School. I have worked with children at SiS's Science Rendezvous event 'Malls of Science', the Canadian Air and Space Museum at Downsview, the Pickering Nuclear Plant's 'March Break Madness' event and at the Oshawa Airport. During the past two years, I have done science workshops at STAOs Annual Conference in November for educators. I am having as much fun now as I did when I first started. It was truly a wonderful day for me when Cindy Adams hired me as we drank coffee at her dining room table. Thank you one and all for enriching my life and allowing me to explore my own potential."
- Stan Taylor, Presenter, Leaskdale, Ontario
"I know now, because of you, that nothing is impossible. I think that science is way more interesting than I would ever have thought."
"I believe that Scientists in School is a very valuable program that should be present in every school. My two daughters have had the privilege of having the program 2 to 3 times a year since they were in grade one. As a mom, I have had the pleasure to volunteer during the program as well. Scientists in School enriches and adds value to what the classroom teacher is teaching. The instructors come with many different resources and a variety of teaching skills. Students really learn from these classes while enjoying all of the educational activities and lessons. Scientists in School provides hands-on workshops in which students have the chance to explore, solve, learn and have fun. I really enjoy the program and I believe that all students would benefit from learning through Scientists in School."
- Carolina, Parent, Thornhill, Ontario
5 Million Memories
Join the Celebration - 5 Million Student Scientists and Counting
This year Scientists in School will celebrate our 5 millionth student scientist participant since the charity's founding in 1989. (Imagine how many wows, cools, and awesomes that is!)
Help us celebrate by sharing your memories and stories of Scientists in School.
Were you one in 5 million? Were you a scientist in your school?
Or maybe you hosted a workshop as a teacher, or participated as a parent volunteer, or as a presenter.
Share your memories of Scientists in School using the form below. We will post your memories here and on our social media sites - Facebook, Google+, and Twitter - and share with our friends and supporters.
Thank you for being a part of Scientists in School and for helping us to celebrate this important milestone!
A Parent's First Impression
"I recently volunteered in my son's Grade 2 class for a SiS presentation on matter. As a molecular biologist, I'm fussy about how science is taught. I was thrilled with the material presented, the experimental approach and the intellectual content of the workshop.
I loved that kids were taught how to correctly record data, repeat experiments, share their results and make predictions and test them. And how to be excited about their results, whether their predictions were right or wrong because - and I struggle to teach this to graduate students - scientists aren't 'sad' when they are wrong - they are surprised. They are happy because they have learned something!
The kids were absolutely enthralled and loved it. They are so intrinsically curious about how things work that getting them into chemistry and science in primary school promotes what's really great about science - it's fun!"
- Dr. Brigitte Lavoie, Associate Professor, Dept. of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
YOUR MEMORIES
"I thought those of you at Scientists in School should know that my 5-year-old, came home from school yesterday and told me not to buy her any more Barbies for Christmas. I said, 'sure, but why?' (My daughter is a Barbie fanatic.) She said that she was learning 'science' in her classroom that day, recounted many of the observations and discussions that were had in her kindergarten class, and that she is going to be a scientist when she grows up. In order for her to perfect her skills early on, she said, she only wants science kits for birthday presents and Christmas from now on, and that no more Barbies are necessary. As I'm writing this to you, my daughter just ran to greet her father at the door, hugged him, and told him how excited she was that she is going to be a scientist. I thought you should know the impact you've had on my daughter. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Although from now on, I'm sure my husband will miss having decapitated Barbies and tiny stilettos underfoot!"
- Jacqueline Hennessy, Toronto parent
"I had the opportunity recently to volunteer for Scientists in School at Carruther's Creek Public School for my daughter's JK class. What an awesome program. I spent the entire afternoon in the classroom and had the pleasure of seeing 4-5 year olds not realizing that they are learning, they were engaged and having so much fun. The way this program captures their interest and teaches can't be accomplished in the regular curriculum."
- Sharon Kovacic, Ajax
"I remember when a scientist came to our class and we had to figure out animals from their skulls. I was freaked out at first and didn't want to touch them. But my curiosity got the better of me and it was so cool."
- Jaime Morgan, former student at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Toronto
"Scientists in School inspired me. In Grade 4, I learned about magnetism in a Scientists in School workshop and I became fascinated with magnets and force. That made me want to study physics in high school. Now I'm studying engineering - all thanks to playing with magnets when I was 9."
- Michael Bourque, Pickering
"When I was in Grade 2, a Scientists in School scientist came to my class with all these amazing furs, feathers and snake skins. I don't remember everything, but I do remember how cool it was touch the specimens. In particular the fact that snakes shed their skin in one whole piece made quite an impression on me. Years later I still remember that scientist and those skins and I know it's one of the reasons I decided to go into biology"
- Katie, Hon. BSc Biology, University of Guelph