Parents and students were urged to explore the science of the world around them at Ricardo Richards Elementary School’s annual Family Math and Science Night Thursday.
Students from kindergarten through sixth grade and their parents gathered in the school’s library after hours to meet directly with math and science teachers and hear from guest lecturers about the importance of science education.
The first night of the event was cancelled Wednesday due to the latest in a string of bomb threats that have been made against the school since April 10.
In her opening remarks, teacher Patricia Griffith told the crowd that they had considered cancelling the event altogether.
“But that is what they would want us to do,” she said, referring to those making the threats.
Dr. William Cole, the chief of environmental education at the Department of Parks and Natural Resources, was the keynote speaker. Knowing how hard it is to keep children’s attention after school hours, he opened his speech with a bang.
“I just got out of the water scuba diving,” he said, then reached into a small tub of water he brought with him and pulled out a live lionfish by the mouth.
“Don’t do this at home,” he shouted over the buzz of commotion as the students moved around to get a better look.
Cole followed this up with a slideshow of some of the island’s most interesting creatures and critters. As he led the students on a visual tour of the island’s natural wonders, he stressed to them that science existed in everyday things as well.
“Everything that you see here, everything that you’re wearing – glasses, shoes, clothing – this is all science. If it weren’t for science, this wouldn’t be here,” he said.
Cole encouraged the students to be curious about the world around them and develop a love of experimentation.
Later in the evening, Sommer Sibilly-Brown, a paraprofessional at the school, reiterated this message to the students’ parents. The school’s annual science fair is coming up, and she gave the parents pointers on how to help their children. The most important thing, she told them, is to set a good example.
“If you meet any of the students who I work with, I think they all love science,” she said. “They love science because everybody in the room knows that Ms. Sibilly loves science.”
“When it comes to anything you want your children to take up, you need to develop a passion for it,” she continued.
She told the parents that they didn’t need to be experts and they shouldn’t be afraid of not knowing the answer to questions their children ask. Admit that you don’t know, she told them, and then set an example by showing your children that you’re willing to do the research to find out the answer.
Later Griffith explained that the evening was as much for the parents as it was for the students.
“Many times the parents themselves have a fear for math and a fear for science,” Griffith said.
She thinks it is essential for parents to be involved in their children’s education and hopes the event will encourage them to talk about math and science in the home.
“We want to build that same interest in the parents, so the parents will realize that math is very important. Science is very important,” she said. “It’s all around you.”
