Brown and the public schools
Fifth graders from Vartan Gregorian Elementary School learn to identify rocks at a display in Brown’s Geosciences Building. Credit: Richard C. Lewis/Brown University

Planets and metals and rocks – oh my!

Elementary students from Providence’s Vartan Gregorian School had close encounters with some sophisticated university laboratory equipment this week.
By Richard C. Lewis  |  October 1, 2009  |  Email to a friend

About 125 students in the third through fifth grades at Vartan Gregorian Elementary School in Providence visited Brown this week to witness science up close and personal. The students learned about rocks and minerals, how metals are tested for durability and strength, solar observing, and nanotechnology during two days of tours in the physical sciences.

Elementary students learn about materials used in a truck engine from Brian Corkum, senior technical assistant in engineering.: Elementary students learn about materials used in a truck engine from Brian Corkum, senior technical assistant in engineering. The visits were part of the National Science Foundation GK-12 program, which sends Brown graduate students to teach science in Providence-area schools. The graduate students engage Providence children in hands-on, inquiry-based activities designed to increase their understanding of and interest in science. At Brown the program is coordinated by Karen Haberstroh, assistant professor (research) of engineering.

Geological sciences graduate student Jaime Toney explains varieties of rocks.: Geological sciences graduate student Jaime Toney explains varieties of rocks.