NSU Horizons Spring 2016

7 NSU HORIZONS NSU students get ready to show the wonders of science to children attending Nova Blanche Elementary School. Front row, from left, Nicole Coelho, Erica Immerblum, Sheena Patel, Chitra Gotluru, Stephanie de la Guarda, Zara Khan, Sophia Nguyen, Cynthia Lavin (in chair), Emily Schmitt Lavin, Krunal Patel, Ahjay Bhatia, Kristi Njaravelil, Richard Merus, Ritchie Merus, and Amanda Ramnot. In the back row, from left, are Chelsey Thachettu, Irfan Khan, Guy Merus, and Valentina Ramirez. For three years, Public Library Services at NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center has been working with Emily Schmitt Lavin, Ph.D., and her NSU student volunteers to present Science Alive! and STEM-related material to Broward County children. Dur- ing the school year, sessions are twice a month, but during the summer that cranks up to twice a week. “We are a joint-use library in partnership with the Broward County Board of County Commissioners,” said Anne Leon, M.L.S., executive director of Public Library Services at the Alvin Sherman Library. “Because of this unique relationship with the community, non-NSU students are not only welcomed but encouraged to make use of the library facilities—including younger students.” The programs are advertised in library publications, and flyers are sent to local schools. Kristina Knott, M.L.I.S., youth services librarian, works with Schmitt Lavin to recruit NSU faculty members and students for the Science Alive! sessions, and is hands-on arranging supplies and prepar- ing library staff members. Faculty mem- bers bring their own student volunteers. Summer is a busy time. “Twice-weekly programs can attract as many as 50 kids per session,” said Knott. “Usually eight to ten NSU students assist various science and math professors who volunteer to teach. While students are free to attend any particular session, many go for the whole summer.” And the program is growing, said Knott. In 2013, 55 students attended the after- school STEM programming. “In 2014, with the addition of STEM to our summer programming roster … along with an increased level of collaboration with our NSU partners (like Science Alive!), we saw that number jump tremendously— to 580 participants,” said Knott. “It increased by another 40 percent in 2015.” Popular topics include DNA extraction, sea turtle conservation, exploration of the human brain, the conduction of electricity, and pH testing. In addition to Schmitt Lavin, Knott cites sessions by NSU’s College of Psychology professor Leanne Boucher, Ph.D., who does the popular “I Lobe the Brain,” and Jason Gershman, Ph.D., chair and associate professor in the Department of Math- ematics at NSU’s Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography. In addition, faculty members, under- graduate and graduate students, and alumni from a variety of NSU colleges have assisted with sessions. “Here at NSU, faculty members and stu- dents are a phenomenal resource. That is what makes STEM programming at the Alvin Sherman Library unique,” said Knott. Knott, along with youth services librarian, Katharine Labuda, M.L.I.S., are at each session, and Leon often attends. “It’s so good to be there at that moment when the lightbulb goes on over their heads,” said Leon. Added Knott, “It’s a beautiful thing when a child comes to the first summer session, probably pushed by a parent. Slowly, grudgingly the student becomes inter- ested—and by the end is excited about science.” That’s when Knott will point at the kid and say, “Gotcha.” n BY JOHN DOLEN SCIENCE ALIVE! MAKES BOOK AT ALVIN SHERMAN LIBRARY