Science Alive, a non-profit organization, started in the 2000s. Emily Schmitt Lavin, chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, wanted to promote STEM activities across elementary schools.
Schmitt Lavin, as well as Aarti Raja, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and The Current’s science/health desk adviser, used Science Alive to give more opportunities to their own children.
Now, Science Alive is working on its hydroculture initiative, which grows plants in gardens using water-based nutrients instead of soil.
“This gardening project started with the formation of Sigma Xi, which is the Research Honor Society. They have outreach grants. So we talked to one of the teachers at Nova Blanche Forman Elementary School and she wanted to grow gardens inside,” Schmitt Lavin said.
They enjoyed the project so much that they wanted to spread the hydrogardens across campus. There are more than 20 hydrogardens in places like the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center, the Department of Biological Sciences, the Panza Maurer Law Library and NSU University School.
The next goal is to get them in the residential halls like The Commons.
Science Alive also became a club at NSU last year. Pranav Madadi, senior double major in chemistry and biology, is the president of the Science Alive club. He helped get the funding to start the club because he became interested in the hydrogardens.
“It’s super easy to use. I’m terrible at gardening, but anyone can use one of those hydrogardens. You don’t even have to worry about planting, because it comes in pre-seeded pots. All you do is put in a little water, a little plant food every two weeks,” Madadi said. “It’s a really easy way to promote sustainability, as I say. You can just get your veggies right then and there.”
Science Alive also regularly visits Nova Blanche Forman Elementary School to teach students about different topics, including hydroculture, astronomy, physics and ecology.
Vir Patel, senior biology major and physics group leader of Science Alive, enjoys going to the school because it helps connect him with the community. He remembers during one session, students got excited when he made his hair stand up using a balloon.
“It gives you a very unique opportunity to just connect with the community, help these kids find their passions,” Patel said.
Ohm Patel, senior biology major and kinesiology group leader of Science Alive, not related to Vir Patel, once did an activity with a Hot Wheels track and remembers how excited the students were.
“It’s moments like that where you feel like you made an impact on someone. For us, it doesn’t matter that they can do whatever they want. They can go into the STEM field or do any other interest, but it’s really to make an impact on someone. For me, that’s the most important thing.”
For more information:
Students interested in Science Alive can send an email to Lickchina Jeanlis, senior public health major and Science Alive treasurer, at lj939@nova.edu
Be the first to comment on "Science Alive reaches community with hydrogardens and other efforts"