Nancy L. Donaldson, PhD

Rockhurst University

SERVICE LEARNING:

 

The tenets of a Rockhurst education are learning, leadership and service.  In order to help develop these very important qualities in my physics students, I incorporate a service learning component in my courses.  My students prepare and teach inquiry physics labs to high-needs urban high-school physics students.  The result of this course component is increased physics learning for both my students and those they help!

 

 

SERVICE

WACKY SCIENCE NIGHT at Children’s Mercy Hospital

 

Students from Physics of Medicine and introductory physics classes visit Mercy Children’s Hospital to conduct a fun, hands-on science night for patients ranging in age from 4—16.  Hands-on activities include fun waves and sound demonstrations, a volcano, magnifying glasses, space phones, a “mystery” box, buoyancy tests and X-ray identification. 

FUN PHYSICS DAY AT HOGAN PREP

 

Physics students conduct an afternoon of interesting, hands-on physics activities at a local urban high school.  “Fun Physics Day was designed to demonstrate the wonderful subject of physics to over 100 high school freshman.  Activities included a ride on the hovercraft, dancing laser light, a “boomwacker” musical and a “singing” wine glass.

 

Following the afternoon of activities, high school students had a question and answer session with Rockhurst students to learn all about college life and science majors.