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, my courses often incorporate a service learning component.  The result of this course component is increased physics learning for both my students and those they help!

 

Some of our service learning projects . . . . .

 

 

 

 

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.

My students prepare and teach inquiry physics labs to high-needs urban high-school physics students. 

CHALLENGE AIR

Students from Physics of Medicine and introductory physics classes go to the downtown KC airport and participate yearly in a service project called “Challenge Air for Kids and Friends.” Challenge Air is a not-for-profit organization offering motivational, inspirational and life-changing experiences to physically challenged children and youth through aviation. Aviators share their private planes, and children and youth co-pilot these airplanes with the experts.  The Rockhurst physics students spend the day conducting fun physics activities (hovercraft rides, boomwhacker songs, magic sand fun, playing with slinkies, etc.) as well as act as “flight crew helpers” loading and unloading the children from the planes.  It is always a great day!