Two years from now the United States of America will celebrate its 250th anniversary. This momentous event will also celebrate the American spirit, marking our penchant for innovation and advancement.
Recently, I had the privilege of accompanying some incredible students on some impressive science experiments thanks to the Science and Industry Center (COSI) and its partnership with the Museum and Library Services Institute.
Bring me your science, your innovation
The day started with a trip to the Statue of Liberty. As many may know, the Statue of Liberty was a gift to the United States from France to commemorate the creation of our government. What some may not realize is that the island Lady Liberty occupies is itself a park.
At the event, called the American Innovation Learning Lunchbox STEAM Kit Distribution, students from the Special School of Music in Manhattan, New York, traveled by ferry to Liberty Island to participate in a private tour of the statue and the island, an interactive demonstration of the kits they would receive and specially made American innovation learning lunch boxes.
Once there, we climbed the long, narrow stairs of the Statue of Liberty, learning interesting facts about its construction, maintenance and importance. Afterwards, we gathered behind the statue to watch as Dr. Frederic Bertley, president and CEO of COSI, and Stephen White, vice president of External Affairs, Strategic Initiatives and Business Development, carried out three amazing scientific experiments, something we had never seen before. It had previously been done on Liberty Island.
During the second part of our day, I accompanied COSI to the Locke School of Arts and Engineering, where students gathered in the courtyard to watch Bertley and White conduct scientific experiments to the delight of young faces.
The best part was that each student, from both the Special School of Music and the Locke School of Arts and Engineering, received an American Innovation Learning Lunchbox so they could conduct their own experiments at home.
Bringing the wonder of science home
I had the opportunity to speak with Bertley about the importance of introducing science to students with an emphasis on hands-on learning.
“This event was a combination of several ideas,” Bertley said. “So at COSI we realized that, as much as we love our physical building, our bricks and mortar, our museums, thanks to the computers we have in our pockets, we have access to practically everything. So if you want to see and experience interesting things from 50, 100 or 200 years ago, you have to go to a museum. That's where the art was. “That’s where the practical activities were.”
Then, when the pandemic hit, COSI came up with an idea to keep students engrossed in science.
“When our doors closed and people couldn't come to COSI, we said, 'Let's put COSI in a box,'” Bertley said. “We created a water kit, a nature kit, a human body kit, a dinosaur kit, and with each iteration, we had a lot of support.”
And how did the idea of celebrating America's birthday come about?
“First of all, speaking of American innovation,” Bertley said, “we are celebrating 250 years of this great country. How wonderful it would be if we did (scientific experiments) on Liberty Island, in front of the Statue of Liberty, which is not just for the United States, but the global symbol of freedom, liberty and innovation. That's why we're here.”
The students enjoyed the day, the experiments and showed a real enthusiasm for the science they experienced. It is quite possible that within this group was the next influential scientist who will have been inspired by COSI and will help shape the next 250 years.
