Service learning experience: Math & Science night

The math and science night at Los Medanos Elementary was an amazing and unforgettable experience. Ms. Moreno stated, "I even thought you guys (the highschool students) were having more fun than the kids themselves!"Which I even thought so as well!

In planning what experiment to do, we went through so many ideas that were facinating such as making ice cream (which ended being taken by another group), rainbow sand, exploding eggs, projecting CDs, and even exploding soap... all ideas rejected with the kids in mind. What would engage the kids? What will make them interact? We all thought. Then Caitleen (S/O to Caitleen) introduced the idea of mixing corn starch and water to make the "Sololsquid" (which is the words 'Solid' and 'Liquid' combined together).

At the fair, being surrounded by so many other students hustling around trying to get their stations set up as soon as possible pumped my group and I with energy. Even though we arrived an hour before the start of the fair, we were nearly panicking to make everything seem perfect. The panicking was a fun kind of panicking. We finished setting up with 30 minutes to spare, and in that time, our group started exploring other tables and we even made a video dancing with people from other groups.
 (screen shot of other people dancing, while we dance as well behind camera). During the fair, I felt

like our table's thunder was stolen by the other uber-amazing groups, which was okay! Many children and parents still came to our table causing us to handle this back to back, the rush was great. I loved interacting with the students and the parents. It all came naturally. I did notice that I would talk in friendlier and higher tone than usual.

The participants were fully engaged. They asked many questions on what our substance was, how it does what it does, and why. When they interacted, their eyes lit up with excitement knowing they loved it since they asked to take some home. My teammates, as was I, was very immersed and focused. Talking back and forth with multiple people and handling set for multiple people as well.

As I would explain what the science was behind the substance, I knew that the information would stick with the children. Another thing besides the science behind the project that the children got out of attending our station, is good memories and experiences. For most of them, it was their first time seeing the cornstarch & water concoction. And the fact we gave them that first experience, It was priceless.

Something I personally gained from going through is experience is a wider option of jobs I can apply to. From going to this fair, I learned how to talk and deal with children. I have many experience working with professional adults even in an office/business setting, but not so much with children. The way to talk is different and the gestures you make is different as well. Talking to the kids and guiding them has given me a new skill set that I will utilize for more job opportunities like tutoring or baby sitting, not only older people jobs!

SHOUT OUTS!!!!
SHOUT OUT TO CAITLEEN FOR HELPING WITH THE POSTER, SET UP, AND COMING UP WITH THE IDEA.

SHOUT OUT TO MARAHYA FOR BEING A REAL ONE AND CONSTANTLY RE-FILLING THE CUPS FOR US TO USE WHEN A NEW KID WOULD SHOW UP, AND ALSO FOR SPEAKING SPANISH TO THAT ONE DAD AND KID WHO NEEDED HELP.

SHOUT OUT TO KEVIN FOR BRINGING US WET PAPER TOWELS WHEN WE RAN OUT OF BABY WIPES.

SHOUT OUT TO MS.MORENO FOR BUYING OUR SUPPLIES AND GIVING US THIS AMAZING EXPERIENCE.

SHOUT OUT TO ANGELA FOR GIVING ME A RIDE TO THE EVENT, WIPING ALL THE PIE TINS WHEN A KID WOULD BE FINISHED, TAKING OUT THE TRASH REGULARLY, AND TENDING TO EVERY CHILD AND PARENT EASILY.