Introduction
As intern at BASF, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in organizing Science Day (Dag van de Wetenschap), an event dedicated to sparking children’s interest in science. Our journey began with a insightful conversation with my mentor, who encouraged me to take the lead in organizing the event. This was a significant challenge that I eagerly accepted, as it provided a chance to develop my skills and contribute to a meaningful initiative aimed at inspiring young minds.
Following my acceptance of the role, I sat down with my mentor to outline the structure of the event. We filled out the necessary organizational forms and began brainstorming activities that would engage children effectively. We focused on hands-on experiments that would not only be entertaining but also educational, with the goal of fostering genuine curiosity about science. Once we received confirmation from the organizing body, we initiated outreach efforts to recruit volunteers who would assist during the event. Crafting engaging emails, we emphasized the importance of their participation and the impact they could have on the children who are attending.
Next, we reviewed the inventory of materials used in previous years’ events to assess what could be reused and what still needed to be gathered. This inventory was crucial for planning, as it helped us create a solid plan for what we still needed. As my mentor has been doing it for years, she was full of ideas and experiences which of course helped me to understand and plan more effectively. A retro planning approach was implemented to track our progress and ensure we stayed on schedule. With our activities selected, we developed a comprehensive presentation that detailed each activity, including objectives, materials, and procedures. This presentation would serve as a guide for our volunteers, ensuring they understood their roles and what to expect on the day of the event.
To add an element of excitement, we arranged for a “Nutty Professor” to lead several captivating experiments. On the day of the event, children would have the opportunity to engage in both self-guided activities and demonstrations.
Hands-on experiments
The Fruits and Vegetables Challenge, where children explored the properties of various produce items, and the Vitamin C Test, allowing them to investigate the vitamin content in different juices.
The Nutty Professor
He performed four captivating experiments: Elephant Toothpaste, which showcased a dramatic chemical reaction; Lemon Volcanoes, where children created their own volcanoes using baking soda and vinegar; Lava Lamps, which demonstrated density and immiscibility; and the Super Absorber experiment, where kids observed how diapers (pampers) absorbed large amounts of colored water, illustrating the properties of super absorbent polymers.
Extra experiment
To ensure we were prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, we also planned a few extra experiments, such as Cooling with electricity, which could be quickly set up if time allowed or if any of the primary activities are finished early.
The event day
On the day of the event, we arrived early to set up the activity stations and ensure everything was in place. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as children began to arrive, eager to engage in the hands-on experiments we had prepared.
Witnessing the excitement on their faces as they participated in the activities was incredibly rewarding. The day unfolded smoothly, with children actively engaging in experiments and demonstrations, successfully achieving our educational goals. Overall, organizing Science day was a transformative experience that reinforced our passion for science education. It allowed us to develop essential skills in project management, teamwork, and community engagement, and we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to an event that inspires the next generation of enthusiasts.
FROM OUR BLOG
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