Unique Outreach Program Hosted by Long Island Delegation
Discovering the Universe: Mobile Classroom, the Vanderbilt’s successful science-outreach program, will visit the Long Island delegation at the State Capitol on Tuesday, February 2, from 9:00 to 12:00.
The Mobile Classroom, which is supported by the National Grid Foundation, takes science education to individual schools on Long Island and in Brooklyn and Queens, including under-served districts.
The visit will begin at 9:00 a.m. with an overview and briefing by museum and foundation officials in the conference room of Assemblyman Steve Engelbright of Assembly District 4 on Long Island.
Bob Keller, president of the National Grid Foundation; Lance Reinheimer, executive director of the Vanderbilt Museum; and Roger Ledgister, Vanderbilt science educator, will be on hand to discuss the features of the classroom. After the presentation, state legislators will tour the Mobile Classroom, which will be parked on the plaza in front of the capitol building.
The Mobile Classroom brings state-of-the-art technology and an engaging, professionally developed science and astronomy curriculum directly to students in grades 3-12, including under-served districts.
In just two years, since first hitting the road in early 2014, the Mobile Classroom has visited 39 schools and libraries, and 6,488 students.
“With school budgets tighter than ever, the Mobile Classroom brings the science ‘field trip’ to students and eliminates school transportation costs,” Lance Reinheimer said. The program also enhances STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) opportunities and aligns with New York State standards, he said.
The Classroom is a 37-foot recreational vehicle transformed into a dynamic learning center and staffed by highly trained science educators. The Classroom offers hands-on interactive exhibits that engage students in a way that is engaging, stimulating and fun. The five self-contained modules are Light, Telescope, Digital Imaging, 3-D Universe, and Gravity.
“The Mobile Classroom is the perfect way to help make astronomy cool and exciting to students,” said National Grid Foundation’s Bob Keller. “We are extremely pleased to be able to partner with the Vanderbilt and hope we were able to spark the curiosity of students and children all over Long Island to explore the Universe and excel in science.
“Helping children to become excited about science is one of the most critical educational priorities we have as a nation, and this stunning, traveling window into the universe has become a major resource for encouraging Long Island students to pursue careers in science.”
