Inspiring AP Biology Project for Abused Children

[max111]

For a school project, I am going to visit a local summer program for abused children and am going to bring supplies for and guide them through several simple (elementary to middle school level) experiments and presentations. The one problem is, it is supposed to inspire these kids. I made a list of all of the simple experiments and projects I witnessed (yes, even the volcano) when I was in elementary school, and I thought of most of them as rather uninspiring. If the goal is to inspire these kids to consider going to college and pursuing studies in the sciences, I doubt that these experiments will accomplish the goal. I am considering hosting a brick-building competition with prizes during the week of "science camp." I have plenty of five-minute demonstrations (i.e. the "reaction time" dollar bill catching demonstration), but I have nothing that is truly inspiring. I want to make a difference, but when I think about the odds of actually doing so, I become intimidated. I plan to "put in 110%" effort into this projects, but I am feeling a bit hesitant as to whether this project is the best place to focus my efforts.

In short, should I do this project? If so, do you have any suggestions (maybe give an example of something that inspired you in middle or elementary school)?

 

[Kushal]

i have no concrete examples, but i find astronomy related scientific stuffs very inspiring.

find experiments or other scientific materials about the beauty of the universe, the stars, the planets, and all the phenomenons,...!

 

[chemisttree]

The most memorable science experience in my youth was one the class did using baby food jars, grass clippings, water and a microscope. One jar was left open for a week with the grass clipping and water and another was tightly closed. We looked at a drop of water a week later from each jar under the scope. We left the jars for another 2 weeks and analyzed a drop from each again and noted the changes in the populations and species.

WOW! Seeing those critters myself for the first time from something I put together really made an impression. I still flash back to that first experience when I see a drawing of a paramecium in a book. It made studying Biology really interesting... even years and decades later.