A host of inquiry-based science experiences for students, teachers, and the community planned May 6-8
Science Academy Programs
National Lab Day Event: MAY 6
National Lab Day Event: MAY 7
National Lab Day Web Site
Grand Rapids, Mich. (May 4, 2010) - The Van Andel Education Institute’s Science Academy is hosting a series of events to celebrate National Lab Day, a nationwide initiative to build local communities of support for science and bring inquiry-based science experiences to K-12 students.
“In practice, every day is ‘Lab Day’ at the Science Academy,” said Van Andel Education Institute (VAEI) Associate Director Marcia Bishop. “Our programs teach students, teachers, and community members how to think and act like scientists. Doing science is the important focus of National Lab Day.”
Launched in November 2009, National Lab Day is a collaboration between government and more than 200 public-and private-sector organizations representing more than 6.5 million professionals and educators. The initiative’s goal is to inspire future innovators and foster U.S. competitiveness by improving the quality of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education in America.
National Lab Day brings discovery-based science experiences to students by connecting them to hands-on learning and promoting thinking in laboratory settings throughout the year. The initiative will culminate each year with special events the first week of May.
The VAEI Science Academy’s National Lab Day events will provide inquiry-based science events for teachers, students, and other members of the community – a reflection of VAEI’s mission to reach a broad spectrum of the West Michigan community.
West Michigan science educators will have the opportunity to learn about VAEI’s programs, tour their facilities, and participate in a day of inquiry-based science.
On Thursday, May 6, tours for middle school educators will take place between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., and on Friday, May 7, teachers of fourth and fifth grade students will take part in an entire day of inquiry-based science immersion training.
On Saturday, May 8, the Science Academy will add a unique component to the Out-of-School-Time reunions held each year. Students in morning and afternoon sessions will invite an adult to their reunion to experience inquiry-based science along with the student. All events take place at the VAEI Science Academy facility at 216 N. Division in Grand Rapids.
These activities reflect various components of Science Academy programs such as the Out-of-School-Time Cohort Program, which trains groups of elementary and middle school students over a three-year period to think and act like scientists, Science on Saturday, in which students and an adult in their lives experience science together in one-day community programs held throughout the year, and Classroom Science Investigations, a professional development program in which teachers learn alongside their students.
“These activities reflect many of the Science Academy’s ongoing programs and allow us to touch a broad spectrum of the community,” said Bishop.
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About Van Andel Institute
Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996, Van Andel Institute (VAI) is an independent research and educational organization based in Grand Rapids, Mich., dedicated to preserving, enhancing and expanding the frontiers of medical science, and to achieving excellence in education by probing fundamental issues of education and the learning process. VARI, the research arm of VAI, is dedicated to probing the genetic, cellular and molecular origins of cancer, Parkinson and other diseases and working to translate those findings into effective therapies. This is accomplished through the work of over 200 researchers in 18 on-site laboratories, and in collaborative partnerships that span the globe. VAEI is dedicated to strengthening science education and preparing and motivating individuals to pursue science-related professions.
