In two years the United States of America will celebrate its 250th birthday. This momentous event will also celebrate the American spirit, marking our penchant for innovation and advancement.
Recently, I had the privilege of accompanying some amazing students for some awe-inspiring science experiments thanks to the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) and their partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Bring Me Your Scientific, Your Innovative
The day began with a trip to the Statue of Liberty. As many may know, the Statue of Liberty was a gift to the U.S. by way of France to commemorate the creation of our government. What some may not realize is that the island that Lady Liberty occupies is, itself, a park.
The event, dubbed the American Innovation Learning Lunchbox STEAM Kit Distribution, saw students from the Special Music School in Manhattan, New York, travel by ferry to Liberty Island to take part in a private tour of the statue and island, an interactive demonstration of the kits they would receive, and special-made American Innovation Learning Lunchboxes.
Once there, we made our way up the lengthy, narrow stairs of the Statue of Liberty, learning interesting facts about its construction, maintenance, and importance. Afterward, we convened behind the statue to watch as Dr. Frederic Bertley, COSI President and CEO, and Stephen White, VP of External Affairs, Strategic Initiatives, and Business Development, conducted three amazing science experiments, something which has never been done before on Liberty Island.
For the second part of our day, I accompanied COSI to the Locke School of Arts and Engineering, where the students gathered in the yard to watch Bertley and White conduct science experiments to the delight of the young faces.
The best part was that each student, both from Special Music School and Locke School of Arts and Engineering, received an American Innovation Learning Lunchbox so they could conduct their own experiments at home.
Bringing the Wonder of Science Home
I had the opportunity to speak with Bertley about the importance of introducing students to science with an emphasis on hands-on learning.
“This event was a mashup of several ideas,” said Bertley. “So we at COSI realized that, as much as we love our physical building, our bricks and mortar, our museums, because of the computers we have in our pockets, we have access to pretty much everything. So if you want to see and experience cool stuff from 50, 100, 200 years ago, you have to go to a museum. That’s where the art was. That’s where the hands-on activities were.”
Then, when the pandemic hit, COSI came up with an idea to keep students engrossed in science.
“When our doors were closed and people couldn’t come to COSI, we said, ‘We’re going to put COSI in a box,’” Bertley said. “We created a water kit, a nature kit, a human body kit, a dinosaur kit, and with each iteration, we had a lot of support.”
And how did the idea to celebrate America’s birthday come to be included?
“First, talking about American innovation,” said Bertley, “We’re celebrating 250 years of this great country. How great would it be if we did [science experiments] at Liberty Island, in front of the Statue of Liberty, which is not just for the United States, but the world’s symbol of freedom, liberty, and innovation. That’s why we’re here.”
The students enjoyed the day, the experiments, and showed a real enthusiasm for the science they experienced. It may very well be that within this group was the next influential scientist who will have been inspired by COSI and will help shape the next 250 years.
