Science at Your Door mobile laboratory unveiled

DNREC’s new state-of-the-art mobile science laboratory, Science at Your Door, was unveiled Oct. 31 at North Laurel Elementary School in a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Gov. Jack Markell, DNREC Secretary David Small and Secretary of Education Steven Godowsky.

They were joined by Laurel School District Superintendent Shawn Larrimore, EPA Region 3 Administrator Shawn M. Garvin, North Laurel Elementary School Principal David Hudson, local officials, teachers and scores of third graders, eager to explore the lab’s interactive science programs that feature watershed and ecosystem education.

The mobile science laboratory is part of Markell’s Children in Nature initiative that’s increasing opportunities for youth to take part in outdoor and environmental science activities both in school and out of school.

“Young people throughout Delaware have benefited from opportunities to experience nature and science – up close and personal through the Children in Nature initiative,” said Markell. “I am delighted to announce this mobile science laboratory that supports the goals of the initiative: to connect kids with nature, provide meaningful outdoor experiences and increase environmental literacy, all while nurturing an environmental ethic in our youth that can last a lifetime.”

Science at Your Door provides learning opportunities where students can experience first-hand, through observation and exploration, important scientific relationships and how personal decisions impact the health of the environment. The laboratory improves environmental literacy and increases student diversity and access to science and nature experiences – two goals shared by the Delaware Children in Nature initiative and the Chesapeake Bay Agreement, the document signed by Markell and five other governors in 2014 that sets goals that protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

“DNREC’s mobile science laboratory is an exciting way to teach environmental science to elementary, middle and high school students,” said Small. “The programs engage students through observing and interacting with the natural world – by providing authentic student experiences related to the everyday challenges we face in our environment, like finding solutions to improving water quality and reducing stormwater pollution. We appreciate the partnerships and funding with the Department of Education and EPA.”

The curriculum was developed by DNREC and the Delaware Department of Education to meet the Next Generation Science Standards and supports the Delaware Environmental Literacy Plan. The laboratory also supports Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics  Education in Delaware by familiarizing students with environmental professionals and subjects that will help prepare them for college and potential careers in STEM fields.

“This trailer allows Delaware educators and students an opportunity to embrace the goals of the Next Generation Science Standards,” said Godowsky. “By encouraging a hands-on and analytical approach to science, NGSS is promoting the type of deep learning in students that extends well beyond the classroom, leading to significant learning gains and positive changes for our students.”

The mobile science laboratory will travel to schools in Delaware’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed, including Laurel, Woodbridge, Seaford, and Delmar School Districts and other individual schools located in the watershed. More than 2,000 students in kindergarten through high school and their science teachers will be enrolled in the Science at Your Door program during the 2016-17 school year. Future plans are to expand the program to serve other schools located in the Delaware Bay, Piedmont and Inland Bays Watersheds.

“EPA is pleased to provide $225,000 in funding to Delaware for these kinds of programs - both inside and outside the classroom,” said Garvin. “

Science at Your Door programs include:

• The Power of Water – Students discover how mass and velocity affect the energy of moving water. Erosion and water pollution are used to illustrate the concepts.
• Watershed and Nonpoint Source Model EnviroScape – This interactive demonstration reveals the sources and effects of water pollution and allows students to find ways to prevent pollution. Students learn how stormwater runoff caries pollutants through the watershed and the best management practices to prevent runoff pollution.
• Waters of the Chesapeake – Students follow an imaginary water drop from Trap Pond to the Chesapeake Bay. The program includes exercises in outlining watersheds and a brief introduction to water quality testing, including pH, nitrate, phosphate, dissolved oxygen and turbidity to show the important of water management and pollution control.

The laboratory is collaboration among DNREC’s Divisions of Parks and Recreation and Watershed Stewardship and the Department of Education to provide scholarship-funded science education to students in Delaware’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Funding for the mobile science laboratory, supplies and student/teacher scholarships was provided by DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship through EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program.

For more information on DNREC’s mobile science trailer, contact Jonathan Wickert, chief of interpretation, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, at 302-739-9184 or William Koth, interpretive programs manager, Trap Pond State Park, at William.Koth@state.de.us or 302-875-5163.