"Charles Scaife is a chemistry
professor with one definite idea about how to turn youngsters on to the
world of science--it has to be hands-on."1 With that in mind, the emeritus professor from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and his wife, Priscilla, visit elementary schools and teacher conventions. At elementary schools they teach classes during the day on a schedule set up by the school's principal, conduct a teacher workshop on hands-on science activities, hold a Family Science Night for parents and students to work together on hands-on science activities, and conduct a parent/teacher workshop to teach them how to conduct a Family Science Night. At teacher conventions they lead teachers through hands-on activities to get them comfortable with that mode of teaching and teach them how to conduct a Family Science Night. "The school visits have two goals, according to Mr. Scaife. The first is to allow children and their parents to experience close up the sense of surprise that science can provide."1 The Scaifes truly believe in the words of the late Elaine Ledbetter, the 1967 James Bryant Conant Award in High School Chemistry Teaching winner and the 1972-73 National Science Teachers Association president, who said, "students are lamps to be lighted, not cups to be filled."2 " 'We're more concerned about communication between parent and child,' Mr. Scaife said in a recent interview. 'The interactive time gets them talking, and in the meantime, good science is taking place.' "1 "The second goal is to encourage teachers to be more
adventurous in the classroom"1
and to get students to DO SCIENCE. " 'I make sure the whole staff
attends workshops and have them try some of the hands-on activities,' he
said."1
REFERENCES 1. Education Week, Volume XVII, Number 15, December 3, 1997. 2. NSTA
Reports, Volume 13, Number 6, September, 2002, p. 59.
The assistance of Margaret
French in building this web site is gratefully acknowledged.
Charles and Priscilla Scaife
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