One of two teachers visiting the Center with their classes: "You
take them home, I want to stay here." Other teacher, "Let's get
the bus driver to take them back and we can both stay." Menu of topics:
(general description) (where)
(fee) (duration)
(group size) (goal)
(question sheets) (tours)
(gift shop) (copy exhibits)
(restrooms) (lunchroom)
(teacher preview) (scheduling
a visit, chaperones) (Planetarium) (other
places)
What IS "The Science Discovery Center of Oneonta"?
It is a "hands-on" science museum with over eighty simple science
activities for children (and adults) to do for themselves. They are designed
to be fun to do while enticing the user to think about the science involved.
They are also rather rugged in order to withstand enthusiastic unskilled
use.
Most of the activities involve simple physics. Many are made with common
everyday materials. A descriptive list of exhibits, arranged by topics,
is available from the Center.
But the best way to find out what we are is to come and see for yourself.
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Just where is the Center? Is there a convenient unloading space for the
bus?
As you approach the State College campus from West St., we are in the first
academic building on the right (the Physical Science Building), downstairs
in the basement. A large sign is in the window of the room directly above
us. A bus pull-out is at the same end of the building, so it is very convenient
to get off the bus, go directly into the building, and immediately go downstairs
through the clearly-labelled red doorway. The bus is then usually directed
to proceed on up the hill to park by the Service Building until the class
is ready to leave, but it is sometimes possible to get permission to leave
it in the pull-out.
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Is there an admission fee or user fee?
No. The Center is provided as a public service by the College. However,
the Center does not receive any direct financial support from the College
budget, but is supported completely by donations to the "SDC Fund,
SUNY-Oneonta Foundation." Donations in any amount are always welcome
to help us meet our expenses.
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What is the length of a typical class visit? What maximum number in group?
About one hour is a good length of time to allow for grades 3 to 7 and
for adults. However, 45 minutes or less seems to be better for younger elementary
classes (below 3rd grade, approximately) because of their limited manipulative
skills, and for secondary classes (8th through 12th) because of the distractions
of adolescence. (We observe that families visiting during our public hours
often stay two or three hours, have trouble getting the kids out, and come
back a few weeks later for more.)
Groups larger than about 60 or 70 tend to get in each other's way. Groups
of about 50 or less are better.
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What is gained from a visit to the Center?
The visitor acquires a rich array of direct, hands-on perceptions in a wide
variety of science topics. Not everyone "learns science" in this
informal exploratory setting, but everyone gets vivid science experiences
to remember and questions to ask. These experiences and perceptions will
form a good basis for later classroom teaching and learning.
Furthermore, this exploration is an enjoyable experience ("fun"),
which is a beneficial association with science and a valuable motivation
for later science learning.
What science is taught in the Center?
None, unless it is asked for rather explicitly. We do not wish to usurp
the teacher's place; we don't do any formal, class-style science teaching
in the Center unless the teacher requests it. We feel our principle rôle
is not to teach but to support the teacher by providing the students a collection
of enjoyable science experiences upon which the teacher can build. We will
feel that we have succeeded if the students return to class with some good
questions. Of course, we will answer direct questions from individuals on
an informal basis as the occasions arise, trying to adapt the level of the
explanation to what the individual seems ready for. But, as a general policy,
we will not give unasked-for explanations.
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What about prepared lists of questions for the students to answer in the
Center?
We do not recommend this, even though it seems like a good idea. Experience
in various other Science Centers around the country shows it seldom works,
and it kills curiosity-led exploration and the joy of spontaneous discovery.
If you feel the need to make some assignment based on the visit to the Center,
keep it as open-ended, unspecific, and creative as possible. Keep in mind
that the requirement to do something for the assignment should not inhibit
the opening of the mind which is possible with free, voluntary exploration
in the Science Center environment.
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Is there a preferred route through the set of exhibits? Will tours be guided?
No. We have repeatedly found that it is best to let the visitors go off
in what seems to be chaos. In about ten minutes most of them settle down
into some real explorations. It seems to maximize the benefits of the experience
if the visitors make their own spontaneous choices about what to do next.
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Is there a gift shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs and science things?
No. Even though a gift shop is often a valuable adjunct to a science museum,
we feel that in our situation it would detract from the experience. We are
a comparatively small science museum, and a space for selling things would
take away space we feel we can put to better use for exhibits. We also recognize
that there are some children who could not afford to buy things while their
classmates could. It would be contrary to our general philosophy to provide
a benefit to some but not to others. Their most valuable souvenirs of their
visit should be some vivid and pleasant memories and an urge to do science.
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Is it permissible for people to make copies of the Center's exhibits?
Definitely, yes. Many of our exhibits are deliberately made simple and with
readily-available materials. We hope that children and teachers will take
the ideas and make their own versions of whatever they are interested in.
If they think of an improvement, we hope they will tell us of it so that
we can consider incorporating it into our exhibit.
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Are there rest-room facilities nearby? and drinking fountains?
Better than "nearby", there are two restrooms, his and hers,
inside the Center, at the far end from the main entrance. Instead of drinking
fountains there are paper cup dispensers in the restrooms. There are also
other restrooms down the corridor from the Center, and upstairs.
Is there a place to eat the lunches the students bring with them?
In good weather there is a courtyard with benches between the Physical
Science and Home Economics Buildings. In case of bad or cold weather we
can make advance arrangements to use a large room with tables and chairs
in an older dormitory nearby.
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How can a teacher "pre-view" the Center?
The easiest way is to drop in (no appointment needed) during our normal
"public" hours, which are 12 noon to 4 pm on Thursdays, Fridays,
and Saturdays, even when college is not in session. In July and August,
1996, we will be open Monday through Saturday 12 to 4. We would appreciate
it if you could bring these public hours to the attention of your students
and their parents or guardians.
Of course, we also welcome teacher visits at any other time by mutually-convenient
arrangement. Call the Center (607-436-2011) to arrange an appointment.
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How can a teacher schedule a class visit to the Center? How many chaperones?
Call us (607-436-2011) to schedule a visit. If nobody is at the desk we
usually remember to turn on our answering machine so you can leave a message.
We'll get back to you to confirm the date.
Chaperones are welcome (and preferred), but we do not require them for the
Center. However, the teacher might find them useful on the bus trip. We
also know that some parents want to visit the Center, and would appreciate
being asked (!).
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What about scheduling visits to the SUCO Planetarium?
Planetarium visits are scheduled separately through the Physics Department,
607-436-3192, and are not available part of the year. If two large groups
are involved, a "criss-cross" scheduling can permit a visit to
both the Center and the Planetarium on the same trip.
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What other field trip opportunities are in the Oneonta area?
Field trips can be arranged to: