Symbi, Iowa's first GK-12 Program is a partnership between Iowa State University and the Des Moines Public School District. Symbi is funded by the National Science Foundation to support Iowa State University graduate students (Fellows) conducting interdisciplinary research in areas associated with biorenewables. Each Fellow works collaboratively with a selected middle school science teacher to leverage the Fellow's research experiences as they develop innovative and engaging science activities for middle school students. The Fellows spend one full day every week throughout the public school year in a Des Moines middle school science classroom performing the duties of a "resident scientist" as they interact with their partner teacher and students. Symbi is a response to President Obama's call to the nation's scientists to "spend time in the classroom, talking and showing young people what it is that your work can mean and what it means to you […] to think about new and creative ways to engage young people in science and engineering."

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Students Gain Knowledge in Glass

On November 2, six students from Luke Spencer's eighth grade science class visited the Iowa State University campus. Their mission was to learn more about the complex research their fellow, Christian Bischoff does.

Bischoff, a doctoral candidate in Materials Science and Engineering, planned various events for the students all involving glass - an integral part of his research. 

Spencer and the students Skype called their class during parts of the day to update them on their adventures. 

One stop of their day was to the Glass Shop. While there, Trond Forre showed the students some of his works for various departments on campus as well as how Pyrex can be molded and the various parts of fiber optic cables.


Symbi Fellow, Christian Bischoff  with partner teacher, Luke
Spencer and 8th graders from Harding Middle School learn
about the various items that glassblower, Trond Forre, creates.


This stop really impacted one of the Harding eighth graders.

"The glass shop was a cool experience - seeing how all the glass is made," said April, one of the Spencer's students that made the trip to Ames.

Additionally, the students spent the afternoon in Bischoff's laboratory. They Skype called their class again to touch base, saw some of the technologies that Bischoff uses daily, and then got the experience to make their own glass. 
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