1 Great Idea + 20 Years = 1,000 Students

By Dr. Mary Daughrity

More than 1,000 students and their families have participated in the Family Math and Science Nights at James Elementary School since 1995. ENMU’s Elementary Methods students plan and create hands-on, mindson, learning stations for the evening. Family Math and Science Night promotes families learning math and science together with household materials. Instructional stations incorporate critical thinking skills with age-appropriate math and science concepts from the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards.

“Our 20-year efforts have seeded the state of New Mexico with educators who sponsor their own Family Math and Science Nights,” says College of Education and Technology faculty Dr. Jerry Everhart.

Dr. Everhart and colleague Dr. Mary Arth Daughrity supervised a dozen Elementary Methods students who managed the math and science activity stations for first and second grade students this spring. The students and their families explored four New Mexico-themed learning stations: (1) created chemistry models related to the Capulin volcano; (2) mapped spatial relationships in a replica of the Carlsbad Caverns; (3) used archeology skills with the Mystery Dig related to the Blackwater Draw near Portales; (4) predicted and created hot air balloon flights like Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta.

Current Elementary Methods student Chelsea Wain explains, “Working with future educators and getting students excited about math, science, and learning was so much fun. The night takes a lot of time and effort to plan, but the end result of seeing the students engaged in learning outside of school was so rewarding.”

ENMU’s Education Club, VOICES, assisted Elementary Methods students during Family Night by registering students and families and awarding door prizes. Volunteering at Family Night serves as informal and formal training ENMU’s future students.

Elementary Methods student Heather Petty says, “Math and Science Night was a great experience and a joy to be a part of. Interacting with the students and their parents at the same time was new for me as a future educator. This is something I will value and remember throughout my career.”

Judging from participants’ response, they will as well.